Mountain teacher opens art’s door to left-behind kids

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CGTN

The Xiansheng School of Art and Craft is a non-profit organization founded by Chinese artist Xin Wangjun. It is designed to help left-behind children in China’s remote areas embrace their artistic spirits.

In 2016, Xin established the first Xiansheng School of Art and Craft in frontier Lianghe county, southwest China’s Yunnan Province. Lianghe county is an agricultural area lying dozens of kilometers from the Sino-Myanmar border area.

The School of Art and Craft in Lianghe county, southwest China's Yunnan Province

A lot of young Chinese people move to big cities, leaving the elderly and children at home.

Feng Yuqiong, 22, is different. She is an art teacher at the School of Art and Craft. “The Xiansheng School of Art and Craft is a place fulfilling my childhood dream,” she said.

In September 2017, Feng went to the mountains by motorcycle to teach art to 60 students at Qingping primary school in Mangdong town, Lianghe county of Dehong Prefecture in Yunnan Province.

Feng Yuqiong teaches art in the mountains.

Only seven teachers taught lessons in the school. None specialized in art or music. If she hadn't been there teaching, the art classroom would have been locked up.

Feng prepared many songs for students to sing at her first class. To her delight and surprise, all the children joined her in singing “Flying Worm.”

Feng sings "Flying Worm" with children.

She wants the children to feel happy and free, and love nature while opening up their imaginations. By teaching the children to paint by rubbing and printing leaves on paper, she wants them to learn that getting in touch with nature is something to be proud of.

A student’s artwork at Qingping primary school

She sang the song “You Are My Sunshine” to all the children because they light up her days, giving her the courage and will to keep teaching in the mountains. “Their smiling faces are the best sugar I have ever eaten,” said Feng.

Feng Yuqiong and children

She fondly recalls the environment of her childhood, when she lived in her grandmother’s house on the mountain. She caught crabs and fish in the river and fed ducks. Nature remains her source of inspiration. She is especially good at painting flowers and plants.

"Plexus Grass" by Fengyuqiong

Feng was ill during her primary school years. When she was a high school sophomore, she got caught up in an accident and spent some time in a coma. She was depressed after this and found communicating with others difficult.

"The bicycle in the Xiansheng School of Art and Craft" by Feng Yuqiong

However, embracing painting and nature helped her feel stronger and everything took a positive turn when she joined the Xiansheng School of Art and Craft as a volunteer teacher. The first painting she created in the Xiansheng School of Art and Craft was later exhibited in a small town in France.

Printing leaves on paper made by Feng and children

In the future, she hopes to invite local high school students to clean up the School of Art and Craft and enhance the sense of community among youngsters.

Feng Yuqiong draws the "door of time travel" on the wall with children

Feng drew a "time travel door" on the wall, and hopes to lead children through it. She is determined to continue working at the Xiansheng School of Art and Craft because only by doing so can she make a difference to local education.

The story is one in The 1.3 Billion series exploring the diverse lives that make up China.