In January 2020, the Beijing Hongdiezhijia Women and Children Voluntary Service Center initiated the Project to Inspire Patriotism, Love for Party Among Children to promote the Party's traditions of revolution, and to promote traditional Chinese culture and socialist core values, among children. The center established the Beijing Red Children's Art Troupe, dedicated to promoting China's "red gene" among children. The troupe has organized, annually for the past three years, a competition to inspire patriotism and love for the Party among children. During the past three years, the troupe has organized more than 500 activities, during which more than 3,000 volunteers, from both home and abroad, have participated. More than 10 million people (from both home and abroad) have received information about the activities through various media outlets.

Online Readers

Shortly after the outbreak of novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19), in early 2020, many children attended their courses online. However, some children wasted much time and energy watching TV and/or playing online games.

Under the guidance of Beijing Women's Federation, the center in January 2020 initiated the project. That was a blessing for many residents, especially for those who were too busy to take care of their children.

Within a short time, the organizers held an online, public-welfare competition, during which children across the country read essays, with the theme of combating COVID-19. To reach the final (in September 2020), the contestants completed more than 20 rounds of contests, including the preliminary, arena and semi-final contests. Organizers also arranged for TV and radio announcers, TV and radio stations' hosts/hostesses and other professional speechmakers to provide a combined 31 courses, to help the contestants improve their language skills.

"Through the activities (conducted under the project), many children have not only increased their cultural and historical knowledge, but have also enhanced their cultural confidence. As they read the essays, the children boosted the positive energy of those who served on the anti-epidemic "battlefield" (across the country). Also, since they participated in the competition, many of the contestants have developed a deeper love for the Party, their mother country and the people," says Wang Zhen, planner of the project.

Outstanding Volunteers

Wang recently told media so far, the project team has recruited more than 1,000 volunteers, from different segments of society, including from enterprises and institutions, social organizations, research institutes, and institutes of higher learning. 

"Li Suli, one of our volunteers, has received many titles, including a National Model Worker, a National March 8th Red-Banner Holder, and one of the 'Most Beautiful Strivers.' As a judge, she has offered guidance to contestants (during the competition), to help them improve their performing and presentation skills. On the eve of International Children's Day (June 1) 2022, Li recorded a video, to extend best wishes to children across the country," says Wang. "Like Li, many volunteers have participated in our activities enthusiastically, to promote the revolutionary spirit and positive energy among residents."

During the past several years, the project team and the project have been named among top voluntary service organizations and top voluntary service projects (in China), respectively.

Awesome Troupe

In 2022, the project team arranged for children volunteers to hold art performances in communities, schools and homes for the elderly (in various regions in Beijing), to highlight the Party's brilliant achievements in promoting China's economic and social development.

To mark the 101st anniversary of the founding of the Party, the team on July 1, 2022, established a group of volunteers, under the Beijing Red Children's Art Troupe. The troupe's members have held various art performances across Beijing, to inspire patriotism and love for the Party, and to promote fine traditional Chinese culture among children. The events have provided a platform for the children to display their artistic talent. By the end of 2022, the troupe had organized more than 70 art performances in Beijing.

During the past three years, teenager Wang Zhengxuan has participated in many activities conducted by the team. During the 2021 children's online reading competition, she won several prizes, including the championship, the Best Popularity Award, and the Greatest Potentiality Award. "After I participated in the competition, and other activities (conducted by the troupe), I realized the happy lives we enjoy today are the result of numerous revolutionary martyrs, who sacrificed their lives for the nation. I will work hard to increase my knowledge, so I can serve my home country when I grow up," says Wang Zhengxuan.

"I have benefited greatly from the competitions, and volunteers' services, organized by the center during the past three years, as I have grown more independent and confident," says Mu Zihan, deputy head of the troupe.

Wang Zhen recently told media the troupe's key members have tried their best to overcome various challenges, as they have conducted activities during the past several years. "We believe all of our efforts have been worthwhile, as we have helped children and their families solve difficulties in their lives," says Wang.

(Women of China English Monthly June 2023 issue)