Renqingxiangjia teaches Chinese, computer skills (but without access to the Internet), and mathematics to different grades; he works 10 hours a day for 10 consecutive days, followed by four days off, for a meager 600 yuan a month. In these conditions, it's easy to see why he is still single…

Nine-year compulsory education has reached 99 percent in Tongren County, while in the countryside, only 85 percent of the children complete primary school, aside from the compulsory middle school. Why is that?

The main difficulty, said Xiawujingmei, the headmaster, is transportation. There is no road from the county center to Lancai Tanglhaka Jixiao School, which sits on top of the mountain, at almost 4,000 meters above sea level and 70 km from Tongren. The only way to make the distance to the school is by motorcycle, which takes three hours. When it rains or snows, it's impossible to climb, up or down. That is why teachers have to stay at school for 10 consecutive days, living in tents.

The school was also a tent before. Now, a wooden structure has been built. But there is no heating in classrooms or even in dormitories! In winter, the temperature plummets to -20 to -30oC! Only the sunshine, bright in the unpolluted sky, can save the situation in the daytime. "Why don't you install a stove in each classroom?" I asked the headmaster. "First, because coal bricks cost 500 yuan a ton. Second, how can you transport coal up there without a road?" - "But why isn't there a road?" I continued to ask. Xiawujingmei had a ready answer, as he has dealt with the problem for years. "A part of the road was built last year, and there is a project to finish it within three years." Qinghai is huge and many roads have yet to be completed. The road to Lancai School belongs to two counties, Tongren and Guide. Its accomplishment will benefit many. People will be able to leave their mountains, to receive commercial goods from outside, and more children will be able to return home after school. Stoves will possibly be delivered to the school, too.

I suggested to the headmaster that electric heaters be installed instead, which is a clean energy. That had been discussed, also. "Power costs 0.8 yuan per kWh (in Beijing, 0,48), and the power plant would have to be remade completely."

How can children survive and learn in such cold temperatures? "They just freeze," admitted Renqingxiangjia, who also had undergone such a situation when he was a child, as well as many other Qinghai adults I met. "The poor kids' cheeks and hands are burned by the cold; their skin cracks and takes on a terrible dark hue. They don't even have warm clothes to wear, such as good shoes and gloves," Renqingxiangjia explained. "And they don't eat enough," added Xiawujingmei. Some children simply can't attend school in winter.

The headmaster and the teacher were not complaining to me. They were only answering my questions. They didn't try to manipulate my emotions and they didn't ask for any help. The same day, the president of Lancai Primary School and three other schools met me as a "guest from afar" who pays special attention to education, and what he said only confirmed what I had heard before.

That evening, I slept in Longwu Temple where the monk Losang, Renqingxiangjia's cousin, offered me his room. In fact, I could not sleep. In that instant I knew why I had to come to Tongren, why Tongren had called me, and I swore to myself that I would help Lancai School. I can't do everything, but there is one thing I can do: raise funds to send a set of warm underwear to each of the children; collect woolen clothing and coats for 270 children from families who have grown-up children; find a shoe factory willing to sell at a special price (or donate?) 270 pairs of shoes; find ladies with time on their hands to knit mittens and gloves, socks, hats, and sweaters with the wool I will buy; and even more. I swear that not one yuan gathered from this campaign will be misused. The total amount will be used to provide clothing for the children. No administrative fees will be taken from this effort. Instead, I personally will assume the expenses of the mailing and transportation of the goods.

I made a promise to myself and also to Tongren Lancai School, and I will keep it. I believe several good-hearted readers will contact me for donations (material or money). The Beijing Olympics have just ended. We are still wrapped in the glory of China, and the success of the Games has opened people's hearts. In our "one dream" we have become "one world." Winter is coming soon to Qinghai, and this campaign begins now! Your help can be offered through < carducci_lisa@yahoo.fr > .

***

In this campaign, I solicited the help of Project Hope as an organization advisor. Project Hope granted me an authorization certificate to conduct this campaign. Donors can also sponsor a child in the primary school through Project Hope and ask specifically for a child to be assisted at Tongren Lancai School (同仁县兰采唐拉卡技校) in Qinghai.

Who gives also receives and Heaven will bless your goodwill.