As the Mid-Autumn Festival approaches, many “left-behind children” in Qingtian County, Lishui City, Zhejiang Province, are engaging in a heartfelt initiative known as the “Family Letter Activity.” This program, organized by the Zhejiang Women’s Federation and the Women and Children’s Foundation, is designed to strengthen the bonds between children and their parents who are working abroad.
In a recent classroom scene, students enthusiastically wrote letters, capturing their school experiences and personal stories in carefully crafted notes. Each pen stroke conveyed deep emotions intended for their parents living far away. Teachers collected these letters, snapped photos, and quickly forwarded them to parents via mobile phones, ensuring families could respond promptly.
Wang Xinyue, a student, shared her feelings: “This is my third letter to my mom. I hope she can come home soon so we can enjoy mooncakes and celebrate the festival together.” Wang hasn’t seen her parents, who work in Italy, for eight years; she returned to China when she was just two years old and deeply longs for a reunion.
Another student, Wu Junzhe, echoed similar sentiments. “With the Mid-Autumn Festival coming up, I want to share how I celebrate the holiday and ask my parents how they do it overseas.” Wu started writing letters to his parents in second grade, and each letter he receives fills him with affection and motivation.
The Qingtian County Experimental Primary School’s Hecheng West Road campus holds a considerable number of left-behind children—almost one-third of its student body. Over the last decade, the school has dispatched tens of thousands of family letters, significantly enhancing emotional connections between parents and children and improving communication between home and school.
Wang Hui, a parent living in Italy, expressed her joy: “Every time I receive a letter from my daughter, I feel so happy and excited. It makes me proud to see her growth. This way of communicating allows me to really feel her thoughts and emotions, making each exchange even more precious.”
Chen Shangjun, the Deputy Director of the Political Education Department at the school, indicated that they plan to not only continue but expand the “Family Letter Activity,” incorporating more creative and modern forms of interaction. Additionally, the school aims to establish a comprehensive “Family Letter Museum” to preserve each treasured letter and parent responses, creating lasting memories for the children.
