Chongqing Shin Shin Schools

Chongqing is the largest and most populous of China's four provincial-level municipalities. Its abbreviated name, "Yu," is derived from the old name of a part of the Jialing River that runs through Chongqing and feeds the Yangtze River. Located on the edge of the Yungui Plateau, Chongqing is intersected by the Jialing River and the upper reaches of the Yangtze. The city is very hilly and is the only major metropolitan area in China without a significant number of bicycles. Chongqing is the biggest inland river port in western China. Historically, most of its transportation, especially to eastern China, is via the Yangtze River. The climate is semi-tropical, with the two-season monsoon variations typical of Southern Asia. It has hot summers, with temperatures as high as 43C (109F). Along with Wuhan and Nanjing, it is known as one of the "three furnaces" of China. In the winter, it is wet and warm. While it seldom snows, most days are foggy.

Shin Shin has one school in Rong-chang, one in Liang-ping and one in Wan-zhou. Additionally, Shin Shin built one more in Liang- ping and Wan-zhou during 2007-2008 period. The schools are able to house about 2,300 students and 105 teachers total in these five schools. Most residents migrated from the Yangtze River Three Gorges area due to the Yangtze Dam project. Life is harsh in most remote areas. Students used to have to stay in deteriorated school housing. Most of the classrooms were dark and humid. All buildings were unsafe to use. The school did not have any computer equipment for teaching prior to Shin Shin's contributions. With Shin Shin's funding, two schools set up the library and one school set up the computer lab. All the buildings and learning conditions have improved.