At first, all that the school had were eight mud houses and four stone rooms. Until the 1990s, the school buildings were upgraded into a two-floor teaching building and a row of bungalows acting as students’ dormitories and kitchens.

Many of the 250 plus students here are leftover children, meaning that their parents have either migrated to other areas in China for work or have passed away. The majority of students have to hike over hills and dales every Monday to get to school. They used to sleep in cramped conditions with several in each bed and around 40 students required to share a 10 square meter space. Due to the school being located in water-deficient area, the school needed to collect rainwater for students to drink.

Students exercise in their new playground. [Photo by Huang Xiaobang/Xinhua]

In the last two years, Nongyong Primary School has received substantial policy and financial support from Guangxi’s government and from all sectors of society. With an investment of more than 3 million yuan ($483,400), the newly built dormitories, bathrooms, mess hall, library and toilets are now fully in use. People from places such as Guangdong and Beijing have also sent school supplies and living goods such as stationery, bedsteads, quilts and school uniforms to students in Nongyong Primary School. The students are finally able to bid a farewell to the days sharing beds with others and can experience the outside world through the school’s distance teaching equipment.

Edited by Jake Hooson