China: Hope Schools

Education brings hope for the future

China is bursting with opportunity and optimism. Cities such as Beijing and Shanghai are buzzing with business ideas and talk of the country's rapid economic growth. But not all Chinese citizens are in a position to take advantage of the country's immense potential.

Rural poverty keeps many school-age children out of education, while every year a million primary school children leave school early. A lack of funding means school buildings are often in a dilapidated or dangerous condition. Unilever China is determined to play its part in helping the country's next generation get the most out of life and fulfil their potential, so we have been working with local organisations to promote education in poverty-stricken rural areas.

Over the last decade, we have donated money and resources to help set up nine 'Hope Schools' in China. The Hope Schools bring education - some of it with a special emphasis on the arts or the environment - to disadvantaged rural children. Six of the schools are based in Qinghai province, an economically deprived region in the northwest of the country. With per capita incomes of less than Yuan 800 (around €80) a year, few parents can afford to educate their children. Instead of studying, many young people spend their childhood herding cattle, growing crops or taking care of other children.

"In China, education is perceived as a key way to change your life. Traditionally, the Chinese believe education is very important and that is why Unilever China also sees this as important", explains Marina Wu, Senior corporate communications manager with Unilever China.

Ongoing support

The initial goal of the project, which is run in association with the China Youth Development Foundation, is to support the construction of school buildings. We continue to support the schools to ensure their ongoing development. For example, Unilever employees volunteer at the schools and we have also donated computer rooms to three of our Hope Schools, each equipped with between 20 and 30 computers. Meanwhile, in association with the Women's Union of He Fei Economic Development Zone, we have agreed to fund 30 local primary school students all the way through their schooling.

Our support for schools in China has also led to real breakthroughs in the education system. One of our Hope Schools, for example, is a pioneer in the arts. As well as providing a sound basic education, the Unilever Art Hope School offers professional teaching in music, traditional singing, dancing and modern art to around 500 children aged six to 15. One of these, 11-year-old Wang Danxia, was one of the winners in our 2006 Unilever International Schools Art Project. Her winning painting subsequently went on show at the Tate Modern in London.

Another school in Yan'an city, Shanxi province, specialises in environmental issues. Pupils and exchange students are taught about conservation and biodiversity, as well as local topics such as the flora and fauna of the Qinghai–Tibetan plateau and the origins of the Yangtze River. China's first environmentally oriented elementary school, it was built with a Yuan 200 000 (approximately €20 000) donation from Unilever.

Through our 'Hope Star' project, we fund the tuition fees for promising college students from poor areas. Since it began in 1998, over 200 young people have had their university studies paid for and some have joined Unilever as employees.