_The following is an update from Little Red Scarf, detailing the unfortunate, but hopeful, case of a little girl named Wu Xia who suffers from congenital heart disease. Please read on - you will be moved by her story.
-- Wu Xia has a slender body, wrapped in thick cotton-filled jacket, and wears an old pair shoes made with cloth. She is standing before me quietly, in a well-behaved manner. The red scarf she wears on her head catches my attention. This brand new red scarf seems to be steaming with heat from the quick walk she had coming over here. It was very early when she left home this morning - as a result, her face was red from the cold, and her skin had become quite rough... __Children of Promise: Little Sapling is a non-government organization that serves in the rehabilitation of children with disabilities. They see the these children as young seedlings that, although requiring extra good care, can grow into trees of wisdom. The following is a brief story of how one of Little Sapling's workers got involved in the organization. -- In the Fujian Province, Hunag Sheng Xing works at the CP Little Sapling's Family Support Center, where he teaches autistic children. Years ago, an accident occurred in which Huang Sheng Xing became paralyzed from the waist down, forcing him to rely on family members to take care of his every need. He even considered committing suicide. Last year, his parents brought him to a center where other disabled children resided. Through interacting with others in his situation and receiving treatment, today, he not only can take care of himself, but also encourage other handicapped people to "stand up." Experts point out that creating such community of disabled people allows them to find self-worth and care for each other so that they no longer feel alone or hopeless. --
This update was edited and posted by U.S. Intern Kevin Mo. Seanan Fong, LRS former intern, wrote an article in the Stanford Journal of Public health on the works of Little Red Scarf and the need for CHD treatment in rural Gansu. _The Shalom Leprosy Compassion Ministry is run by a group of volunteers that has been providing support to a leprosy rehab village in Yunnan since 2000. Through provision of medical, living and psychological assistance, the Compassion Ministry hopes to serve leprosy-inflicted patients who have been marginalized and forced into isolation due to their illness. The following is an update from a recent trip to a Leprosy Community in Luquan.
-- On November 12, a group of like-minded friends travelled from Kunming to Luquan Leprosy Rehabilitation Village under the leadership of Miss Liang Ping. We were moved to find a village that supplied rice, sesame oil, towel socks, drugs, and old clothing. I hoped that the people who were ill would enjoy our love. At noon, the rehabilitation village was divided into a medical and life group. Miss Liang Ping led the medical team for rehabilitation, and gave patients check ups and treatment according to their ailments. Miss Liu led the life group and distributed the prepared love items. Dr. Li cooked at home and prepared dinner for all the patients and volunteers. At 5:30pm we gathered at the table and were blessed by the dinner. Everyone in the village greeted one another and partook in the hearty dinner that God had provided. While eating, we sat next to a bonfire and enjoyed a carefully prepared program of volunteers singing and dancing. Although there was an improvised play that was slightly dull, the program was rich in love and received much applause. We stayed in the rehabilitation village until evening time when the bonfire had to be extinguished. The residents of the village finally bid farewell, but we all knew that we were parting ways with an inextinguishable flame of love in our hearts. Because of compassion, our lives will continue to improve, and these patients will be able to experience joy in spite of their debilitating medical conditions. _Mianzhu Family, an NGO led by a group of volunteers with a heart for serving the elderly, organized an event to serve the lonely and elderly people around their city on Chinese New Year. The following is their plan for the event. To learn more about Mianzhu Family and its projects, please go here for Chinese, or here for English.
