Love on the roof of the world: Growing up with Tibetan orphans
Updated 19:03, 01-Jan-2020
CGTN Mi Xue, Fu Gaoliang
12:19

On August 1, 2019, a group of volunteers with the project "Growing up with you" set off from Beijing to Lhasa, Tibet Autonomous Region. They were on a mission and their endeavor was unique: organizing a flash mob with Tibetan orphans at the Potala Palace square to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China.

Children prepare for a flash mob show at the Potala Palace square, southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region, August 8, 2019. /CGTN Photo

Children prepare for a flash mob show at the Potala Palace square, southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region, August 8, 2019. /CGTN Photo

The week-long rehearsals were an exercise in discipline and commitment, and opened a window into the lives of Tibetan orphans and the reality of their situation. Through candid moments and one-on-one interviews with orphans, their caretakers and volunteers, this documentary shows a side of Tibet you've never seen before.

Children at an orphanage in southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region. /CGTN Photo

Children at an orphanage in southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region. /CGTN Photo

This project, developed by Zhang Yuan, visits one of orphanages in Tibet each year to help Tibetan orphans gain confidence through courses in marital arts, brush calligraphy and so on.

Zhang Yuan, founder of "Growing up with you" project. /CGTN Photo

Zhang Yuan, founder of "Growing up with you" project. /CGTN Photo

The unique flash mob was performed by these Tibetan orphans at the Potala Palace Square on August 8, 2019.

Zhang Yuan said these orphans were the  "children of our country." The project wants children to be thankful for what they have through organizing the show.

Children during a martial arts class in southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region. /CGTN Photo

Children during a martial arts class in southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region. /CGTN Photo

Wang Mei, a stay-at-home mom, who has never been to Tibet before, gave the caring mothers a questionnaire to find out what they really want to learn about in her course before the voluntary trip. She found many of the caregivers were very emotional. "A lot of them feel very guilty because they cannot balance their jobs and families," said Wang.

Wang Mei, volunteer teacher with "Growing up with you" project. /CGTN Photo

Wang Mei, volunteer teacher with "Growing up with you" project. /CGTN Photo

Wang Mei wants to help these caregivers by giving them a sense of happiness and confidence, and also a sense of awe for their job through the positive psychology course.

Children pose for a group photo with volunteer teacher Wang Mei in southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region. /CGTN Photo

Children pose for a group photo with volunteer teacher Wang Mei in southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region. /CGTN Photo

Yangcuo, 15, lives in the orphanage with a dream of being a good psychologist. She hopes to help people who have been keeping their psychological pressure inside. "Life is more bitter than sweet. People have to practice in life. Life is meaningful when we suffer pain in our lives," said the girl.

A girl during a calligraphy class of the project in southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region. /CGTN Photo

A girl during a calligraphy class of the project in southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region. /CGTN Photo

Hou Meihan, 15, one of the high school student volunteers during this trip, taught children how to draw a mind map to help open their minds and expand their horizons. It also allowed her to get up close to the essence of education.

Children during a singing class at an orphanage in Lhasa, southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region. /CGTN Photo

Children during a singing class at an orphanage in Lhasa, southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region. /CGTN Photo

Director: Mi Xue

Editor: Mi Xue

Filmed by Fu Gaoliang

Designer: Qu Bo

Text by Mi Xue

Copy editors: Xuyen Nguyen, Nadim Diab

Producer: Wen Yaru

Chief editor: Pei Jian

Supervisor: Zhang Shilei