Last week saw Cango CSR on a special two-day “road trip,” as Cango volunteers drove along the border through the vast mountainous areas of southern Yunnan to deliver books to children attending three elementary schools hidden away in the mountains. 

This was part of Cango CSR’s campaign to support rural education, which was launched at the end of last year. As the income gap between cities and rural areas widens, more and more young and middle-aged people are leaving their villages to work in the cities, thus creating a special group, that is, left-behind village children. Most of these children have been living with their elderly grandparents since an early age, and as a result, they often lack effective guardianship, education and guidance. And this has become a unique social issue.   

To help resolve said issue, Cango CSR is working with Bairen Benevolent Foundation and contributing to its long-time efforts to improve education at village elementary schools. The first stops of Cango CSR’s campaign were three village elementary schools in the Honghe Hani and Yi Autonomous Prefecture in southern Yunnan. After consulting volunteer teachers at the schools, Cango CSR made specific book lists based on different schools’ different needs and rolled out the “CANGO Book Corner” plan.   

E’Die Elementary School of Honghe County

For the successful delivery of the books, Cango volunteers were involved every step of the way, from the initial planning and multiple rounds of communication and confirmation with Bairen Benevolent Foundation and the volunteer teachers, to making the first season’s book lists and starting the purchase and mailing process, and to realizing the eventual road trip.

Sanjia Elementary School of Jinping County

Of the three village elementary schools, E’Die Elementary School of Honghe County received close to 400 books, Sanjia Elementary School of Jinping County received more than 200 books, and Pujiao Elementary School of Jinping County received close to 150 books. These book lists were the first season’s lists planned for the Book Corner, and Cango CSR will maintain close communication with the volunteer teachers to choose and deliver more books suitable for the school children. The goal is to bring knowledge, through a small charitable gesture, to children isolated deep in the mountains, so as to open for them a window and offer them a view of the outside world. 

Pujiao Elementary School of Jinping County

Thanks to the two days’ book delivery trip, Cango volunteers experienced how difficult life is deep in the mountains, and were profoundly moved by the rural educators’ dedication and the timid smiles of children living in the mountains. On the way home, they passed the villagers’ simple houses scattered along the mountain road. The sky was darkening, and firewood piles were lit up in front of almost every house, with people sitting and chatting around the fire. From a distance, the sparkling stars reflected off the villagers’ faces, and their mild smiles melted into the shadows of the fire dancing in the wind. Maybe that is what hope looks like, and maybe Cango CSR will be the light of hope for people staying behind in the remote villages.