A "dama" teaches how to draw bamboo during a traditional Chinese painting course at the University for Elder People in Haidian District on May 12 in Beijing. The university, founded in 1984, is the first university for senior citizens in the capital. At present, the university has two semesters, and the courses include calligraphy, traditional Chinese painting, Western painting, photography and computer science.
The Chinese term "dama," or middle-aged women, has become a buzzword in recent years because they used to recklessly invest in gold, bitcoins and overseas property markets. In many young people's eyes, "dama" are little more than bulging pockets and empty heads. However, a better representation of this Chinese term would be the person's energy, spirit, positive attitude and enthusiasm towards life. Born in the 1950s or 1960s, most of the "dama" experienced a very poor childhood and couldn’t afford to go to school. Now, thanks to government support for senior education and retirement pensions, "dama" finally have the opportunity to fulfill their dream of studying in a university.
