The situation in China

This holiday season, China is experiencing its worst weather in 50 years. The world has heard about millions of workers struggling to return home to family to welcome the Year of the Mouse. As our family heads of to Toronto today to celebrate the Chinese New Year, I thought I would send out an update on what we are hearing from Naomi and Lilah's first homes.

Our girls are both from Hunan province and we've been receiving daily updates from Half the Sky and CCAI about the conditions of each of their orphanages. Since Hunan is normally a very warm climate, the amount of snow that has fallen is unheard of. When we visited in August 2003, the temperatures were in the 40C range with humidity on top. In April 2005, the temperatures were in the 30C range and considered cool. Right now, blankets of snow cover Hunan and the temperatures are below freezing. This is causing greatest issues with power supply, water and food. We are also hearing that building structures are collapsing due to the weight and volumes of snow.

Lilah's first home (Chenzhou) is suffering the greatest of all the orphanages. The city is more isolated and smaller - so the infrastructure is poor in comparison to larger cities. A few days ago we heard that the entire city of Chenzhou is without power, and since the heating system in the orphanage is electric . . . there is little heat. The orphanage staff are burning coal - but this is very inefficient and getting quite expensive. Thefollowing comes from a Half the Sky report we received today:

"Chenzhou, Hunan – still facing the most difficulties of the orphanages we’ve reached. They’ve had no electricity or running water for 8 days and there is almost no possibility that power will be restored before New Year’s Eve (the 6th of February.) Because of the blackout, the hospital is closed. 20 children are ill and being cared for by institution staff as well as they can. The banks are closed so staff is contributing personal funds to buy food, coal and diapers. Prices are skyrocketing as all roads to Chenzhou remain impassable. UPDATE: The largest hotel in Chenzhou is running on one emergency generator and townsfolk who’ve been without power for days have filled all rooms and lobbies. There are very few places in town with even emergency power now. Hopes are to get some electricity by next weekend. UPDATE: The 20 sick children are being cared for by doctors from the local hospital (which is closed.) They are receiving IV's and medicine. Shi assures us that the children will be fine and that they will recover. They will feed the children and keep them warm no matter what. There is still no power. Families in Chenzhou are now rationed and can only buy 4 packages of noodles per family. The Civil Affairs Bureau delivered 3 sacks of rice to the institution. The are using candles but the cost per candle has gone from 20 cents to 5 yuan per candle. They are using coal to keep warm but the price of coal is skyrocketing. Two old people at the institution died. There are 800,000 migrant workers trapped in town that can't get out to see their families for Spring Festival. They expect another heavy snow tomorrow. We are in daily touch with the orphanage. They know that everyone is thinking of them and determined to get them the help they need."

Naomi's orphanage in Zhuzhou seems to be faring more positively. This is not a suprise to us as it is one of the "model" orphanages in China and structurally is more sound than Chenzhou. The city itself is also larger and closer to the capital city. Here is a report from Zhuzhou:

"We have been in contact with the orphanage. As late as yesterday the Zhuzhou orphanage told me they indeed had power and tap water. Of course this could change at anytime as much of Zhuzhou City is without power and water. Director Zhang reassured me they had stocked up on supplies of diapers, food, formula and blankets before the snow storm. At the moment they are doing well. I asked Director Zhang if she needed our help. She replied the orphanage is unable to receive packages or money now because the post offices and banks are closed. In addition transportation is almost non-existent. Zhang said she can't think out what kind of help the orphanage needed from our families right now. She said when she needed help, she will contact me. She did ask I let everyone know that she greatly appreciated our thoughts and well wishes. "

So, while Naomi's first home seems to be faring well - Lilah's is struggling. In response to this disaster, Half the Sky is setting up the Little Mouse Emergency Fund. Donations to this fund can be channelled to a specific orphanage, and will provide immediate relief to children living in welfare institutions during this difficult time. The needs are diverse and enormous: water, diapers, infant formula, coal, quilts and warm clothing and food. Any excess funds will be used to stock up for future catastrophic needs.

If you can find the funds to help out the children in Lilah's first home - please do. The Half the Sky donations are tax deductible in Canada, and you can make a donation using the following instructions.

1)go to www.halfthesky.org
2) go to the donate now button (not the Little mouse fund)
3) click on donate in a different currency
4) it takes you to a page with a link for Canadians to Canadahelps.org
5) click there and then just specify in the instructions box that you
want it to go to the Little Mouse emerg. fund directed to Chenzhou Social Welfare Institute.

Half the Sky is very reputable and I know that they have all the right checks and balances in place to ensure that the funds you donate go directly to the children.

Please keep these folks in your prayers!