Fang Zhou (Ark) Public Mutual Assistance Center

The Organization Trends of April in 2012

1. Successfully purchasing the organization website domain and space.

2. Fulfillment of organization orientation.

3. Communication with youth association, society power and love heart association and fixed the position of cooperation in the future.

4. Reached a preliminary cooperation intention on the Ark charities brand image design with Square Skull and released the first logo of Ark charities.

5. Participation in visit Ren Yong Primary School and assistance in implement of eggs plan

6. Joined Transparent Fish non-profit web community and became a friend of Transparent Fish

Original Article written by Fang Xiao Gang, translated by ShiShi Ma, and edited by US intern Kevin Mo.

To continue the promotion of "grassroots charity":

There are some details about Grass-roots Charity promoted by The Third Guangzhou Chinese universities Environment Development Forum.

I took 5 books to Guangzhou and sent them to friends: Wufang Xiaowei, the former secretary-general of Earth Friends (Hong Kong), Chen Zhiqiang of Earth Friends (China), Xiao Zhiqiang of Shanghai entrepreneur training group, Li Zhou of GGF Chinese youth group and Li Chunhua of Nanjing Green Stone. We also discussed about grass-roots charity and recommended it. It was popular. Before long when talking with Wu Fengshi, we mentioned that there were many similarities between grass-roots charity mode and GFF mode. GFF itself may be another kind of existence of grass-roots charity.

In Chongqing office I sent 2 books to sponsors of Shanghai Huangpu District Non-profit Charity Association. In addition, I sent a book to each Chongqing environmental organization in the environment communication meeting. I hope we can hold a reading meeting in the future to share our opinions about the book.

Original article written by Jianhua Su, translated by Shishi Ma, and edited by US intern Isabel Auyeung.

Today 7 volunteers joined the activity and one was absent. I really hoped no volunteers who applied for activities would be absent like in this case. Please ask the leaders of activities for leave by phone 3 hours ahead of the schedule unless there is an emergency.

Each of us could complete the task in time per activity. My main task was to guide people to get in and out through water-gate. I looked around in the middle of the gate. I thought it was the best way to cure cervical spondylosis.

Today there was a funny story. A young mother swept her card and then her son ran out of the water-gate at once. She was locked inside before she realized what had happened. And then she didn’t know how to come out and had to ask me for help. I guided her out of the water-gate from special way.
 
There was a large family coming out of the water-gate. Unfortunately a child was hit by the water-gate. The child’s grandpa was angry and beat it. I came to him and stopped him. He asked me how to deal with the matter because his grandson was hurt by the water-gate. I told him there was nothing wrong with the child and all of them have responsibility to look after the child. They said nothing and went away. In the activities though there were many visitors with different characters, and as volunteers, what we try to do is to provide them with good service.

Original article written by Bin Wang, translated by Ma Shishi, and edited by US intern Isabel Auyeung.

Ms. Zhou focuses on mental and psychological counseling for woman in rural areas. In this article, Ms. Zhou tells us about her future travel plans to counsel people in many provinces. Her schedule is packed for the rest of the year. 

I have fought against mosquitoes for the third time and could hardly sleep last night. I woke up this morning feeling extremely uncomfortable. I picked up the phone from Yang Yi and then chatted with Wang Jun through QQ. I felt pleased and full of energy when we ended our conversation at around 12:30 pm.

It was funds and the trust of Mr. and Mrs. Zhao and patient of staff that have encouraged me. Both Wang Jun and I said, “It is great to do something meaningful.”

We planned the time to Sichuan 2 months ago. But something unexpected happened before I left. My sister and sister-in-law bot had an operation at the same day. My sister lived alone outside but no one looked after her.

The entire burden was on my husband’s shoulder once I left. But there were 200 women waiting for me.

Anyway, I came to Sichuan according my schedule, but seeing the need and sincerity on their faces, all the complaining had disappeared. They desired for knowledge and changes. I planned activities on Children’s Day. If the activities turn out to be successful, then they could be promoted to any non-profit organizations all over the country.

With the support of Mr. Zhao, I did my work without any worries. Non-profit organizations, communities, and corporations praised my experience and plans. My work schedule has been arranged until the end of the year.

Finishing the activities, I was going to practice my plans in Henan Province. I think these activities could be helpful in many ways—such as children education, couple relationship, interpersonal relationship, mental health, and childbearing.

What I wish to say the most to Mr and Mrs. Zhao was, "Thanks for your trust."

In fact, we just met for the first time and had built a trusting relationship that makes everything so much more possible. To the end of the year, I will travel to the north-west district and several inland cities. I hope our work will satisfy Mr. Zhao and our team.

In addition that, thank my husband for his great support.

