Give 1000 Rural Children an English Education

On November 13th and 14th, 2025, the Ireland Sino Institute in Liaoning Province—whose philanthropic arm is the I Love Learning Education and Training Centre in Changtu County—hosted the Ireland Speech Festival, an event created to give rural Chinese children something many of them have never truly had before: a public voice, a sense of dignity, and the chance to be heard beyond the borders of their village. 

In communities where opportunity is scarce, children often grow up believing their dreams are too small or too distant. This festival was designed to challenge that feeling—to show each child that their ideas, their stories, and their hopes are worthy of being shared. With your support, we transformed a simple speech contest into a moment of empowerment for hundreds of young people.

Students spent weeks preparing. They researched Ireland, wrote their own speeches, and recorded practice versions for feedback. But what mattered most was not the English itself—it was the confidence that grew with every word. Rural children who had once whispered in classrooms stood tall on stage, speaking clearly, proudly, and bravely.

Many travelled from remote villages, some waking long before dawn and crossing long distances in the cold. They did not arrive as competitors—they arrived as representatives of their families and communities, carrying quiet determination and deep pride. For many parents, watching their child speak publicly in English was a profoundly emotional moment. It showed them that their children are capable of more than their circumstances suggest.

Participants also joined from Shenyang and Hubei, demonstrating that the desire for opportunity reaches far beyond county lines. Each child received a small Irish souvenir—symbolic not of charity, but of respect, a reminder that the world cares about their future.

A moving highlight came when Pat McCarthy, Chair of the Ireland Sino Institute, recited Seamus Heaney’s “Scaffolding.” The poem echoed the purpose of the festival: to build strong foundations under every child—foundations of belief, dignity, and possibility.

Your generosity helps build these foundations. Through our philanthropic arm, I Love Learning Education and Training Centre, we work to reduce educational inequality by giving rural children the skills, confidence, and international exposure that poverty has long denied them. English becomes not just a subject, but a tool for self-worth and a bridge to opportunity.

The festival gave rural Chinese children a meaningful chance to practise English, build confidence, and feel pride in their learning.This boost in confidence strengthened their motivation to stay in school and continue their studies.These experiences directly supported our goal of providing 1,000 children with quality English education. 

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 Thank you for standing with the children of rural China.

 Because of you, their voices are not only heard—they are valued.

Links:

• Ireland Speech Festival November 2025 WeChat Official Source