Off the beaten track in Yongsheng
Story and photos by Ho Su-Lyn, World Vision Child Sponsor

It was truly enjoyable to spend precious time with the children from the Yongsheng Area Development Programme, and to feel like a child again.

I was fortunate to be able to join a group of World Vision child sponsors to Yongsheng, China in late March 2009, even though I was not at that time a child sponsor yet.  Usually, child sponsors participate in these World Vision supporters’ visit to meet their sponsored children. However, even as a non-child sponsor then, the trip was no less impactful.

While I had previously been to other more developed parts of China, a trip to a rural area such as Yongsheng Area Development Programme (ADP) was a first for me. 

I initially had some concerns about hygiene, security, safety and other creature comforts that may not be the norm there.  However, these were very quickly put to rest. 

I appreciated the tireless efforts made by the organiser, World Vision Singapore and the host, World Vision China, to ensure the visitors’ comfort.  We were frequently updated on new developments or changes in the trip itinerary and were provided with tips to ensure that we felt safe at all times throughout our stay. 

I was also pleasantly surprised that at our very first meal in Lijiang, a town near Yongsheng, the local World Vision staff asked if the food was to our taste.  They were concerned as they knew that Singaporeans often preferred dishes that were relatively less oily and salty.  After we expressed our preference, it was really put into action. This utmost thoughtfulness was truly appreciated.

Nevertheless, food, while often a make-or-break factor for most Singaporeans on overseas trips, was not the main reason we were in Yongsheng.  Upon our arrival, we had one day to tour Lijiang Old Town, which was quaint and filled with an old world charm.

The next morning, we had the valuable opportunity to meet Mr Kenneth Yuen, Yongsheng ADP’s Project Officer, who gave us an interesting insight to the various types of work carried out with the support of child sponsors, and the diverse priorities and policy factors guiding World Vision’s decision-making processes, as well as a few real-life case studies.  After the briefing, we launched into three full days of visitations to different schools and villages. 

Truth be told, words alone cannot do justice to the wonderful experience we had.  As the saying goes, a picture speaks a thousand words.  All the sponsors (including myself) knew this, which might explain why we were all busy clicking our cameras away at every school or village we stepped into!  Although the journeys between the various schools and villages were long and the activities, tiring, we were well-prepared. It also helped that we were provided with a detailed daily schedule that I imagine must have been painstakingly prepared. 

I believe every single member of the group has formed his or her personal favourite moment from this trip and has a special story to share. For me, it is hard to choose – between seeing the children’s innocent and smiling faces, hearing their voices shouting out their warm welcome, and experiencing the villagers’ generosity and hospitality when they insisted we accept the walnuts grown by their own hands despite their scarce livelihood.

After wrapping up three days of visitation, it was time for us to be tourists and to do sightseeing, so off to the magnificent Jade Dragon Snow Mountain we headed!  A professional tour guide gave us an informative and enjoyable time at this famous Lijiang natural attraction. 

Having seen photos of this beautiful mountain, I was certainly looking forward to seeing it in person.  True to its reputation, “Xue Shan”, as it is affectionately called by the locals, was exceptionally breathtaking, and its beauty was stunningly portrayed through“Impressions Lijiang”, a performance which used “Xue Shan” as its backdrop, and is directed by world renowned director, Zhang Yimou in collaboration with two other Chinese directors. 

The outdoor multi-tiered sloping stage, set against the awe-inspiring mountain range, coupled with energetic and heartfelt songs and dance choreography of the ethnic Naxi performers, made this performance unforgettable! 

To me, this was an extremely special trip. It was truly ‘bao-kah-liao’ (Hokkien for all-encompassing). Not only did we all get a chance to shop, sightsee and try out the local cuisine; more importantly, we had the chance to interact with the folks and children who endure the struggle of poverty but still see beauty and joy in the world. 

World Vision gave of their best to make this trip a success, and that, it most certainly was. I will soon embark on a journey as a World Vision child sponsor. I write this while I wait to “meet” my two sponsored children, waiting to receive information about them in my mailbox.

For now, I will get to know my sponsored children through letters and see their faces in the picture folders I will receive but soon, I hope to meet them as the other sponsors in this Yongsheng trip have met their special children, up close and in person.

Click here to watch a video of the Child Sponsors' trip to Yongsheng ADP.

The beauty of “Xue Shan” brings a sense of awe, wonder and tranquillity.