Hunan Shin Shin Schools

Hunan is located in the middle reaches of the Yangtze River and south of Lake Dongting (hence the name Hunan, meaning "south of the lake"). Hunan's traditional crop is rice. The Lake Dongting area is an important center of ramie production, and Hunan is also an important center of tea cultivation. According to the census, 90% identified themselves as Han people, with the remaining 10% as minority groups. The minority groups are Tujia, Miao, Dong, Yao, Hui, Bai, Zhuang, Uyghurs, and so on. The Hunan Province is credited with being filled with skilled craftsmen and women who create the very best embroidered silks, carved jade, and other skillfully hand- made artistic goods of international quality.

Thanks to the generous contribution of donor Diana Wong and Cathy Tsang, Hunan province has the most Shin Shin schools: 51 schools were renovated between 2002 and 2005, plus four schools in 2006, and one school in 2007. Hunan Shin Shin schools are in two major areas in Hunan: Xiangxi Tujia and Miao minority autonomous region, and the rest of Hunan. Compared to the rest of Hunan, Xiangxi is less developed and in a disadvantaged economical condition. There are 34 Shin Shin schools in Xiangxi. In addition to the bright new school buildings, they also received follow-up funds to purchase computers and other equipment. They sent 32 teachers to participate in the English teachers training program, which enabled the village children to receive a better English education and an understanding of the world. The rest of Hunan has 22 Shin Shin schools. Because of Shin Shin's financial support, they experienced a higher student enrollment and education standard. Changde Normal School has been the home of Shin Shin's English Teachers Training Program for the past three summers.