A place where young people can shine

Through the interaction with Yueliang and her friends, Tang became aware of the plight many children face in the neighborhood. He came to understand that they often felt misunderstood and were often overlooked by the adults in their lives.

This motivated him to expand his work. In 2019, he turned the store into a community educational art project for children — Kindergarten Without Walls.

"'Without Walls' stands for breaking boundaries, and embracing freedom and openness. 'Kindergarten' refers to its somewhat lighthearted, childlike setting," Tang explains. "However, our kindergarten is not only for little kids, but also for high school students, ranging from 3 or 4 years old to 18 years old."

He believes that Kindergarten Without Walls has the potential to reach a global audience and create a borderless community online. "We can use the current space as a base to try online workshops, not limited by countries and regions, and embrace the world in the future," he says.

Tang began to study child psychology in 2018. To better help the children in his neighborhood, he has participated in online discussions with the Psychological Analysis Society in Guangzhou, Guangdong province, since 2019.

"Every counselor needs someone they trust to supervise and support them. Even though most of the time I just listen to the children, I'm still under a lot of pressure," he says.

At Kindergarten Without Walls, children have the opportunity to explore and experience the outside world. Every Friday night, the Quality Time Variety Store transforms into a movie hub, screening international blockbusters from Disney, Hayao Miyazaki's Studio Ghibli, as well as popular films from theaters. "We typically have 10 to 20 children from the neighborhood joining us for movie nights," Tang says.

Ke Youyou, 17, sometimes helps Tang to select and play movies. Her role as a volunteer from the neighborhood provides her with a unique insight into the inclusive and nurturing environment cultivated in the project. "All kinds of children can play in the kindergarten. It's inclusive, without cliques. It's very child-friendly. The absence of school rules and regulations fosters a sense of freedom and relaxation, which allows children to explore and learn," she says.

Tang and the volunteers invite friends from different backgrounds to share their insights with the children. They also organize flea markets in the neighborhood where the children can sell their paintings, old books and toys.

Kindergarten Without Walls started an art festival in 2022, inviting people from all over the country to take part. With around 100 participants so far, the festival has been held twice so far — for two days in November 2022, for two and a half days in August 2023 — and is scheduled to continue this year.

It has been held in vacant shops in the community, and neighbors such as grocery stores and barber shops are willing to provide space. The range of activities available, from woodworking and improvised drama to printmaking and pottery, offers a rich artistic experience for all involved, according to Tang.

Kindergarten Without Walls also holds a "store manager for a day" weekly activity, which invites children from the neighborhood to take on the role of a manager. The "manager" is expected to organize a day of activities in the variety store, complete with games and sales of items like books, embroidery, and postcards.