Original article written by Ms. Zhou, translated by ShiShi Ma, and edited by US intern Kevin Mo.

Little Red Scarf CARE serves to provide financial means and encouragement to children suffering from congenital heart disease. In addition, they provide the family with post-operative care and help their child sustain a healthy lifestyle. To learn more about Little Red Scarf CARE, click here.

On May 10，a wide range of hail, rainstorm and debris flow occurred in Minxian, Gansu Province. The natural disaster raided 12 towns of Minxian. Little Red Scarf was concerned for those congenital heart disease children who had been assisted, but we couldn’t get in contact with them and their parents until today because there was something wrong with internet signal. Since 2010, we have subsidized 11 congenital heart disease children. Unfortunately so far there have been 3 children who we couldn’t get in touch with because our phone calls would not go through.

Those children are 16-Xiaoxiao, 87 – Ping’er, LY-37 Xiaozha, LY-83 Yaru, LY-95 Zhuanyun, LY-99 Jiakang, LY-118 Dongli, LY-131 Alian, 264 – Yanyan, LY-181Xiao Pei, and 304 Junjun. So far we haven’t been able to get in touch with Xiaoxiao, Ping’er, Dongli and Junjun. We really hope they and their families are doing well.

Here is the information about them after the disaster.

LY-37 Xiaozha: The heavy rainstorm damaged their old houses and they had to move to their relatives’ house and live there. Fortunately none of their family was hurt. In addition, their farmlands were seriously damaged and their harvest would suffer. Still, thanks for caring about them.

LY-83 Yaru: There was nothing serious with their houses and farmlands. They appreciated Little Red Scarf. They were very happy.

LY-95 Zhuanyun: The rain water had flooded their home and now it was under restoration. Their crops would come to naught because the disaster completely damaged their farmlands. It was luck that no one was hurt in the disaster. Her parents were busy restoring their home. Thanks for caring. There was no damage in school.

LY-99 Jiakang : Their farmlands were flooded and the hail like eggs damaged their houses and walls. His father was exciting about the greeting from Little Red Scarf. They felt satisfactory that no one was hurt in the disaster.

LY-131 Alian: Her parents returned from Mongolia and the whole family is alright. But their farmlands were ruined and they wouldn’t have any harvest. Their parents would accompany their family for some time and then they would go out for work. Children got well. They hoped Little Red Scarf could help more children.

264 – Yanyan: Everything was alright except their crops. Thanks to Little Red Scarf for the greeting.

LY-181Xiao Pe: Since their village is remote, the disaster had little effect on their village. Sometimes it seems that it is fortunate to live far away.

Original article written by Yun YuJie, translated by Ma Shishi, and edited by US intern Isabel Auyeung.

The following article is about a visit to an elderly’s home in Nanking. The volunteers were organized under the leadership of Light of Love, an organization dedicated to rural health and education. For more information, please click here.
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Volunteers of the Light of Love program came to Yu Hua Tai District office to have the first session of training. The training began with ice breakers, through which everyone got to know each other. Then Dai Xianwei, the leader of Light of Love, explained the program.

26 students from different universities in Nanjing came to the activity center one after another at 1:30 pm. During the activities, volunteers were divided into 4 groups. They quickly became familiar with members of their group in 10 minutes. And then the representative of each group introduced members of his or her group. Everyone listened intently and took some notes. Though mistakes were made, the ensuing laughters eased any sense of embarrassment. The prop of the second game was a black plastic bag, used to cover participants’ eyes. The goal is to find one’s partner while blindfolded. Interestingly, the girls in the group proved much better at this game than the boys.

There are lots of encouraging stories, each of us may become the hero of a story. Perhaps we all start projects with unrelenting passion and dedication, but it is often a challenge to keep up such devotion for months and even years? Once the excitement is gone, do we give up?  We really hope all of us could persist and become successful pioneers in the field of public service.

At 2 pm, three volunteers from Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics and Nanjing University came to Endocrinology and Metabolism District of Jiangsu Province Integrative Medicine Hospital, accompanied by Dai Xianwei, the leader of Lighte of Love Non-profit Development Center. They carried out a few activities from their program. The hospital offered volunteers a platform to contact with the elderly.

The program aims to help young people and the elderly grow together. It builds friendship between young people and empty nesters by taking care of empty nesters and accompanying them long term.

There are 5 stages in the program.
1. Learn to chat with the elderly and put forward your topics freely   
2. Find partners for the elderly and know their hobbies
3. Help partners of the aged trust in each other and invite them to join activities   
4. Accompany empty nesters in their houses and set up long-term accompanying plan   
5. Keep in touch with these empty nesters

They have set up personal growth files for each volunteer. It shows the growing process of each volunteer. They also made program progress forms which help us know which stage volunteers are in.

