When art meets philanthropy and education connects with nature, a meaningful summer gathering celebrating growth, responsibility, and compassion unfolded at Dehong Shanghai.
In June, Dehong Shanghai, in partnership with the One Planet Foundation, successfully hosted the Assemble Forces to Forge a Brilliant Future, Walk with Love Toward A Brighter Future - 2026 Dehong Shanghai Summer Charity Event. Supported by the FoD Parent Leadership Team, the Elementary and Secondary School Creative Arts Departments, as well as students, parents, and staff across the Dehong community, the event continued the spirit of the community charity bazaar held during Dehong Shanghai's 9th Founder’s Day celebrations in April. Through a charity lecture, student art exhibitions, a silent auction, and artwork sponsorships, the event brought together arts education, environmental awareness, and community service, raising funds for the Nature Classroom programme, which provides high-quality environmental education resources to children in rural communities.
This also marks the third consecutive year that Dehong Shanghai has partnered with the One Planet Foundation to carry out community charity initiatives. From supporting the migratory bird conservation project at Chongming Dongtan Wetland in 2024, to protecting the Yangtze finless porpoise in 2025, and now promoting environmental education for rural children in 2026, the Dehong community has continued to respond to real-world challenges through meaningful action. These initiatives reflect the school's commitment to holistic education, nurturing future global citizens with compassion, responsibility, and a global perspective.
From Estuary Wetlands to Rural Classrooms: Bringing Nature Education to More Children
The event featured two inspiring keynote speakers: Dr. Wenwei Ren, Adjunct Professor at Tongji University’s College of Environmental Science and Engineering, member of the Independent Advisory Committee for International Wetland Cities, and Scientific Advisor to the One Planet Foundation; and Ms. Lin Chen, Environmental Education Consultant for WWF and Senior Environmental Education Manager at the One Planet Foundation.
In his presentation, Protecting Estuaries for a Healthier Yangtze, Dr. Ren reflected on the achievements of the Chongming Dongtan migratory bird conservation project previously supported by the Dehong community, while explaining the vital ecological role of estuaries in protecting biodiversity. "Estuaries are where rivers meet the sea," Dr. Ren explained. "They provide critical habitats for fish, benthic organisms, and rare wildlife, while serving as indispensable stopover sites for millions of migratory birds." Drawing on years of fieldwork in wetland conservation, he shared vivid case studies and images illustrating the importance of ecological restoration, biodiversity protection, and public participation, inspiring students and parents alike to reflect on environmental stewardship.
Ms. Chen introduced this year's featured charity project, Nature Classroom, through her presentation A Nature Dream for Rural Children. She shared, "We asked children to create simple drawings on the theme Me and Wildlife before and after participating in the programme. After completing the lessons, their artwork showed richer natural environments, a deeper understanding of wildlife, more scientific observation methods, and even a noticeable shift in how they perceived their relationship with animals. Most encouragingly, we saw them become much more confident." Through video lessons, teacher resources, curriculum kits, student workbooks, and hands-on activities, the programme brings environmental education into rural classrooms, helping children develop an appreciation for nature while fostering environmental responsibility and a commitment to sustainable development.
At Dehong, education extends far beyond the classroom. Through community service initiatives like this, students learn that the true value of knowledge lies not only in learning, but also in taking action to create positive change.
Art in Service of Charity: Turning Creativity into Kindness
During the event, the theatre foyer was transformed into a vibrant charity art gallery filled with creativity and warmth. Visitors explored exhibitions featuring artwork by Elementary and Secondary School students, alongside a silent auction showcasing selected pieces. Families moved thoughtfully through the exhibition, pausing to admire the artwork and sharing reflections with teachers, friends, and one another.
Students from Grades 3 to 5 in the Elementary School created works inspired by the theme Nature, Memory and Nostalgia. Their pieces combined realistic depictions of landscapes with more abstract artistic interpretations, expressing both the beauty of nature and deeply personal emotional connections to places and memories. Many works conveyed a strong sense of nostalgia, drawing inspiration from meaningful childhood experiences.
The Secondary School exhibition showcased outstanding artwork produced by students in Grades 9 to 12 throughout the academic year. Exploring the theme of Nature, the collection ranged from detailed observations of landscapes and living forms to conceptual works inspired by ecology, environmental issues, and sustainability. Through painting, mixed media, printmaking, and other artistic approaches, students combined personal perspectives with broader social themes, demonstrating both strong artistic technique and independent critical thinking.
As more bids appeared on the auction sheets, generosity quietly grew alongside them. Each artwork represented not only students' creativity and personal expression, but also became a meaningful bridge connecting the Dehong community with charitable causes, allowing the value of artistic creation to extend well beyond the classroom.
A Community United in Kindness
Charity has never been the work of one individual—it is something a community creates together.
During the event, Grade 9 students Taylor and Sonia shared their experiences volunteering at the Magie Animal Shelter and organising fundraising initiatives. From caring for rescued animals to leading community fundraising campaigns, they demonstrated the responsibility, leadership, and service spirit that define Dehong students, inspiring everyone present with their commitment to meaningful social causes.
Meanwhile, the FoD Parent Leadership Team played an instrumental role in recommending the project, connecting resources, and coordinating the event. It was through the parents' enthusiastic support that Nature Classroom was selected as this year's featured charity initiative. Together, parents, students, teachers, and charitable organisations have built a unique culture of community service at Dehong.
From classroom learning to community engagement, and from artistic creation to charitable action, Dehong believes that education is not simply about acquiring knowledge—it is about cultivating responsibility and empowering students to make a difference.
Let Kindness Grow, Let Education Flourish
Following the final tally, the combined fundraising efforts from April's Founder’s Day Community Charity Bazaar and this Summer Charity Event raised a total of RMB 38,838 for the Nature Classroom programme.
Our heartfelt thanks go to the FoD Parent Leadership Team, the One Planet Foundation, the Elementary and Secondary School Creative Arts Departments, and every student, parent, and staff member whose support made this event possible.
From protecting migratory birds to safeguarding the Yangtze finless porpoise; from wetland conservation to environmental education for rural children; from a single student artwork to an entire community initiative, the Dehong community continues to demonstrate the power of education grounded in compassion and responsibility.
May every seed of kindness planted today take root and flourish tomorrow. May art and philanthropy continue to go hand in hand, inspiring more children to grow through education, connect with nature, and discover a wider world through the power of love.