-- Background Information: The Spring Festival (aka Chinese New Year) is one of China’s most important holidays. It is tradition for people to have family gatherings, watch the Spring Festival Gala, eat, drink, and enjoy each other’s company. But the elderly and widowed that live alone are not able to carry out this joyful occasion. Mianzhu Family’s volunteers will solve this problem! We will act as their family and keep them company. We have planned a bountiful dinner on Chinese New Year Eve, and together, we will celebrate the arrival of the Year of the Dragon. Objective: Invite 100 widowed/elderly individuals to the New Year’s Eve dinner. Time: January 22nd, 2012 Location: A nursing home or a rented location Guests: 100 widowed/elderly people 20 accompanying persons and department head of nursing home 40 volunteers 5 media reporters 5 health care securities _The following is a month update from Little Red Scarf, an organization that helps underprivileged children with congenital heart disease obtain medical care. To learn more about them, please click here. The articles below are written by different staffers about the stories of patients whom they are supporting. -- December Angel: LY-144 Xiao Gong Background on Angel: Female, 1 year old, VSD+PDA+PH+Bi-Tricuspid Regurgitation First came into contact with LRS on Dec. 12, 2011 "A World Filled with Love" by Ai Ju, Office Assistant at the LRS Lanzhou Office Who would have thought that the adorable thirteen-month-old Xiao Gong, exuding with innocence through her beautiful sparkling eyes, is a patient suffering from congenital heart disease? In a family of six, her 58-year-old grandfather rests at home, as chronic pains in his hips and legs prevent him from working. Gong’s father is away, serving as an apprentice and learning to make stainless steel. He works 10 months a year, making a total of 5000 rmb. Gong’s mother stays home to take care of the elderly and the children. She plants apples and peaches, which provide her with about 5000 rmb after harvest. There is no other source of income for the family. Xiao Gong’s condition was much more dangerous than that of many other children; waiting was no longer an option. As early as six months ago, the doctor had predicted that Gong’s life was at risk. However, the little savings the family skimped to save were far from enough; being able to pay the medical costs was unthinkable. In May, when Little Red Scarf went to the countryside for promotions, it hosted a free clinic in the elementary school near Xiao Gong’s home. Unfortunately, Xiao Gong was infected with a cold-induced pneumonia and receiving treatments in the hospital. LRS did not get to meet her. It seemed that Little Red Scarf was going to miss Xiao Gong by a narrow chance. Luckily, under the auspices of a government official, the news that Little Red Scarf helped underprivileged children suffering from congenital heart disease spread to Xiao Gong’s home. This information undoubtedly restored hope to Xiao Gong’s life, as the whole family was filled with joy. In June, Xiao Gong’s mother got in touch with LRS staff and applied for funding. Our lives will always be affected by unexpected events like diseases and suffering, but so long as we confront it together, such calamities will appear insignificant in the face of love. Best wishes to Xiao Gong! We all hope that she gets well soon! _D-Starine (海豚星空号) is an NGO that is currently running the Working Dogs Program, which purchases pedigreed shepherding dogs to send to Tibetan herdsmen to increase pasturing efficiency as part of the NGO’s overall goals of disaster relief and community reconstruction. The following is a set of journal entries from the leader of D-Starine, Chris Yuan Yi, written during his most recent trip to deliver shepherding dogs to families in need. Learn more about D-Starine.
-- Here are some journal entries from our recent four-day expedition. The D-Starine logo always attracts people's attention, whether on the subway or the plane. The logo was originally intended just to represent unity and discipline, so I did not expect the logo to also play a role in advocacy... January 12 – On a night flight from Shanghai to Chengdu, two flight attendants started a friendly conversation with me. Others who start talking with our team members usually start by asking, "What does the dolphin symbol mean?" Answering their questions, I shared about the children in Sichuan and the Yushu dog. The flight attendants replied that at their home in Chengdu, it is hard to find people who want to participate in public service activities. We looked through a lot of photos on my computer, chatted some more, and even took a photo together in the plane. Before, I didn't have a very good impression of China Eastern Airlines, but this changed my views completely. Air stewardesses also have to work hard! I hope we can have an expedition together one day. I was pleased to share the story of D-Starine with them; it seems that people from all walks of life can understand and appreciate our story. We have to work harder and create a better platform to deliver our services. |
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