Give 1000 Rural Children an English Education

In this quarterly report, Pat McCarthy speaks with Daniel , a student from rural China, where school dropout rates can reach as high as 50%. Like many others in his community, Daniel’s parents never had the opportunity to attend university, yet he managed to beat the odds. Daniel spent 11 years at the I love Learning Education Centre in Changtu County, a charity registered with the Ministry of Education and Ministry of Civil Affairs in the People's Republic of China. 

In this interview series, he shares his personal struggles and highlights the importance of learning English for children in rural areas. Daniel credits his time studying English at the Ireland Sino Institute with helping him graduate from high school and secure admission to a top-ranking university in China.

In the interview, Pat said, “As you are one of the students who beat the odds, because the dropout rates in rural China are very high… you know, when we see a student like you come through our doors, finish all our courses, and graduate from university — that’s what makes all the difference. You are a product of our mission.”

In response to Pat's questions on obstacles facing rural Chinese children, Daniel replied "Of course, there are obstacles. High-quality English education is much more common in big cities, so I’ve always known I had to put in extra effort and dedication to compete with kids who have greater learning opportunities and outcomes. I’ve been working hard, and the I Love Learning Education Centre — the Ireland Sino Institute’s philanthropic arm — has helped me a lot along the way.”

Pat concluded the interview with an important message:

And um, and it’s just because of success stories — like, if we didn’t have any success stories like Daniel, then we wouldn’t be here at all. So, this is proof that what we’ve been doing here, um, was right, and that it was the right choice. And that, um, and you’re also a role model for all newcomers here. You know, you are an old-timer. When the newcomers meet the old-timers, they’re inspired. They see what the end game is, you know, they see — okay, they see the light at the end of the tunnel, you know, they see, you know, a good university, they see a good job. So, you’ve provided hope to millions of students in China. So, thank you very much.

With your help, we can create many more success stories like Daniel. Together, we can continuously improve our programs, hire high-quality international and local experts, and advance education in rural China. Your generous donations make it possible for rural Chinese students to access the same high-quality education available in urban areas, opening doors for millions who might otherwise drop out of school at a very young age.

Note: In order to protect the privacy and identity of the interviewee, we have used  a pseudonym. The Project Leader has agreed to reveal his full name.

To view the full interview with Daniel, please follow this YouTube link: 

China Charity And Philanthropy: Against All Odds

Links:

• Pat McCarthy's Full Interview With a Rural Chinese Student