A library owner has devoted a decade to offering voluntary picture book classes to students at rural schools in northwest China's Shaanxi Province, bringing positive change to the life of many children.
Jiao Meining, 47, was born in a rural part of Lintong District, Xi'an, the provincial capital. From a young age, Jiao developed a deep passion for reading and soon realized that children in rural areas had fewer opportunities to access quality reading resources compared to their peers in larger cities.
In 2015, Jiao opened a library collecting 14,000 picture books, and began thinking of ways to help.
She started reading books to students that same year, and since then, her voluntary storytelling sessions have been welcomed with great enthusiasm by local students.
Students in the schools she often visits always rush to surround her with excitement as soon as she arrives at the school gates.
"I noticed that the students were much more interested in listening to Jiao telling stories than in attending regular classes. So, I sat in on a few of her classes and realized that her storytelling approach could really benefit the students' growth and reading development. Eventually, we made it a regular practice for Jiao to tell stories to our students," said Yu Wugang, principal of Podi Primary School in Xiquan Township.
The impact of these classes has extended beyond the classroom. For rural students, Jiao's readings have opened a window to the outside world and inspired them to dream bigger.
"After listening to Jiao's stories, I have gained a clearer sense of my future goal -- to help other students in rural areas after I grow up," said Wang Jiayao, a student at Tuqiao Central Primary School.
"I'm truly grateful to Jiao for all these years. Her care and attention to the children in our mountainous area have provided constant support, and she has witnessed their healthy growth. I hope more compassionate individuals like Jiao will focus on the health and education of children in rural areas," said Wang Xinpei, director of teaching and discipline at Tuqiao Central Primary School.
Jiao expressed her satisfaction with the progress her students have made over the years. She is delighted to see many of them broaden their horizons and significantly improve their writing skills.
"Reading picture books enhances children's abilities of observation, concentration, language expression, image description, and reading comprehension. Many parents whose children have been reading in my library from a young age tell me that they no longer worry about their children's composition writing. Once they explain the requirements, the children can write on their own because their minds are filled with stories. This is the feedback I've received from them," said Jiao.
Library owner brings stories, change to children in rural China
Library owner brings stories, change to children in rural China
