Virtual China '98

Date of Writing: April 21, 1998

Location of Writing: Ever Joint Peninsula Hotel in Kaiping.

Type of Writing: Itinerary of The Day am.

Today is day three and our biking group is headed for some fun. This morning we woke early to prepare ourselves to reach our next stay at the Peninsula Hotel. Our first stop was at a large village of about 1,000 people. We interviewed a family on their religion and how they live in the village. The kids then showed us their school and we were introduced to the principal who told us about their education and how Chinese schools are different from other schools. We then went into the classroom and entertained the children with the Hokie Pokie. They were surprised and were really happy. We also had more to do so we got back on our bikes and rode through the countryside.

During our biking trip, we came to a sight that really got our attention. We were looking at a small clearing in the side of the road, and received a call from nature, of course we answered. We felt that in the future another biking group may come to this spot and receive the same call, so we willingly stopped for a moment to take a group picture, of us answering natures call.

The rest of our early morning consisted of biking through rice fields, small villages, and especially miles and miles of roads for biking. Today’s morning seemed very long to us because we were willing to take the time and meet these people and ask them how they see life and how they feel about living in the country unlike ourselves, because we live in Hong Kong. But as we continue through China, I hope we will run into more examples of good fortune like these. Because it tells us how little we know about China. Is also a peaceful and beautiful Country only we never felt to go find it. These people say they are following their ancestors, and have led the same unchanged lives for generations. So let us learn from this trip.

From the outside, the white building stands out from the dark brown buildings that hold where the children that attend the school live. It is set on a gravel yard. In the middle, is a huge yard with the People’s Republic of China flag blowing in the breeze. Children are hard at work learning many different subjects including language, math, geography, history, music, and physical education. There is a little technology also taught. The school starts on the first of September, and lasts through mid – July. The school starts at seven o’clock, and has a lunch break from ten to eleven forty – five. School is resumed and is carried on until three thirty. The children go to school five days a week, and once they graduate from high school, they either go to college, or find work in town. There are no requirements for entering, and the only funds needed are for school supplies. The grade ages are from six to twelve, and the funds for the building was donated by the Hang Seng Bank owner in Hong Kong, Mr. Lee.

If this was all to the school, one would think China as being the perfect place. However, all is not as it seems. While entering the school, I noticed the wooden desks used by the kids. Also, the supplies were not to good. The rooms were not well cooled. But, when taken to the Principle’s Area for questions, I found that the desks were brand new, the room well conditioned, and nice benches. In a bucket was a bong (smoking pipe). One thought kept going through my head: a stressful teacher gets high before going to a class, and totally screws up that day’s lesson. I could clearly imagine that. What a sight it would be! Also, a question appeared in my mind: Are all schools in China like this, or just some? In any case, I think that the kids are not being treated how they should. I think that if most schools in China are like this, then China has another problem.

Name of Author: Candace Ho ( HKIS 7th grade Student)

Date of Writing: April 21, 1998

Location of writing: The Peninsula Hotel

Type of writing: Interview with kid at village

Today was very hot so we became tired easily. While biking this afternoon we stopped to take a drink of water and interview a villager. This village was friendly, but very quiet. Although all of us were smiling and trying to look friendly they didn't really want us in their village. While we were walking through the village we realized that all the doors were closed and we couldn't get any information. As we walked we saw lots of people walking past us with baskets and stuff on their shoulders. We asked them where they were going. Most of them said that they were going to work. Finally we saw one open door. We walked to the entrance of it and asked them if we could ask them some questions. We found out a lot of things. We took a picture of them and then we took a picture of two kids, boys actually. The two boys were brothers.

One was 13 years old and the other was 9 years old. The 13 year old was about a foot shorter then me and I am 12. We gave toothbrushes for gifts and he led us to his school. While walking to his school we asked him questions like: How old are you? What's your name? Do you like school? Do you become scared when you see us? Do you become excited or happy? What grade are you in? What grade is your brother in? Do you have any other brothers or sisters? I was surprised that he wasn't scared of us and was actually happy. When I asked him for his name several times he seemed to avoid the question, so we didn't learn what his name was. He seemed to enjoy the toothbrush, but we all thought it was a dumb gift. I guess different people have different opinions. We went to his school and he ran off to his classroom and so did his brother. His brother is in first grade and he was in 5th grade. When we got to the school we interviewed the principal and then danced for one of the classes there.

In conclusion I thought that the interview was not really completed because my Mandarin wasn't really well and I don't know how to speak Cantonese. Although we could make out what each other were saying we couldn't really understand each other easily. We also thought that it was nice of him to lead us to his school.