Background & Purpose of the Program

On May 12, 2008, the 7.9 magnitude earthquake struck China’s Sichuan Province, killing nearly 70,000 people and leaving 5 million homeless. Some 3,400 primary schools need to be rebuilt in Sichuan and neighboring Gansu and Shaanxi provinces. According to state media, the Chinese government estimates it will cost $147 billion to rebuild the cities after the massive earthquake. This devastating news has touched the hearts of many people around the world.

The Confucius Institute at Arizona State University has been actively involved in supporting and organizing meaningful activities related to schools and children affected by the quake. Among the long-term humanitarian projects to aid the Sichuan schools is a new Adopt-a-School Program.

On June 13, 2008, Mr. Tom Horne, Superintendent of Public Instruction at the Arizona Department of Education, sent out a letter to all public schools in Arizona to urge participation in this effort. Please click here for the letter sent out by Superintendent Tom Horne. The goals of this exciting program are to help Sichuan rebuild its schools and to develop strong ties between young people in Arizona and Sichuan. This unique opportunity is part of our mission to promote cultural understanding and prepare students to interact in a global environment. We are encouraged by the partnership with the Arizona Department of Education and the tremendous support from Arizona schools and teachers.

We are looking forward to your participation and working with you on this project. For more information or for an application, please contact Fannie Tam at fannie.tam@asu.edu or 480.965.7179.

Application Materials:

Please click here for an application and fax it back to Fannie Tam at 480.965.8317.

Past Events

Donation From Rhodes To Luojiang Middle School: Rhodes Junior High World Studies Academy in Mesa joins ASU CI’s Adopt-A-School program to adopt Luojiang Middle School in Sichuan to help rebuild its schools and to develop strong ties between students of the two schools. In 2009, students at Rhodes organized a Multicultural Fashion Show and donated $300 of the proceed to Luojiang Middle School.