危险的上学之路

In a village in southwestern China's Guizhou province, students make their way to school by boat. It's a dangerous journey, especially on windy days. They have no choice--their village was split in two when a reservoir was constructed in 2006. Villagers in Geweng have been asking for a bridge to be built for two years.

Fan Sidan gets up at about six o’clock early morning every school day. Her parents are working in big cities. Only eight years old, she has learned to take care of herself and help her grandma around the home. After getting ready, the waiting begins. Her school is on the other side of the water, and there is only one boat to take all the students across.

"I hope they’ll build a bridge, so that we needn’t wait for the boat and other students any more. We will no longer be late for school." Fan said.

Five students are picked up here, and another nine from another wharf. Parents are anxious about their journey.

"We feel worried about the students boating every day to school. A bridge would make it safer. "

It takes 15 minutes to arrive at the other side. If one person is late, all 14 are late. And their teacher will have to wait for them to start class. After school, these students will also go back home by boat. This is the only iron boat in Geweng village. When it needs repairs, only a small wooden boat is available in its place, which is even more dangerous.

"The students like playing with the water. I have to watch out for them while driving the boat. I am worried they will fall into the water. " Fan said.

"We have already applied for a bridge to be built three times. The response is that there is not enough money and the population is small in Geweng.” Peng Maoliang, party secretary of Geweng village, said.

Although Geweng is the only village which was split in two, no plan was listed to build a bridge to connect the population of 600. So, there is no fund set aside for it. These students will have to take this risky route for a long time to come.