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!”
