Santiago Chinese School

Santiago is a beautiful city in South America. Whether they come from distant lands like Taiwan, the US and Canada, or from countries close by, few visitors to Chile fail to extol the city. Its climate is pleasant, its fruit plentiful, its scenery lovely, and its people warm and polite. The nation is politically and economically stable, and the society is peaceful. So the people who immigrate here seldom have plans to move on elsewhere, and they end up living here for decades.

Today there are more than 100 Chinese households that have moved from Taiwan to Chile. In all walks of life they have had considerable success. It is in such a tranquil and prosperous expatriate existence that the second generation of Chinese has begun to flourish in Chile. Some of them take over established family businesses; others study at local universities. Some have returned to Taiwan or gone on to the US for further education. Some have been born in Chile and are attending elementary school and high school here. During the process of growing up, mothers and fathers want to choose for their children the best schools and wholeheartedly nurture a balanced development in terms of morality, knowledge and physical strength. But beyond these concerns, the most important thing, by which every head of every household stands firm, is to educate their children not to forget that they are Chinese, that they cannot lose their Chinese cultural outlook, that they cannot lose their identity.

The development of the Santiago Chinese School, this haven of Chinese-language education, started due to the diligent efforts of a group of mothers who were united with a passionate commitment to Chinese education. Three short years ago, the school had only one little Chinese-language class. Today, not only is the number of students rapidly increasing, but the school's administration and educational activities are all well in order, and the administrative structure is in good shape too. You could say that although the school is small, it has everything it needs.

In June of this year, Minister of the Overseas Chinese Affairs Commission John H. Chang went on a friendship tour of many different countries in Central and South America. His first stop in Chile was the Santiago Chinese School, at which he arrived on June 21. Long before Mr. Chang actually arrived, all the school's staff, as well as the mothers who do volunteer work, were all beside themselves with excitement and got busy making preparations. The children had flowers to offer him. We artfully and skillfully arranged a tea party. The principal went to special efforts to write a report, and many of the things the children made in class were put on display. We put a lot of energy into everything. On the afternoon of that day, Mr. Chang, accompanied by Taipei Economic and Cultural Office Representative Steven Wang and other officials, entered the front door of the school. Our little school was honored by his presence. In a simple speech, Ms. Huang Pi-lien, the school principal, systematically explained how the school was started and brought into smooth operation, and the visions for its future expansion. Following that was an inspection tour of all the classrooms, and we briefly introduced the teacher's educational methodology and the students' achievements. Later on Representative Wang and Director Liang of the Overseas Chinese Society made additional comments, expressing their feelings of support and concern. Without a doubt, the Santiago Chinese School has been built by virtue of the entire overseas Chinese community's esprit de corps and the guidance of the Economic and Cultural Office.

Overseas Chinese education is always fraught with difficulties, no matter in what country it is undertaken. There must be a strong demand, as well as the whole-hearted participation of the parents and the commitment of the teachers. Every part is essential. And creating a firm foundation for the school also depends on the stability of the ROC government. I am filled with admiration for Minister Chang, because despite the difficulties involved he is able to personally visit overseas Chinese communities and schools all over the world. With a serious attitude of complete devotion to duty and appropriate friendliness he has stood before the teachers and students of overseas Chinese schools as a fine example of a civil servant.

Upon departing, Minister Chang said, "Of the many countries I've been to, the [Chinese] name chosen for this country, Zhili ( 智利), is the very best, and the most meaningful. Zhi is wisdom, resourcefulness, intelligence; li is lucky, smooth, beneficial...." Every Chinese person who lives in Santiago, Chile can be encouraged to prosper in this foreign land.

[Picture Caption]

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All the faculty and volunteer mothers of the Santiago Chinese School pose with OCAC Minister John H. Chang during the visit of this esteemed guest. (Contributing writer pictured in the front row, second from the right)