Ningbo Foreign Ladies Group (NFLG) sent charitable supplies to Fenghua Banxi Kindergarten.
In late February, expats from Ningbo Foreign Ladies Group (NFLG) sent charitable supplies as back-to-school gifts to Fenghua Banxi Kindergarten, where 85% of the children come from families of migrant workers and lack teaching resources.
Last November, Andrea and Rashel, NFLG representatives, reached journalists of Ningbo Evening News with the intention of giving treats to children in need. Connections were soon built up between the NFLG and the Dream Weavers Preschool Education Public Welfare Alliance (a group contributing to preschool education for over nine years). The ladies communicated directly with children about what they prefer to have after establishing links with the kindergarten.
"Children told us LEGO and DIY supplies are the most wanted," Andrea stated. Thus, in order to strengthen children’s social interactions, logical thinking and communicating skills through toy education, items like hand dolls, music instruments, wooden puzzles, etc. were also prepared. The giving treat was transferred from New Year gifts to the new semester's welcoming gifts after being postponed by COVID-19.
On February 24th, 2022, Andrea, together with Julie, finally sent gifts and gave introductions of this wide range of toys to Banxi Kindergarten. The director of Banxi Kindergarten, Chen Yuanxian, on behalf of all the children and staff, expressed sincere appreciation for the donations of the NFLG and sent back a gift created by children for their kindness.
"Being a mother myself, I would love to help children in need," said Andrea, who came from Germany and settled in Ningbo in 2004. This is also one of the reasons why ladies from the NFLG keep contributing to the Ningbo charity, especially for women and children. To prepare this donation for Banxi Kindergarten, the ladies initially donated their membership fees for toy purchases and invited some local companies to join their enterprise. They also organized other charitable activities. For example, offering English lectures in an art school in Haishu District, helping women in Nepal, sending "shoeboxes" (filled with gifts) to children in South Africa, etc.
Originally launched in 2004, the organization was formally named NFLG in 2009. This group now has over 150 members, including Ningbo foreign ladies and local friends as well. They organize regular meetings each month and participate in charitable events. To celebrate the incoming International Women’s Day, an event of wearing traditional Chinese dress, cheongsam, and supporting local women is jointly organized by the NFLG and the Ningbo Charity Federation.
Also, vital assistance has been offered from the Dream Weavers Preschool Education Public Welfare Alliance. According to the philosophy (or hope) of this alliance, everyone could join in its charitable activities and contribute to the Ningbo preschool education. By organizing charitable activities, such as the TESLA showcase where children approached the state-of-the-art technology, rural schools in Ninghai County and Xiangshan County received further assistance from the alliance and the society.
Gong Yuhong, an 8-year target group researcher for this alliance, helped locate candidate kindergarten(s), held deep conversations with the NFLG and director of Banxi Kindergarten, and summarized the supplies suitable for children’s education. It is difficult to enroll in the list of qualified kindergartens that accept donations as many kindergartens from rural areas in Ninghai County and Xiangshan County require further assistance.
“One most important requirement is that, in terms of professionalism and enthusiasm, the principal involved should be willing to improve the education and welfare of children," Gong emphasized. "I’ve known Principal Chen for years, and she’s passionate and dedicated to the education and welfare of children." To Gong, her philanthropic passion to assist children with poor teaching resources and learning environment was triggered by encountering charitable events held by the welfare alliance. This female teacher of Junlinfu Kindergarten in Fenghua District voluntarily joined the alliance. Since then, she has been in charge of information collection and field research of kindergartens which require further assistance on teaching resources and the learning environment.
To ensure that rural children receive equal education and learning environments as well as teaching resources, the NFLG, the welfare alliance, and many other warm-hearted people contribute to related charitable events. In this respect, more information-sharing platforms or channels need to be established for people in want of further assistance. With contributions from local charity organizations and society, Ningbo's philanthropy has been thriving with great promises.
Reporter: Mei Jie
Proofreaders: Puyang Rong, Huang Dawang, Jason Mowbray