In rural Shandong, a year-round school operating through summer break has become a lifeline for children with disabilities and their families. The Qide Peizhi School in Rizhao's Juxian county, established 19 years ago, is a private special education institution that serves children with intellectual, physical, and mental disabilities from across China.

The school was founded in 2007 by Ding Tianbao, a former middle school teacher and principal. After witnessing the struggles of families with disabled children, he left his job and raised funds to establish a residential boarding school. "I saw so many families with nowhere to turn and wanted to create a place of opportunity for them," Ding said.

Ding Tianbao (left 3) walks with students. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Currently, Qide Peizhi serves 453 students from 11 provinces across the country. The school offers a full educational pathway, from compulsory education to vocational training, rehabilitation, and supported employment. Students with severe disabilities receive around‑the‑clock care, while vocational programs in tea planting, car washing, baking, and handicrafts give older students practical skills and even a modest income.

To ensure the school's future, Ding signed a 50‑year lease on the facility, a commitment that will carry him well into his eighties. "I have dedicated my life to this," he said. For hundreds of children and their families, Ding's school is more than an institution; it is a home. Its long-term approach offers a practical model for addressing gaps in special education services, particularly in under-resourced areas.

Qide Peizhi School, established in 2007 in Juxian county, Shandong province, serves 453 students from 11 provinces across China now, offering them second chances to live a better life. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]