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Although school enrollment rates are generally high in China, completion rates vary considerably between eastern to western regions. The school drop out phenomenon continues in China's impoverished western areas, particularly for girls.
To help those unschooled children, UNICEF, the United Nations Children's Fund has joined hands with Audi China, one of the world's top car makers. They aim to equip the children with life skills, to further help them reach their potential. CSM has more.
To help children who are out of school in China's western regions, UNICEF and Audi China have joined together to initiate the "Driving Dreams" project. Starting next year, the project is to build 150 Learning Centres in villages within 5 years, spreading across 10 provinces and autonomous regions in western China.
15-year-old Zhang Rongfa is from a remote village in Guizhou, a mountainous province in western China. He has not been in school for 5 years, when his father died and both his mother and elder sister ran away from home for the unbearable pressure of making a living.
Instead of re-entering school, his dream is to lead a better life using some practical skills.
"Currently I'm supporting myself by farming sweet corns and potatoes at home. My dream is to learn techniques such as driving or building rooms, to earn more money, and to better feed myself when I grow up."
His dream could be made true at the learning center under the Driving Dream project.
Each Learning Centre will be equipped with a computer, books on science and agriculture, as well as sports equipment. Teachers will teach children who have been out of school in basic life and production skills.
From 2006 Audi China will provide no less than 100 thousand US dollars for the establishment and operation of these learning Centers each year.
It's estimated 30,000 out-of-school children will benefit, and as many as 100,000 children and family members will be influenced by the project.
UNICEF China Representative Christian Vumard says the center is especially focused on life skills. These skills are the most essential and practical for children who have been out of school for years.
"The program will be to provide a mixture of general education and then link it with practical skills and some life skills, may be related to farming or other actions that they can do there. So you bring them and equip them in a way that they will be more able to have a happy life wherever they decide to stay."
The project also pays particular attention to sports activities. It provides sports equipments and games for the children - those who show great potential will be sent to sports schools for further training.
The China Association for Science and Technology is to implement the program nationally.
Meng xin from the China Association for Science and Technology says the sports activities are expected to have a profound impact on children.
"Group sports are especially helpful to encourage team spirit, leadership and problem-solving skills in children. We believe this will help lift their confidence and self-expectations, and further motivate them to achieve success in their lives."
To gain more support, a Charity Night for Children has been organized by Audi China. Some big enterprises have joined the fundraising, and hopefully, the 'Driving Dream' project will inspire children to "drive their dreams into the future".
CSM, CRI news.
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