Supporting Children's Studies in Rural Regions in China

The Shimadzu Group aims to pursue planetary health (the well-being of mankind and the Earth), and holds CSR activities in a variety of regions around the world. Shimadzu (China) Co., Ltd. (SSL), visited two rural regions in China in May and June, where school supplies and tools for hands-on science experiments were offered to the children.

Giving Flight to Children’s Dreams with Books

On May 9, Ichiro Ogura, SSL Vice Chairman, as well as 10 SSL labor union members, departed Shanghai and Kunming for Hade Village in Sanmeng, Luchun County, Yunnan Province. Their car contained 666 picture books and illustrated reference books donated by the staff, as well as hairpins and hair bands handmade by the labor union handicraft group.

SSL members visiting Hade Village

Ichiro Ogura (Left), SSL Vice Chairman, presents the books

It was about a 6-hour drive from Kunming to Hade Village. It was evening by the time the group reached Hade Village, but everyone in the region greeted them warmly, and a presentation ceremony was held. Every book was presented on this occasion with the hopes of the SSL members that the children would use the books as wings to help them soar out into the world and achieve their respective dreams.

After sunset, they and the children lit up the square with balloon-shaped lights. The lights represented the success of the first civilian manned balloon flight in Japan, which was held in 1877 by Genzo Shimadzu Sr., the founder of Shimadzu Corporation.

At daybreak on May 10, the SSL employees took on the role of science mentors and gave lessons on the theme of light. The children learned about the color of the light they encounter in everyday life, as well as optical diffraction and transmission, and applications of optical technology. They then assembled cardboard spectroscopes and observed the sunlight.

Studying in a Comfortable Environment, Discovering the Wider World

On June 11, the employees visited an elementary school in Sanguanmiao in Dangshan County, Suzhou City, Anhui Province, where they donated items and shared knowledge with the students. To ensure that the schoolhouse is a comfortable environment for the children and teachers, they replaced the classroom doors, which had partially deteriorated with age, with new ones. They also installed energy-efficient air conditioners in the teachers’ room and the security office.

In response, Zhao Peng, Deputy County Mayor of Dangshan County, expressed his gratitude for the goodwill activities by everyone at Shimadzu. He hoped that such kindness would encourage the children in their studies.

SSL employees handing out knapsacks, pencil cases, stationery, and other school supplies to the children

Zhao Pen, Deputy County Mayor of Dangshan County

After this, two SSL employees gave lessons to the children. Yao Jianguo noted that March of this year marked the 150th anniversary of Shimadzu Corporation, and while touching on his own thoughts about when he was a child, he talked about how science changes the world. At the end, he provided encouragement for the children, asking them to hold onto their curiosity about the world and to apply their knowledge in order to investigate the wider world.

Two SSL Managers, Yao Jianguo (Left) and Xing Wei

Xing Wei talked about sustainable development goals (SDGs). He explained the meaning of various targets, including “No Poverty,” “Affordable and Clean Energy,” and “Quality Education.” He also provided familiar examples and explained some of the initiatives at Shimadzu. The children learned that even tiny actions by each of them can be opportunities to change the world.

The staff at SSL believe that such CSR activities might not result in an immediate change in circumstances, but that providing the children with books, touching on science, and teaching them about SDGs plant seeds in their hearts that, with time, can be nurtured. The employees plan to continue implementing science classes in various regions in China. The Shimadzu Group will continue to pursue the well-being of mankind and the Earth.