Legacy of Learning, Inner Mongolia 2000

'Legacy of Learning', a partnership with the All China Women's Federation and the Women's Federation of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, provided funds to ensure that young girls in Inner Mongolia could not only complete their compulsory six year education, but also acquired practical skill training in horticulture and animal husbandry and basic veterinary science, giving consideration to local conditions and production requirements. Other subjects included Maths, English, Chinese, Physics, Chemistry, Ethics and Physical Education.

The Legacy of Learning Project has achieved remarkable results - about 700 impoverished girls have returned to school. With the further help of the project, there were two intakes of students for three year courses.  From the first intake, 13 students were then individually sponsored by Soroptimist clubs to complete secondary education and many went on to complete tertiary education as well.  The project also raised awareness in at least one province where the "governor" told SI that they were going to fund more education for girls.

Nine training facilities were built to meet their study needs, including a greenhouse for growing vegetables and flowers, a sty, a cowshed and a forage base. In May 2002, Soroptimist International sent a group to Inner Mongolia to see firsthand the implementation of the project. The team had close talks with the girls, and provided lectures on HIV/AIDS prevention.