“The fire can't destroy the grass on a prairie, and it grows again when spring breeze blows.” Outside the brownish yellow soil, a brush of green appears. Spring is coming quietly. Free Lunch program keeps going. In December 2015, researcher Gao Xin started from Baoding, Hebei, to three schools in Nanyang, Henan. He was going to do a random check of Free Lunch programs in these three schools.
Fangcheng County locates in the west south of Henan, 60 kilometers from Nanyang. Yuandian County locates in 20 kilometers west of Fangcheng; it was the last and smallest county in Fangcheng. The whole county includes Jiangzhuang village, Yuandian village, Shangtai Village… Nine communities altogether. Shangtai primary school locates in Shangtai village, 4 kilometers north of the Yuandian country. Shangtai primary school is a 4-year primary school, there are six grades altogether: kindergarten, pre-school, first to fourth grade. Currently, there are eight classes, one kindergarten class, three pre-school classes, first to fourth grade one class for each, 319 students and 11 teachers. Lunch usually starts at 11:50.
In the morning, the sun rises from the east and spreads its light on a village road. The smell of flowers blows and makes it enchanted.
The gate of Shangtai primary school which protects the students.
Food saves lives, knowledge and sublimes souls; thus, a clean kitchen was built for the students.
Staffs who work in the cafeteria start preparing food several hours before lunch.
This plate looks so delicious. Niu niu can’t wait to try but will leave it for the students.
Lunch boxes are placed in the fridge with the students’ names on.
The windows are clean. The students will be here for lunch later.
Don’t forget these staff members who work in the cafeteria. Because of their hard work, Free Lunch program could be spread out in the whole country.
The kids are waiting. The wall behind them is a giant colorful painting, Free Lunch wil lead them to that colorful world.
The students are waiting in line, not crowded at all, these polite details are the hope for our country in the future.
When the kids see the camera, they stop doing their homework and staring at the camera, wondering.
The dishes are ready for today, the vegetables represent all Free Lunch volunteers’ best wishes.
Eggs are treasure. They contain proteins, which are good for the children.
When they are eating, they don’t make a noise and keep the cafeteria quiet.
The students wait in line to pick the clean plates. Hygiene is important.
Today’s main dish is steamed bread. Although they are hungry but they keep in line to get their lunch.
The teachers are in the cafeteria to keep the order.
Niu niu feels worthy to walk all those miles to school when seeing that the students are enjoying their lunch.
Students receive their bowls and chopsticks and enjoy their lunch. The slogan “Bring your questions to the class” is showing in the back. Only when you are physically healthy, you can learn the knowledge well.
Niu niu is satisfied with the research in Shangtai primary school. We will keep helping the kids in the villages with Free Lunch program, make them healthier, improve their study condition, help them with school work and create a better future.
