CAI (Children’s Art Initiative) is a program of the Promise Foundation, a Nevada non-profit corporation. It was launched in Beijing in 2006 with an aim to provide migrant children with a healthy growth environment through access to creative arts and sports.
CAI establishes arts and sports education programs in migrant schools and organizes summer camps for migrant students in Beijing. Students participate in activities such as painting, dancing, performance and sports programs such as soccer and basketball. CAI volunteers bring students on trips to art galleries and exhibitions. Arts and sports competitions are held to further motivate students. In 2008, CAI partnered with Shaonianertong Magazine, the media partner for United Nations Environmental Program, to enter students’ art works into the “International Children’s Art Competition.” In fall 2008, CAI introduced a girls basketball program in four migrant schools in Beijing. There were over twenty volunteers from China and other countries participated in the program to teach and organize inter-school competitions.
The program is hoped to improve art education for migrant students, build their self-confidence through arts and sports, teach students the value of teamwork and develop their leadership skills. Domestic and international volunteers with various skills join the program to teach arts and sports, organize camps and competitions and help with fundraising and marketing. Corporations such as Nike, Nokia, Cummins Inc, Blick Art Materials, Nestle Waters and Royal Bank of Scotland provide fiancial and volunteer support. CAI also receives donation from the society through programs such as Music Instrument Bank, Firstgiving.com and GoodSearch.
By launching the arts and sports program in migrant schools, CAI addresses the problem of underdeveloped arts and physical education in migrant schools. CAI has a vision that “every child will be empowered to reach his or her greatest potential”.
CAI Webpage: http://www.cai-china.org/site/index.php/en/home
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June 16, 2009 at 9:28 am
shiniesbaby
Hey Arita
Great idea! China has already have program for adopt a child at a time, however there is no interaction or communication between the children being adopted and adopter. So far the only issue has been partially solved is from financial aspect. I totally agreed with your idea. If we have exchange student, why not exchange children from rural and urban periodically? In this case both would have chance to enjoy a different learning environment, and value their lives more.
Arita, if you are planning to launch this program, where do you plan to get the funding?
June 16, 2009 at 10:28 pm
arita
Thanks for your comment
Exchange students between rural and urban schools is just a great idea! I know there are summer camps but no exchange students programs in schools.
I think I may get the funding from non-profits educational organizations such as Rural China Education Foundation, and some corporations that focus on educational products or any corporation that wants to develop teamwork or is interested in bridging the gap between rural and urban education.