Fujian Shin Shin Schools

Fujian is one of the provinces on the southeast coast of China. Fujian borders Zhejiang to the north, Jiangxi to the west, and Guangdong to the south. Taiwan lies to the east, across the Taiwan Strait. The name Fujian was coined during the Tang Dynasty. Fujian is well known for its long coastline. Matsu (literally "Mother-Ancestor") is the Taoist goddess of the sea who protects fishermen and sailors, and is revered as the patron saint who protects East Asians associated with the ocean.

Legend has it that Matsu was a silent girl with excellent swimming skills. She wore red and stood on the shore to guide fishing boats home, even in the most dangerous and harsh weather. Eventually she gave her young life in order to save her lost father in the sea. Starting from Fujian, worship of Matsu has spread to the neighboring coastal provinces of Zhejiang and Guangdong, and thence to all coastal areas of mainland China. With migration, it spread further to Taiwan, Vietnam, Ryukyu, Japan, and South East Asia. Today, worship of Matsu is also found in other countries with sizable populations from these regions. In total, there are around 1,500 Matsu temples in 26 countries of the world. One of Shin Shin's schools is located in the city of Putian, the legendary birthplace of Matsu, where hundreds of temples were dedicated to the goddess of the sea.

Since 2002, Shin Shin has built six schools across Fujian located at Quanzhou, Jiangou, Putian, Lianjiang, and Wuyishan. These schools embrace tremendous support and consideration from Shin Shin, setting up new buildings and improving both the hardware and software of education. Four out of the six schools received computer equipment. All students and teachers are sincerely grateful for Shin Shin's contribution over the years.

Watch School Visit Video taken by the Fujian regional manager Jingnong Lin.