Transforming Shui Jiang Middle School
A Journey of Art, Connection, and Healing The Hidden Cost of Economic Growth in China
In 2022, over 295 million rural migrant workers drove China’s economic growth. However, behind the prosperity lies a social cost: fractured families, especially for children left behind in the countryside. These "left-behind children" often feel invisible, struggling with loneliness and emotional scars.
Since 2005, Lily has worked with Dandelion School in Beijing, helping migrant children build confidence through art. But her heart has always been with those who couldn’t join their parents in the cities. This led her to Shui Jiang Middle School, a remote school in Henan Province, where 500 left-behind children were yearning for change.
The Shui Jiang Transformative Art Project
Nestled in the picturesque mountains of Shui Jiang, the school was modern but lacked an arts program. Principal Xie Fang expressed her desire to make the school a place of joy and creativity, like Dandelion School in Beijing.
The school yard at Shui Jiang Middle School.
Homes amidst the terraced rice fields in Shui Jiang.
Our team, including art teachers and volunteers, arrived to a warm welcome. Over several workshops, students shared their visions—trees, flowers, geometric designs—and their inner worlds began to bloom.
The entire student body, teachers and administration gather in the school yard for an assembly to welcome Lily Yeh and Principal Zheng Hong from Dandelion School.
Shui Jiang students attending a prentation by Lily Yeh in advance of hands-on art workshops.
One of the most emotional moments came from Xie Yazhuan, a young girl whose mother worked far away. She painted a flower symbolizing her longing for her mother, a poignant reminder of how art bridges the distance between hearts.
Finding the Right Canvas
The search for a suitable wall led us to a decaying water tower. It wasn’t ideal, but it became the perfect canvas for the first mural of Shui Jiang.
The water tower as it was when we arrived to the school.
The water tower after it had been prepared for the mural.
A Communal Event
The act of painting became a performance, with an audience watching in awe.
Lily Yeh designed the mural while volunteer artists ensured steady progress. This collaborative effort allowed students and teachers to participate at their own pace, creating an atmosphere of excitement and joy.
Students help to trace the outline of the mural designed by Lily Yeh at night.
Volunteers help to paint the mural.
The Shui Jiang Mural: A Symbol of Connection
The mural we created became a powerful symbol of the school’s spirit. Designed around a "Tree of Life," it featured vibrant flowers representing the students' personal stories, raindrops symbolizing Shui Jiang School, and floating dandelions as an homage to Dandelion School which has been providing inspiration and support.
At the dedication ceremony, the entire school community gathered to share songs, testimonies, gratitude, and joyous hopes for the future.
The completed Shui Jian Tree of Life mural.
Dedication ceremony for the mural at the completion of Shui Jiang project.
Story-Telling Poles: Bringing Students’ Visions to Life
We also created "story-telling poles" in the school garden, inspired by the students’ designs. These poles reflected the beauty of the surrounding landscape and the students’ connection to their rural home.
(Above Left) landscape paintings and a geometric designs by students, (Above Right) Xiao Cai and Li Shikai, volunteer artists experimented with column designs.
The Art of Transformation
Working with 500 students to create art required patience and creativity. We focused on the process, not perfection, encouraging students to experiment, collaborate, and express themselves freely. The result wasn’t just artwork—it was a deeper belief in their own creative potential.
Panoramic view of the poles installed in the schoolyard.
Principal Xie’s Reflection
“Your work has transformed not just their skills but their spirits. Art has given them the freedom to express themselves, and that changes everything. In a system obsessed with test scores, your presence is a lifeline. You’ve shown us that hope can be realized through creative action.”
A Lasting Impact
The Shui Jiang Transformative Art Project is just the beginning. Through art, we can help bridge the gap for China’s left-behind children, offering them a voice, a connection, and a future filled with possibility.
