Inverness kids offer helping hand to Chinese orphan with sale event arranged for Saturday at SHIMCA premises
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BIG-HEARTED Highland children are banding together to help a Chinese orphan continue her schooling.
And hopes are high members of the public will support their first modest fundraising venture in Inverness on Saturday.
When youngsters attending informal Mandarin Chinese lessons in Inverness heard about the plight of thirteen-year-old Su Gan Er Zuo, they immediately wanted to do something to help.
She comes from a remote mountainous area of Sichuan province in the south of China and would be unable to access schooling were it not for the efforts of the local charity Sichuan Azalea Charity Foundation, which works to offer children like her the potentially life-changing basics of learning to read and write.
She belongs to the Yi minority group in one of the poorest areas of the country.
The young girl lost her dad when she was just one. Tragically, her mum died when she was eight.
Su Gan Er Zuo stays in school during the week and at her aunt's house on weekends. The Sichuan Azalea Charity Foundation said that the young girl has a positive attitude to her school work and has taken the opportunity to broaden her horizons. Supporting her education for one year costs just the equivalent of around £120.
The Scottish Highlands and Islands and Moray Chinese Associaiton (SHIMCA), which helps run Mandarin language and culture lessons at the multicultural centre on Ardconnel Street in Inverness, is getting behind the charity's efforts and will this Saturday (June 26) stage a sale of snacks and home baking organised by the local children.
Class teacher Angela Mackenzie, who is herself originally from Beijing, has around 12 pupils aged from four to 13 who learn Mandarin. She said: "When the children heard about Su Gan Er Zuo, they immediately wanted to know more and then asked what they could do to help. They have already made wee video clips introducing themselves and drawn pictures.
"It is very touching to see how they want to know more about a different culture and to help someone who they can relate to."
Monica Lee-Macpherson of SHIMCA has worked to build bridges between different cultures for many years and has put in countless hours volunteering during the coronavirus pandemic. She said the group was happy to get behind the venture to try and improve the life chances of a child. It is hoped strong bonds could be forged over time.
The Saturday morning event will be held outside the Multicultural Centre which shares premises with the SHIMCA Eco Cafe on Ardconnel Street from 10am to 1pm.
Visitors are invited to pop by to find out more. Social distancing will be observed during the event. Donations, however small, will be welcomed.
Good food did not go to waste thanks to SHIMCA initiative
