In these towering mountain ranges, spanning elevations of 3,000 to 4,000 meters in Yunnan's Lijiang, thrive a diverse and culturally rich mix of ethnic minorities including the Nakhi, Bai, Yi, and Lisu peoples. Yet, due to challenging transportation, inadequate teaching conditions, and severe brain drain, educational opportunities for these children living in the mountains are hindered. Thus, since 2006, Zhi-shan has spearheaded scholarship programs to assist economically disadvantaged children in pursuing education.
Today, in response to China's targeted poverty alleviation policies and changing circumstances, the initiative transitioned into the Yunnan "By your side Plan in Yunnan" in 2021. It actively seeks to "enhance the quality of rural education," aiming to accompany children from the mountains in diverse explorations, fostering a joy for learning.

Service site story

The 10 day volunteer program has come to an end, and what impressed me the most was a student in the Bai Mai group. He almost got into a fight with someone on the first day and burst into tears on the last day. I was really touched. His family environment was very bad. His parents were laissez-faire with his younger brother. They basically didn't care about him. He was the only one who took care of him. And the reaction in the village was probably very bad. All the pressure was on the child. On the last day, he hugged me and laughed and then cried. He couldn't hold it back. I felt that the thinking in the village is still backward, and the children lack companionship and care. In the future, I will contact them frequently and bring them the love I can. I also call on my classmates to join this service team. I hope the children will get better and better! It's not that we met them at the best time, but that they met us at the best age! (Volunteer student He from Langfang Normal University)