By Steve Jackson | Director, News and Content
On a beautiful fall day in remote China, little Weiwei was just happy to be going out for a walk in the rural village where he lives with his grandmother.
He had no idea that their stroll would lead to watching the creation of an incredible community mural.
As he views the huge painting-in-progress, the image slowly takes shape in front of his eyes. Mesmerized, he watches the children paint as the older village grandparents look on.
Beyond Weiwei’s village, it’s a scene that’s been replicated across 24 OneSky supported rural villages.
There is, of course, one age group largely missing. Parents leave the countryside in their millions to find work in China’s ever-growing cities. In their absence, exhausted grandparents struggle to look after the children, often while balancing the demands of farm work.
OneSky brings people together for the children
OneSky’s Village Program works to lessen the stressful impact on both children and their caregivers. Family Mentors are on hand to offer advice, support and training. In addition, through communal activities such as this mural painting, OneSky strengthens communities by bringing people together.
Together they are stronger and more able to support each other and look out for the children. Because, as the old saying goes, it really does take a village to raise a child.
“The annual mural activity is always such fun,” said teacher Yanzi. “We also take the opportunity to share parenting lessons. It’s such a great way to get people together outdoors. The children can spend time with one another and those who look after them can take a break to talk and laugh. It makes the neighborhood closer.”
The mural is for the whole village to enjoy and for the children to have fun painting, but the biggest benefit is community morale and togetherness. There are even lessons to be learned within the mural which includes the slogans: “Parents are the best teachers for children” and “Your time is the best gift for children.”
To read more updates about work on behalf of vulnerable children, be sure to go to our story website page.
Project reports on GlobalGiving are posted directly to globalgiving.org by Project Leaders as they are completed, generally every 3-4 months. To protect the integrity of these documents, GlobalGiving does not alter them; therefore you may find some language or formatting issues.
If you donate to this project or have donated to this project, you can receive an email when this project posts a report. You can also subscribe for reports without donating.
