Friday, February 15, 2008

Love Can Melt the Snow

I received the following email this morning from Half the Sky Foundation and wanted to post it here. I am so touched by the dedication of the orphange staff but it also makes me sad when I think about all the children who don't have families to keep them warm and provide for their basic needs. Please help me pray for the orphans in China and in other parts of the world. It is a long email but I think you will be touched from reading it.
Hello again from Half the Sky,

The warmer weather seems to be holding and the orphanages we’ve been in constant contact with are all struggling to return life to something like normal. We are coming close to completing the needs list http://halfthesky.org/work/littlemouse.php. If you’ve been concerned about a particular orphanage and don’t find it on the list, it’s highly likely that they either have no storm-related needs or they have found help from local government or another organization. By early next week, I think we can promise that we’ll have found a way to reach everyone who needs help.

We estimate that total relief funds needed will be around 3 – 3.25 million yuan RMB (or US$420-450,000). Amazingly, donations continue to come in from all of you who love the children so. Our days have settled into a strange rhythm as we go between hearing about the struggles the orphanage directors are facing and opening the mail and finding your gifts that will surely make things better. Thanks to this most extraordinary community, we feel pretty confident now that we will be able to meet all of the institutions most urgent needs and have some funds left over to ensure provisions and supplies for a safer (or at least, better prepared) future for children in institutions.

Today we received a special letter from the director of the Chenzhou welfare institution. While it’s addressed to Half the Sky, it’s really for all of you who’ve watched and cared and done so much to help. So here's a New Year's gift from China to you - the story of the Spring Festival storms from someone who lives it still.

From Director Shi Xiangqun, Chenzhou – “Love Can Melt the Ice” -

“In late January of 2008, Chenzhou was attacked by an extremely severe snow disaster which had been rarely seen in history. Influenced by continuous bad weather, the electricity and water supply were cut off, the traffic was plagued, so was the communication network. Since Jan 1, there had been no more electricity and water supply in Chenzhou Children’s Welfare Institution. Lacking light, heat and water, the life of more than 100 children in the institution had come to a crisis. The children were in bad need of cotton clothes, quilts, and disposable diapers, etc. Food supply in the institution faltered. And a lot of trees in the yard had fallen down. Facing such a situation, leaders of the institution carried out a series of measures to fight against the snow disaster. And all staff of the institution took their initiative to be engaged in the disaster-relief work.

“On Jan 24, 2008, the directors of the institution reported to the municipal government about the snow disaster, and they managed to get supplies from the Civil Affairs department, which included staple food, vegetables, biscuits and some cotton clothes. They also organized the staff of the institution to purchase needed goods from the markets. These actions all helped to relieve the huge difficulties brought by the disaster.

“Since the electricity network of Chenzhou was destroyed in the disaster and the electricity cutoff lasted for more than 10 days, illuminating and heating system of the institution couldn’t function normally. So besides material supply, the institution also made a lot of efforts to ensure the heat supply. To prevent the babies from frostbite, the institution right away installed 22 furnaces that burned coal in the babies’ rooms. They also bought candles at a high price, to light the rooms up. The nannies put the children in thick clothes and quilts, and they accompanied the children by their cribs, warmed their quilts with hot-water bags.

“After the water supply was cut off, the institution tried hard to get enough water for the children’s daily needs. On one hand, they contacted the company producing purified water to buy bottled water. On the other hand, they requested the fire fighters to send enough water with fire engines. They also arranged all staff of the institution, the nannies and caregivers to fetch water from a well which was 800 meters away from the institution. It was such a long distance and they also had to go up and downstairs to carry the water. Plus the bad weather, the wet and slippery road, many people would fall down on the way and got themselves all wet.
However, none of them made any complaints. They just stood up again and kept on the work.

“After carrying water back and forth for 20 times a day, many staff got exhausted by the end of the day, while their effort paid off: they have ensured the children a normal life during the disaster. When thick snow and fallen trees blocked the way in the institution, the staff always worked in time to carry away the snow, fallen branches and leaves, as well as other garbage, to make sure the traffic in the institution smooth. Due to the electricity cutoff, the bank was closed, therefore the nannies and caregivers couldn’t get paid on time and the children’s daily necessities also couldn’t be purchased in time. As to this problem, the leaders and staff of the institution have tried to collect money by all means, to buy all kinds of needed materials, in order to prevent the children from cold and hunger.

“In China we have an old saying: A friend in need is a friend indeed and love can help us out of crisis. The Central Committee and the State Council have attached great importance to the disaster in Chenzhou. We got many national and international phone calls asking about the situation here and showing solicitude for children. “When disaster strikes, help comes from all sides.” The international long-distance call might be disrupted at any time. We appealed the departments involved to ensure people can get through to us and also worked to clear snow and ice on the line, in order to keep contact with the outside world in such bad weather.

“Half the Sky Foundation reached us immediately and paid close attention to the disaster all the time. Jenny, ZZ [Zhang Zhirong], Jeronia [Jeronia Muntaner, HTS Infant Nurture Program Director] and HTS field supervisors inquired about the situation and set about helping us in a variety of ways.

“In spite of long journey and cold weather, Richard [Richard Bowen] purchased a batch of disaster-relief goods in Guangdong Province and headed to Chenzhou which is more than 500km away in a Jeep. He arrived at our institution at 9pm on Feb. 5, 2008, offering us goods and money. As there was no electricity supply, he unloaded the goods together with institution staff by the faint light of candles. His arrival really meant a lot to us and the disaster-relief goods met our urgent needs. On the next day, Richard came to the institution early in the morning though he was pretty tired of the long journey and got detailed information about our difficulties in the disaster. He tried his best to help us solve some problems and before he left Chenzhou, he gave us 50,000 yuan and told us to face the disaster in a strong will. He said Half the Sky Foundation would strongly support Chenzhou Welfare Institution and never allow any child get hungry or cold. Yes, in front of natural disaster, there is no nationality difference in terms of love. True love can melt ice and snow and all difficulties can be overcome.

“In such a chilly winter, we feel rather warm because of your support and concern. The word “thanks” cannot express our moving feeling toward the foundation’s timely help. What we can do is only giving our sincere bless to all of you.

“Through out the fight against blizzards, all institution staff, Half the Sky nannies, teachers and caregivers stuck to their posts and performed their duties. Some people didn’t go home to have a reunion with their family members on the New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. Instead, they spent the festival with the children. On Feb. 9, 2008, thanks to the government’s leadership and repair workers’ hard work, the electricity power in our institution restored. On Feb. 10, 2008, water supply became normal and the children ushered in a bright Chinese New Year.

“When disaster struck, we didn’t fear or panic, we didn’t shrink back; what we had was determination, struggle and unity. From the very beginning, we held the belief that we could get through the disaster, and finally we did live through 20 days and nights without electricity and water.

“In the New Year, Director Shi Xiangqun, leading all staff, nannies and caregivers, would like to give our best regards to all members in Half the Sky Foundation: Happy New Year! May all your heart’s wishes be fulfilled!
All the best with your work! Live a happy life with your family!”



I couldn’t possibly say it better –

with love, Jenny

ps – This is the last time I will ask - If you would like to make a donation to the Little Mouse Emergency Fund please visit our website or click here:
http://give.halfthesky.org/prostores/servlet/Categories?category=Little+Mouse+Emergency+Fund


THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ALL YOU'VE DONE

Jenny Bowen
Executive Director
Half the Sky Foundation
www.halfthesky.org

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