There is a relative happy ending to this crisis. Hope all these kids will find their forever family soon.
> Date: Fri, 15 Feb 2008 02:17:54 -0800
> Subject: Love Can Melt the Ice – A story for you from China
> From: "Jenny Bowen" <jenny>
>
> 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/se ... gency+Fund
>
>
> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ALL YOU'VE DONE
>
> Jenny Bowen
> Executive Director
> Half the Sky Foundation
>
www.halfthesky.org
>
> Half the Sky was created in order to enrich the lives and enhance the
> prospects for orphaned children in China. We establish and operate infant
> nurture and preschool programs, provide personalized learning for older
> children and establish loving permanent family care and guidance for children
> with disabilities. It is our goal to ensure that every orphaned child has a
> caring adult in her life and a chance at a bright future.
>
>
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