In some parts of China, young people leave home for work to make money and lead a better life, leaving the elderly and children at home.
When the traditional Chinese festivals approach, the left-behind ones can often only get in touch with the young through phones and social media. Ideally, both sides can meet each other through a video call; otherwise, they can share only voices.
Laodian Village is a small place unknown to most people, and its introduction can't easily be found online. Formerly known as a part of Hongxing Township, it is about five kilometers away from Chongkan Town, a little way off the famous rapeseed flower festival scenic area in Tongnan District, Chongqing.
Despite the great progress made in local development in recent years, many villagers still choose to get out to work in Yangtze River Delta and Pearl River Delta areas or cities like Chongqing or Chengdu. Most of them will depart early before the festival ends to save toll fees.
Specially set up by Chongqing Tongnan Charity Association, with the support of Chongqing Charity Federation, the project plans to improve the Satisfaction with Life Index among the elderly, children, and patients who are left behind in rural areas, making them feel warm through supplies distribution, caring activities, social services, giving-out of student grant and Medicaid.
Elderly in Laodian Village, Tongnan. (Photo provided to iChongqing）
The project serves as an important part of the “Rural Revitalization·Chongqing Session” hosted by Chongqing Charity Federation under the guidance of Chongqing Civil Affairs Bureau and Chongqing Rural Revitalization Bureau, with special support from Tencent Charity and Tencent Southwest Headquarters.
The activity will be held from April 27 to April 29, 2022, focusing on assistance in industrial development, elderly care, care for children, education, talents cultivation, and aid for the needy and the poor.