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Zuoqi 7th Middle School

SEE/Phelex Project of The Ecological/Agricultural Farm

Facts:

The Zuoqi 7 th Middle School is located in Alashan Zuoqi in Inner Mongolia , where it is populated by minorities including Mongolians, Manchurians, Koreans, Dahaner, and Muslins. It is 125 kilometers from the Zuoqi (county) government site. Many students are immigrants sent by the government as an action to protect the local environment. The action requires herdsmen to learn farming and stop stock-raising, as it causes rapid depletion of pastureland. These new immigrants find it difficult to pay for their children's schooling while trying to settle down and adjust to new life.

Tuition and fees per year	RMB 350 ($42.63)	Per capita annual income	RMB 1,700 ($207.06) in 1999
Number of teachers	120	Number of students	1200
Location	Alashan Zuoqi, Inner Mongolia

Photos:


Students are performing their morning exercises.		Students are preparing for the construction of the farm.

Vegetables are growing well within the greenhouses at the project base.		Project base

Project Developments:

In August 2005, the Phelex Foundation signed a contract to help a school build an ecological agricultural program.
In September, 2005, the Alax SEE Ecology Association donated RMB 136,944 and the Sustainable Tuition Aid Program was officially started.
In early December 2005, the two greenhouses were put into use. Under the canopies, eggplants, cucumbers, tomatoes and other vegetables were all planted and grew well. That winter, students did not only eat the fresh vegetables, but also studied planting techniques at the project base in their classes.
In March 2004, former plans to expand were delayed due to bad weather and local market factors. Previous plans were made with community council members, teachers, and agricultural expert to build jujube tree projects. Through negotiation and communication with Phelex Foundation and See Association,alterations to the plan were made.
On April 28, 2006, the land preparation and plantation of the project base began at the school.
On April 30, 2006, 117 students from Grade 9 joined in the jujube planting with direction and help from teachers and volunteers, and through this practice,the students gained great insight into agriculture and farming.Through the hard work of teachers and students alike,370 jujube trees were planted at 6:00 pm.
At 2:00 AM on May 1,2006, the watering work of the newly planted saplings was finished. On May 4, the construction of a second system was finished. Saplings were beginning to bud shortly thereafter.

Adoption Status: Adopted by Alax SEE Ecology Association