Besides the economic growth achieved by China, in the remote mountaineous regions of southern China, the minorities people are still very poor. Their income per capita is about US$ 30 a year. In the villages of north Guangxi province, many families cannot afford to send their children to school. If they can send one, the give priority to the boys, because they are called on to support the family, while girls will go to live with their in-laws. So the young girls help to tend the flocks, carry on their back their younger brother and help to do the housework.
Since 1998 Couleurs de Chine has been arranging sponsorships for children of ethnic minorities, mainly girls, from the Great Miao Mountains (in the north of Guangxi province and south-east Guizhou). In July 2009, more than 5200 children (most are girls) have been able to start school or continue their studies thanks to the sponsors who have agreed to help them throughout their school careers. In addition, “Couleurs de Chine” ensures the building and the rehabilitation of schools and dormitories. "Couleurs de Chine " helps also the local population to preserve their cultural heritage.
60 € per year for primary school 60 € will enable a child to attend primary school for a year. Primary school lasts for six years (with the possibility of an additional year for nursery school. Lower secondary lasts three years and upper secondary (for the better students) another three years. It is possible to pay for several years in advance.