Education reaches new heights in China

No signal

The Qinghai Province of China is vast, covering 270 square km. For the 400,000 inhabitants of this region, daily life is a constant struggle defined by extreme isolation, hazardous weather and widespread poverty. The complex terrain and harsh climate means that many of the villages in the province are denied internet or even basic connectivity.

8 month winters

One such place is the remote Duogai village, where conditions are extremely challenging. Located 4300m above sea level, Duogai’s winters last for 8 months. At the local boarding school many of the children only see their parents twice a year.

Mission impossible

In September 2017 everything changed for Duogai. China Unicom decided to attempt the impossible and connect an area previously believed to be unconnectable. Despite the countless problems caused by the punishing weather, China Unicom successfully installed 20km of optical cable and constructed multiple base stations.

School trip

Xuemei Sun bravely accepts Case For Change’s mission to visit the school in Duogai and learn how life has changed for the teachers and students there and experiences first hand just how severe Qinghai’s climate can be.