20. There are contrasts of life-style in Guyuan A woman’s work is never done! Men playing Chinese chequers
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23. My favourite photograph One day I bought Ma Ling and her sister some milk; each little bottle came with a straw. After I left, she rushed after me shouting my name: I looked back to see her weaving her way through the bicycles on the road, and holding a single straw aloft. I had given her three straws instead of two. This was one of my most beautiful memories from Guyuan.
31. Or, if they’re less lucky: in an orphanage Actually, these children are still quite lucky, as the Guyuan Orphanage now has prefectural funding.
32. This child particularly caught my eye: Bai Mei, was one of the many children at the orphanage. Often the children were orphaned because of the death of one or both parents from illnesses they couldn’t pay to treat.
34. Now, look! Meimei’s in the middle! My dean sponsored her education for the next six years.
35. An overview of educational circumstances £1 = 13.5 yuan * 30-50 yuan a year to send a child to primary school; * 150-200 a year to send a child to secondary school * 1,800 yuan a year to send someone to University Remember, the average yearly earnings are about 1800 yuan in the countryside (£150) Many families cannot afford to send a child to secondary school, let alone university. Older children are needed to work on the land. It’s a double-bind. They need money for the work not provided, plus the money for the fees.
