Zhang Yang, a resident of Ningbo, Zhejiang province, has been leading efforts to promote reading among rural children through the Little Seed Charity Parent-Child Reading Club since 2018.

In 2015, Zhang launched the club, which initially focused on fostering communication between parents and children through reading. In 2018, Zhang and her team shifted their attention to rural areas.

They have since collaborated with experts to extend literacy programs to villages in Ningbo. The programs include various family reading activities at rural kindergartens, schools, and local cultural centers. To date, the team has conducted over 800 reading events across 40 villages, benefiting more than 20,000 rural children.

Zhang has also provided targeted training to volunteers on encouraging parents to read with their children, creating a skilled local team. Teachers, librarians, and employees from various companies in rural areas have joined the team, becoming vital contributors to the development of rural literacy.

They have also launched programs such as picture book courses and educational aid to support children of migrant workers and vulnerable groups and built over 100 book corners at rural schools. The picture book courses have been conducted over 300 times, benefiting more than 10,000 students, while the educational aid program has assisted over 300 children in need, distributing more than 237,000 yuan ($32,730) in aid.

"I hope to use my modest efforts to sow the seeds of reading in the heart of every rural child, helping them experience joy and empowerment through reading," Zhang said.