The volunteers are at the Mingshan Number One Middle School, which is in the mountains of Sichuan, about 1-2 hours from the capital of the province, Chengdu. The area is beautiful and lush, surrounded by rice paddies and tea plantations. The Mingshan School is on the outskirts of a small town, and is a famous and special educational institution. There are 2000 students in the school. They come from all over Sichuan and beyond, and are in the main, children of very poor country farmers.
The poverty in the surrounding areas is evident and the average income for the district is only $1.00 a day. In order to be accepted to the school the students take rigorous tests and competition is fierce for places. The government funds the school and has made an effort to bring excellent teachers and create a first class academic environment. As a result it is considered a reservoir of future leaders, with a high percentage of students going onto university. In the centre of the school is an ancient Confucian Temple, which was protected from destruction during the Cultural Revolution. It is a transformative place, and the students are aware of the privilege of being part of it.