Nola is 5.5 years old, lives in Beijing and attends school at Western Academy of Beijing (WAB). Nola is one of the lucky girls who gets to receive great education and see the world. But at the young age of 5, she also knows that not all girls have that privilege. So when her mom, Miao Lu, asked her what she would do with the money earned from participating in the Girl Scout’s Cookie project, instead of spending it on ice-cream or a new toy, she decided to donate it to those less fortunate – specifically girls from rural regions of China. Jingkids spoke to Lu about her daughter’s charitable decision.
How come little Nola decided to donate her money?
“We often talk about how to make the world a better place through our actions”, says Miao, and continues “The concept of philanthropy was introduced to her in a way a five year old would understand. The Cookie project was a great initiative where the participating scouts would price the products, sell them to friends and people in the compound, then decide what to do with their earnings”.
And while Nola, like every other child, wanted to go straight for some of the most tempting earthly joys (read: ice-cream, toys and the like), her mom decided to show her a simple picture book from EGRC. No text, only photographs. Photos of girls in their hometown. Nola was shocked.
These young women have potential to become strong and confident women, but due to the lack of financial resources and emotional support, they’re destined to live their lives uneducated and in poverty. Right there, Nola made her decision: she’s not gonna buy yet another toy or another juice box. She will make her money count. She will make a difference.
The organization, Educating Girls of Rural China (EGRC), which Nola donated her cookie money to has been actively helping these young girls and women for close to two decades.
EGRC is the brainchild of Ching Tien who herself used to be one of these girls, but who was lucky enough to escape the same destiny. Lu, a member of EGRC Executive Committee shares: ”Founder Ching is an amazing lady! She’s 70 years old and she’s still doing everything she can to help these girls.”
How does education fight poverty?
Since its founding, EGRC has educated and lifted hundreds of girls out of poverty through financial sponsorship and emotional support, as well as providing career advice and opportunities for graduates. By offering to cover tuition and living expenses for rural young women, EGRC gives them the biggest gift of all – education that opens doors to a new world, to opportunities that these girls would not have otherwise have had.
“After 17 years of doing EGRC’s work, I have learned that our original belief and mission – EDUCATED WOMEN HAVE EDUCATED CHILDREN is forever important. It’s the most fundamental way to lift people out of poverty and change the world for the better”, Ching told us.
Financial, emotional and social support
True to its mission to educate, EGRC fights the social disadvantages that women all over China face from an early age. The young ladies EGRC helps come from very difficult backgrounds and are in desperate need of emotional support, which EGRC whole-heartedly offers.
“In recent years, EGRC has been providing various learning, coaching and training programs, on top of financial sponsorship. They cover everything from mental health knowledge and awareness, communication skills, confidence building, career planning to giving back to their communities. We also have an annual Say No campaign, which teaches the girls how to recognize and SAY NO to any form of sexual harassment“, adds Ching.
Giving back
“Seeing these girls graduating every year is the most rewarding moment of all.They change their lives by achieving an education, they help their families get out of poverty, and make sure the future generations get the same education”, says Ching. She personally keeps in touch with some of the women even after they graduate. EGRC has its own Alumni Association, which is a platform for the graduate ladies to support the organization by getting involved in its work. All these girls find ways to give back to their communities, families and even the organization.
“Many employees of the organization are girls EGRC helped, who went to university and then decided to come work for EGRC to help and inspire others. It is a beautiful cycle!”, says Lu.
Of course, running a charity and helping hundreds of underprivileged women comes with its challenges, the greatest of them being fundraising, according to Ching. But COVID has led to a new issue: “We are not able to connect with the girls in person most of the time, and I am not able to travel to China.” However, there is a positive side to the after-Covid era: “We have announced a scholarship in 2022, which will be given to outstanding rural young women to pursue their graduate studies abroad. I believe everyone deserves this opportunity”.
How can you help?
Inspired to make a difference, there is a way to contribute as the biggest annual fund raising event of EGRC is right around the corner. The “Golf for a Cause” tournament will take place at Beijing HuangGong International Golf Club on September 16 and includes a buffet dinner after. Even if golf isn’t really your thing, you can choose to attend the dinner with a RMB300 ticket.
EGRC operates through our generosity and appreciates all the help and support, so every bit helps towards making a positive difference in someone’s life.
Images: Miao Lu, EGRC
