2002-01-23 The Story of Paddy & Janet

In early October 2001, as I went for a lunch time walk to buy some fruit at the local village, I saw a young boy sitting with his mother selling bananas.  As I bought some of their bananas I asked why the boy wasn't at school. "No money....we've just come from Hunan Province". Local Government school fees = 1,500 Yuan per semester (= half year).  Education here not free. So 12 year old Paddy (birthday near 17/3..) and Janet his 16 year old sister had no school.
To help them get some English was one of the reasons we started our Thursday night English Corner for primary students....and Friday night for Seconday students & workers.  I also bought them a Chinese-English illustrated dictionary which they study every day. Both Janet & Paddy are really keen students....but no school.
Then came the idea of helping them study at home....Home School  (many references on internet....e.g. www.homeschooling.about.com ). An idea supported by Peter & Ling (whose children Home Studied in UK for some time) and Kevin & Pao from Hong Kong (who are preparing a Home School site in Chinese especially for students like Janet & Paddy).
So, a second hand computer was obtained.....and this plus some 20 educational CD's from Australia (2nd photo above) = a great little Home School....which is already being used by some other children in the area....and which after Lunar New Year will have access to the internet DV.....for on-line tuition per Kevin & Pao.
If anyone would like to help with a bit of on-line study for Paddy & Janet, or just be email friends (in Chinese or English) please let me know: jdwomi@hotmail.com  

And....as a Heavenly tick to the above story....as I was walking up the hill from Paddy & Janet's home back to our school on Sunday January 20 after setting up their computer, I met just one member of staff coming down the hill (one out of 300)...who happened to be.... one of our main computer teachers....and who...after a canteen meal in the village...very kindly visited the home to give some tips on using Chinese script....which Janet & Paddy took to like fish to water.

DG!