RCEF runs a small grants competition for rural education projects in line with RCEF philosophy. This fund is often the only source of support that citizens in China can apply to for independent projects. Through this program, RCEF encourages social responsibility and social awareness among Chinese citizens, while also building leadership and project management skills for grantees through a rigorous application, monitoring, and evaluation process. Each project is assigned a mentor from RCEF who communicates with the volunteers and offers guidance when needed on the projects' alignment with RCEF philosophy. RCEF will also conduct follow-up visits to the project sites to assess their progress.

Overall Goals

1. To provide financial support to rural teachers and organizations involved with rural education and community development.

2. To provide a platform for discussion of ideas and exploration of methods for rural teachers and organizations involved with rural education and community development.

3. To link RCEF with other similar projects and like-minded people.

Eligible Projects

1. Long- and short-term projects of student groups which have sustainability and creativity.

2. Rural teachers' curriculum development projects such as Native Soil Education Materials, experimenting with new teaching methods, professional training, etc.

3. Other projects. We welcome your ideas!

Project Standards

1. Educational support projects should plan to increase in depth over time, demonstrate creativity and sustainability, and include innovative teaching methods and content.

2. Rural teachers' projects should be experiment with new curriculum and teaching methods by (e.g. Native Soil Education Materials, Local Curriculum development, etc.)

3. It is preferable that the project leader has had past contact and working experience with RCEF, though not necessarily in RCEF's programs. Local people who live in rural areas and others with rich experience in the field are also considered.

4. The project should prove that it is feasible, will influence local teachers, schools and students, and have value for dissemination of results.

Grants Approved in Winter 2008

Applicant: Fenghuang Miao Support Net

Project: Teacher Training Program for Ethnic Minority Teachers, Hunan Province

The Miao Support Net is a nonprofit organization founded and run by local teachers themselves. They conducted an assessment of local teachers’ professional development needs, and are organizing a series of training sessions based on their findings. The Innovation Grant is for their first training, which aims to introduce teachers to different effective models for rural education.

Applicant: Mr. Zhang Jianzhong

Project: School-based Curriculum Development for Paper Cutting, Hebei Province

Mr. Zhang is a rural art teacher who previously served with RCEF as a summer volunteer teaching. He is teaching paper cutting classes and organizing various school-wide activities related to paper cutting, and publishing a textbook based on his experience.

Applicant: Greenwild Association

Project: “Children of the Sea” Environmental Education Project, Fujian Province

The Greenwild Association is a university student organization focused on environmental protection. They have developed a community-based curriculum for Haimen Island which has forests of rare tree species. They will go to two local primary schools every two weeks to teach the curriculum, which guides students to learn about local natural resources and develop a sense of responsibility for protecting the forests.

Applicant: Lin Lusheng

Project: Scenario Recreation, rural migrant communities in Beijing

Lin Lusheng does nature education work with rural and rural migrant children. He is developing a method for assessing student growth through keeping detailed and in depth records of crucial or revealing moments during the educational process.

Applicant: Li Guangdui

Project: Digital Library and Information Services Center, Anhui Province

Li Guangdui is an experienced rural educator who started a Library and Information Center in his home village during the winter break with the grant. Volunteers taught basic computer schools to village adults and children with an emphasis on constructive uses of the internet.

Applicant: Liu Qu

Project: Happy Winter Camp, Hunan Province

Liu Qu volunteered with RCEF in our summer volunteer program and then organized a camp for children in her own home village the following winter break. The strength of this program is that instead of relying heavily on outside volunteers, Liu Qu brought university students from her home village together to volunteer for their own community. The camp was geared towards grade four to six and focused on confidence building, social skills and developing a love for their home village. They plan on continuing the camp in the future.

Applicant: Xinhuo Society

Project: Long-term Volunteer Teaching Program, Anhui Province

Members of the Xinhuo Society volunteer at rural primary schools near their college every week. They teach subjects such as English, art, music and physical education which the schools would not offer otherwise, and also train local teachers in basic computer skills. Most university students volunteer teach in rural schools during long school holidays. The weekly volunteer teaching model is an innovation of the Xinhuo Society and allows volunteers to work with students on a more consistent basis.

Applicant: Ms. Zhao Yingfeng

Project: New Teaching Method – Experience Success and Feel Happy, Hebei Province

Ms. Zhao, a rural teacher, is experimenting with new teaching methods to broaden the horizons of her students, give them opportunities to experience success and make learning more fun. Her new methods include outings to the city and to outdoor areas near their village, various extracurricular activities and talent competitions.

Applicant: Guizhou Sunshine Volunteers

Project: Volunteer Teaching Program in Guizhou Province

This project includes a comprehensive training, followed by a volunteer teaching trip to a Miao and Buyi ethnic minority village. The organization of their teaching was similar to a summer camp. A lot of the activities were done in small groups with volunteer counselors in charge of their own small groups. Their curriculum included interpersonal relationships, public speaking, role playing activities such as mock trial, oral English, village discovery etc.

Applicant: Youth Volunteers Association

Project: Volunteer Teaching, Guangdong Province

The volunteers taught primary and middle school students in a Guangdong village. Their goals were to strengthen students learning skills and motivation, provide psychological guidance and mobilize villagers to pay more attention to the education and development of children.

Grants Approved in Summer 2007

Applicant: Sub-Association of the China Volunteer Association in Jilin

Project: Summer Volunteer Teaching Program in Jilin Province

Amount: 2000 RMB

The volunteers taught in two primary schools and one high school during summer 2007. Their curriculum included English, Math Puzzles, Music, and History, with a focus on improving the overall ability of students, and building up students’ self-esteem and mental health. The project is expected to run annually.

Applicant: New Hope Association

Project: Migrant Children Education Program in Hangzhou City, Zhejiang Province

Amount: 2000 RMB

Beginning in fall 2007, volunteers will teach in schools for the children of migrant workers who come from rural areas. Their goals include promoting students’ learning as well as developing their potential and overall development.