In Sunzigou Village, Lingjiang Town, Cangxi County, Sichuan Province, something simple yet heartwarming is happening. For years, left‑behind elderly grandparents lived alone, and children had nowhere to go during summer holidays. Now, the village has turned that around with two small but powerful ideas: group birthday parties for the old, and free summer care for the young.

Walk into the "Yiyang Courtyard"—a cozy corner inside the village’s newly built care center—and you’ll hear the familiar tune of "Happy Birthday." There, a dozen or so seniors sit around a table, smiling as they share a cake and chat. The laughter is real, the warmth tangible. It’s not a grand event, but for many who rarely get visitors, it means the world.

Just next door, in the "Tongqu Workshop," children are busy with their summer activities. The room is equipped with over a dozen learning and play stations—desks for homework, mats for exercise, and art supplies for crafts. The village’s resident cadres (local officials stationed in the community) act as volunteers, helping with tutoring, leading sports, and even bringing in literary magazines, creative gifts, and cooling supplies for the hot days. For kids from migrant worker families, this is a safe, engaging haven while their parents are away.

The entire facility—named the "Elderly‑Children Happiness Station"—was launched in August 2025, backed by a partnership between One Foundation, Alibaba Public Welfare, county government departments, and the township. Since then, it has hosted over 30 themed activities, from birthday celebrations to holiday camps, serving more than 3,000 visits in total. The model is straightforward: repurpose existing village space, tap into local staff and volunteers, and respond precisely to what the community actually needs—companionship for the aged, and supervision and growth for the young.

It’s not a flashy solution, but it works. In a country where rural aging and child‑care gaps are pressing challenges, Sunzigou offers a replicable, low‑cost blueprint that puts people first—without waiting for big infrastructure or massive funding. Here, the evening years feel a little warmer, and the morning of childhood shines a bit brighter.

(By Zhang Miao)

守护“一老一小” 绘就幸福底色

四川省苍溪县陵江镇笋子沟村针对留守老人居家孤单、假期孩童无人看管等实际问题，精准对接群众需求，推出集体祝寿、公益暑托等系列服务，用心用情照料老年群体、呵护少年儿童成长，让乡村的“夕阳”更温暖、“朝阳”更灿烂。

“祝你生日快乐，祝你生日快乐........”走进笋子沟村“一老一小”活动场所的“颐养小院”，这里正在举办一场温馨的集体生日会，老人们围坐在一起，脸上洋溢着幸福的笑容，欢快的生日歌声里满是温情与祝福。大家共享蛋糕、闲话家常，现场欢声笑语不断，暖意融融。

在暖心敬老的同时，笋子沟村积极解决乡村儿童暑期看护难题，开设公益暑期托管营。在“童趣小筑”，配备了10余种学习、娱乐设施，科学设置课业辅导、体育锻炼、手工美育等多元课程，兼顾学业查漏补缺与兴趣素质培养，为务工家庭子女搭建安全舒适的暑期学习活动平台。开营期间，派驻该村的驻村干部积极承担起志愿服务工作，还带来了文学杂志、文创物品和防暑用品，让孩子们在集体生活中度过一个充实又有意义的暑假。

2025年8月，在壹基金、阿里巴巴公益、县级有关部门、属地乡镇的联合支持下，陵江镇笋子沟村“一老一小”幸福站点建成投用，成为村里的“幸福阵地”。截至目前，已常态化开展假期托管等特色活动30余次，服务老年群体及少年儿童3000余人次，全方位满足老年群体休闲社交、少年儿童学习成长等多样化需求。
   （张苗）