School for the blind next project for former Microsoft executive

School for disadvantaged students

In 2007, Burton became a member of the board of the Bright Angel Foundation, run by the Chinese Red Cross. This year, the foundation established Forerunner College, a non-profit school near Guiyang, to serve disadvantaged students in the west – one of the country’s poorest regions. Burton has been appointed its vice president. He will also teach English and computer courses.

The school, located in White Bird River Village, Huishui County, offers a strong academic and practical/vocational curriculum. It can accommodate 2,000 students, 200 of whom are blind.

“More than 60 percent of students will receive either a full or a half scholarship,” Burton said. “All our blind students will receive a full scholarship.”

Burton’s wife Anne and his two daughters Jessica, 15, and Sophie, 12, will join him from their US home in Seattle. Anne, who used to be a gymnast, will serve as the school’s sports director. Burton said they have already sent him a truckload of gymnastics equipment for the school.

Staying the course

Burton expects to devote himself to the college’s development in the next year or two. “It might take one or two years, maybe even three years for us to get the school on the right track,” he said, “but it doesn’t matter as long as we’re on the way.”

When the college begins to show results, Burton said he plans to ask his former Microsoft colleagues for help in building more schools for disadvantaged students.
“Nothing is impossible,” he said with a smile.