The graduating students of Qijiacun Village Primary School this year have had an extraordinary experience — within five years, they have lived through two earthquakes: the Wenchuan Earthquake on May 12 and the Lushan Earthquake on April 20. After the Lushan quake, the school building became unsafe and could no longer be used. While the new school was under reconstruction, the students continued their studies in nine temporary prefabricated classrooms. The sound of children reading aloud filled the air, and the sight of playful running filled the temporary “campus” paved with red bricks. Despite the tough conditions, the school has done its best to keep the students’ education on track. The new school building is set to be completed next autumn. When asked how the children will get through the coming winter in the thin-walled prefabs, Principal Zhang said the school will find a way, and the children will persevere.
Principal Zhang is not tall and his hair is already quite sparse. As a principal, he hopes that all his students can grow up healthy and happy while gaining knowledge. Just another ordinary, unremarkable dream.
Teacher Lin is 60 years old and will retire after this semester. Reflecting on his 38-year teaching career, he simply says, “I’ve just been teaching books my whole life.” Over 38 years, he has taught generations of mountain children, and 38 years of chalk dust have turned his once jet-black hair white. When talking about his dreams, he hopes that better teachers will come to carry on his mission.
The “Smiling Ya’an” project is jointly organized by Lonely Planet magazine and HNA Tourism. It has garnered support and attention from numerous caring enterprises and media outlets, with contributions from Chery Tiggo automobiles and Home Inns Group.
Lonely Planet magazine advocates for “responsible travel and thoughtful exploration.” This marks the first time it has held a charity event that organically combines travel with public welfare. The aim is to engage responsible travelers as volunteers to discover and improve themselves while collectively exploring and showcasing the planet’s diverse charm. The “Smiling Ya’an” project upholds this brand philosophy and also takes on the social responsibility of the media by attempting the concept of “humanistic philanthropy.” It seeks, through collaboration with socially responsible enterprises and media, to introduce the unique local culture and scenery of Ya’an — the Rain City — to the world. It showcases a resilient Ya’an rebuilding after the disaster, presenting a genuine, richly charming Ya’an with smiles to the nation.
At the same time, Lonely Planet magazine hopes to use this “Smiling Ya’an” public welfare campaign to better promote the cultural and tourism resources of the Ya’an region to the world, revitalizing the local tourism industry and promoting economic recovery in the post-earthquake area. The goal is to bring tangible help to the development of Ya’an and its people. This is Lonely Planet’s beautiful dream for Ya’an.
Come to Ya’an, step into Shangli. Along the way, the scenery is picturesque, with misty drizzle and a thin fog veiling the mountains, creating a fairy-tale-like atmosphere. Even after the earthquake, Ya’an still presents us with breathtaking beauty. Let us all wish Ya’an and its people well, may kind-hearted people no longer suffer from disasters, and may enchanting landscapes remain untouched by calamity. This, too, is our shared dream.