Culture Regeneration Research Society — Toronto Chapter
The Culture Regeneration Research Society (CRRS) was founded in Vancouver, Canada, in 1994. CRRS is a non-profit, non-political cultural and academic organization committed to cultural renewal, dialogue between Chinese and Western cultures, life renewal, community care, and educational support.
In 2003, CRRS established its Toronto Chapter. That same year, the Toronto Chapter held its first “Nurturing Young Lives in China” fundraising dinner and began participating in educational work in rural China.
For more than two decades, volunteers, supporters and friends in the Toronto community have taken part through fundraising, student visits, educational exchange and youth engagement, building connections with students and educators in rural China.
We believe education is about more than financial assistance. It is also about offering support, care and companionship during important stages of a young person’s growth.
More Than Two Decades of Educational Work
Since the China Education Project began in 2003, CRRS has responded to changing needs through a range of educational initiatives in rural China, including:
- Sponsorship for primary, secondary and university students
- Support for rural teachers
- Improvements to school buildings and student dormitories
- Learning resources and other educational initiatives
- Youth cross-cultural exchange and Project Shine
Since 2003, the China Education Project has provided more than 20,000 instances of student sponsorship.
Some of these initiatives have since completed their role. As China’s social and educational landscape and the needs of students have changed, the direction of the China Education Project has evolved accordingly.
Our Educational Work Today
Today, the China Education Project focuses more closely on the practical needs students face in pursuing their education, including educational sponsorship for vocational high school and university students.
Vocational High School Student Sponsorship in Guangxi
For students from families facing financial difficulties, vocational education can provide an important path to developing practical skills, continuing their education and preparing for the future.
CRRS provides educational sponsorship to help ease some of the financial pressure students and their families face, giving young people greater room to continue their studies.
University Student Sponsorship
For students from rural communities, being admitted to university is the beginning of another important stage.
Currently, a university student’s basic educational and living expenses are approximately RMB 20,000–30,000 per year. Tuition, accommodation, meals, internships, transportation and other educational needs can all place financial pressure on families with limited resources.
CRRS currently provides annual sponsorship of RMB 4,000 for students studying within Guangxi and RMB 5,000 for students studying outside Guangxi, with priority given to first-year university students.
This sponsorship does not cover all of a student’s expenses. Many students continue to rely on family support, part-time work and careful management of their living expenses to complete their studies.
Our purpose is not to replace the efforts of students themselves, but to provide practical support at an important stage of their education.
From Sponsorship to Relationship
Over the years, board members and volunteers from the Toronto Chapter have visited students, participated in educational exchanges and youth activities, and built relationships with students, teachers and local staff.
Volunteers participating in these visits also covered their own travel expenses so that more of the funds raised could go toward educational work.
Through these experiences, we have come to understand that educational support is about more than financial assistance. When people genuinely encounter one another, giving and receiving often go both ways.
Continuing the Journey
More than two decades have passed, and China’s social and educational landscape continues to change. CRRS has adapted its educational work in response to changing needs.
Some initiatives from earlier stages have been completed. Today, we focus on the educational needs students face now and seek to provide practical and appropriate support within the resources available to us.
Since 2003, the forms of our work may have changed, but our care for people has not.
We hope to continue alongside those who care about education, supporting young people through important stages of their growth and learning.
Learn More
For the latest information about the CRRS China Education Project and ways to participate, please visit the Culture Regeneration Research Society’s China Education Project page.