'Dehua' saves parents' time, helps youngsters earn pocket money

This summer in Xiamen, East China's Fujian province, a novel job opportunity called "Dehua" has emerged and quickly gained popularity.

This innovative service provides much-needed childcare solutions for families while offering university students a way to earn money and gain valuable social experience.

Dehua, a popular internet term in recent years, specifically refers to college students or young people who take on the responsibility of caring for their siblings' children during holidays. It originates from the character Jiang Dehua, known for her childcare role in the TV series Romance of Our Parents.

A student from the College of Foreign Languages and Cultures at Xiamen University, surnamed Li, was among the first to embrace this opportunity. Through Zhipin.com, an online recruitment platform, she connected with families needing tutoring, playtime companionship, and school pick-up and drop-off services for children. Working four to six hours a week, she earns 50 yuan ($6.99) per hour.

"I can earn some pocket money while gaining teaching experience," Li said.

She added that this summer part-time job has provided her with a deeper understanding of the educator's role, which has been invaluable for her future career plans.

While the job was rewarding, it came with its challenges. Li said she had to manage scheduling conflicts with her classes by coordinating with parents to find spare time.

Motivating children who were less interested in studying was another hurdle, but she emphasized the importance of encouragement and keeping parents informed to boost the children's confidence.

As the demand for Dehua services grew, a Xiamen-based housekeeping company introduced its own version, branded as Super Brother and Super Sister. "We developed the idea to free up parents' time, allowing them to enjoy more quality moments with their kids," said the company manager, surnamed Yang.

Yang added that the initiative became a summer hit within 50 days of its launch, achieving a 98 percent customer satisfaction rate and boasting the highest repeat purchase rate among all the products on the platform.

Yang explained that their rigorous hiring process, which includes psychological testing, background checks, and health screenings, ensures that only qualified university students join their team.

The company also provides tailored one-to-one packages to meet diverse family needs. For younger children, the emphasis is on developing good learning habits through two hours of study and crafts each day. For those in Grade 3 and above, the service focuses on three hours of daily homework assistance.

"Unlike traditional nannies, these college students can help my kid with summer homework and accompany her in completing assignments and playing," said one father, praising the program.

He noted that Super Brother is well-liked by his child for being personable and responsible.

Another client shared that her nine-year-old son, who previously needed repeated reminders to tidy his desk, now actively shows off his new skills, saying, "Look at the method I learned from Super Brother."

Yang mentioned plans to extend the service beyond the summer season, aiming to transform it from a seasonal trend into a sustainable business by integrating standard training with specialized courses.

Tan Xinni, a lawyer from the Fujian Far and Wide Law Firm, stressed the importance of safety and legal protection for students. She advised them to use reputable platforms for job searches and recommended having a written contract to clearly outline services, hours, and compensation.

Contact the writers at dengrui@chinadaily.com.cn