Yao Minority Project

Twenty Year 6-9 pupils gained a valuable insight into life in southern China’s Yao community over the October half term break, undertaking a cultural and service trip to the Yao Minority Project in Liannan.

Together with the Hong Kong-based Go2Serve Foundation, the pupils underwent a day and a half of working at a sustainable farming project, underpinned by several teaching demonstrations in the areas of bio fuel production, environmental care and understanding the way of life and issues faced by the Yao people.

The pupils harvested hibiscus fruits to make into organic handmade jam, as well as making a traditional Yao dessert, known as ‘a ou’, which was delivered to the elderly along with warm clothing, necessitating an eight kilometre hike to the top of a mountain to deliver their gifts.

In addition to camping, some arduous trekking and getting to grips with the general challenges of outdoor living, the pupils also worked in groups on a SEED project which showed their creativity and ingenuity in thinking of some ideas of reusing, reducing and recycling for the Yao people to help improve their every day lives.

On the final day, the pupils had a chance to visit the impressive Underground River (the longest in China) and caves north of Lianzhou before the long train journey home and the chance to reflect on their adventure and experiences.