Julian, his two sisters, Christine and Geraldine and all three spouses, plus Julian’s daughter Susan traveled to China for the March 9, 2007 dedication of a school whose existence is owed largely to the hard work and generosity of these folks. (Ann said that, Julian wouldn’t)
Now here are a few pictures from the dedication with Julian’s words. (By the way, Julian has many, many wonderful pictures of this event which he has generously offered to share if you will just contact him at jtaplin@dca.net)
First the folks on the bus to Tiangquan, southwest of Chengdu.
Julian:
Susan & Carolyn (with Chinese friend):
Christine & Claude:
John & Geraldine:
The last part of the drive is over barely passable track, through poor but beautiful countryside.
Alert photographers capture first views of the finished building. More beautiful than I had ever hoped!
Only twelve months before, this was the view from the same place.
The dedication begins……
Students make us members in the school by vesting us with a Red Scarf.
All eyes turn to top student LiChong, who, with GaoHuan and friend holding, flawlessly reads the students’ proclamation and letter of thanks.
I make remarks with Zhang Xiang Rong.
Others make remarks. Then teachers present the ribbon to be cut. We line up and cut the ribbon to the expertly timed roar of fireworks.
We are formally open!
After more ceremony with wonderful student dancers, the school newspaper wants an interview — They include, “Will you continue to support us?”
Later we go to the roof and see at the back the 300 year old building, first a temple, then the first school. For safety, it will be gone when next we visit. It served as best it could for a long, long time.
Children begin to make their way home over the roads and paths, some an hour and more from home.
But when the children come back tomorrow, the new building stands ready to serve them, hopefully for decades.
You Ai means, “Have affection” or “Have love”. The name was selected by the students.
Acknowledgements. Many family and friends have given generously, very generously indeed, to make this project a reality.
Next steps: We are collecting for the kitchen. With it, children with more than 3 hour walks each day can start 5-day boarding.