With the help of Dai Xianwei, the three volunteers knew the hospital quickly. And then they began to carry out their tasks.

Original article written by Dai WeiXian, translated by ShiShi Ma, and edited by EV intern Sarah Chang.

 Ms. Zhou focuses on mental and psychological counseling for woman in rural areas. She tells us about her conversation with a visitor from Hong Kong that is suffering from a recent, tragic event. To learn more, click here.
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Below is a conversation I had with a Hong Kong visitor.

Visitor: You are the most passionate psychotherapist I have seen, thanks all the friends who introduced you to me.

Me: Thanks for your trust. What would you like to talk about?

Visitor: I think I’m going to collapse.

M: Why?

Visitor: I must divorce my wife, otherwise I won’t wish to live any more.  

M: Could you tell me what happened?

Visitor: My 14-year-old girl committed suicide several days ago, and I think it was the pressure my wife put on her that led to her death. 

M: I’m so sorry to hear that.

Visitor: *sobbing*

M: Is your wife your daughter’s biological mother?

Visitor: Yes.

M: Does she have any grudges against your daughter?

Visitor: No, but she was always pushing her?

M: Do you think that your wife is the only one to push your child? What about other people in Hong Kong?

Visitor: No.

M: Why was it that only your daughter chose to end her life? Is it all due to your wife’s failure in education and communication with your daughter?

Visitor: I never thought about it.

M: Is it only the mother's responsibility to educate the children?

Visitor: My wife has a bad temper and doesn't care much about my daughter. She doesn’t know how to teach children.

M: Well, if you know how to teach children and you have a good temper, then why did your daughter choose to leave you?

Visitor: Because I’m always so busy with my work.

M: Does your wife feel happy after your daughter passed away?

Visitor: … She has been in hospital for a long time.

M: In that case, why are you going to divorce your wife to hurt her more?

Visitor: ……

Visitor: Thank you, Ms. Zhou. I will go to see my wife.

Original Article written by Ms. Zhou, translated by ShiShi Ma, edited by US intern Kevin Mo.

Thank you for your positive participation in Transparent Fish. In May, another 2 organizations have promoted to be partners of Transparent Fish. They are Angel House Rehabilitation Education and Activity Center and Hanzhong City Hope Community Volunteers Association.

At the same time they can obtain 3,000 RMB Transparent Fish fund. Welcome our new partners to participate in public welfare course.

In addition, another 5 organizations may apply to be partner of Transparent Fish. If the budget passes the audit, they can obtain 3,000 RMB which is used for programs or administration, please act now!

Original article written by Nancy Nguyen, translated by Ma Shishi, and edited by US intern Isabel Auyeung.

Little Red Scarf CARE serves to provide financial means and encouragement to children suffering from congenital heart disease. In addition, they provide the family with post-operative care and help their child sustain a healthy lifestyle. To learn more about Little Red Scarf CARE, click here.
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It was magic. A child and his or her family were changed just because of a operation. Nearly 1,000 families have been changed so far. Laughter returns to their family. The big smiles on faces of those saved children are like blooming flowers.

LY-215 Dao Jicao
Preoperative symptoms: her legs were too weak to walk independently. With the help of her family, she could walk for a while. She disliked strangers. She always cried for she didn’t feel comfortable. Her lips and face were purple and she hardly went out. Even so she still often had colds. She was 8 and dared not to go to school. She usually lay in bed and didn’t speak Chinese.
Postoperative symptoms: Her face has turned red and purple disappeared. She likes playing and walking around. There are smiles on her face when seeing people. She can speak a little Chinese. Her mother is very excited to see her change.

LY-216 Bo Yu
Preoperative symptoms: His entire body was purple, his face was most obvious. His clubbing fingers looked transparent. His palms were purple too. He felt shortness of breath when he walked and he could not run.
Postoperative symptoms: He has turned red and completely changed. The color of his fingers has changed. He has become better and better. His best wish is to go to school with a school bag.

Original article written by Yun YuJie, translated by Shishi Ma, and edited by US intern Isabel Auyeung

The day before yesterday, Wu Jing and Zhang Sumei communicated with Xiang Xin, one of the founders of Qing Cao Public Welfare Team. The first time Xiang Xin met Wu Jing was at a peer training held in Guangzhou in July 7, 2010. With the support of teachers and family, she and her classmate founded Qing Cao Summer Camp, a program about education of peasant workers’ children. At that time, Xiang Xin was a high school student and now she is a student at Harvard. She is temporarily absent from school and is continuing to carry out the Qing Cao program. They will hold 10-day summer camp in Kangle and Qiming High School. There are a lot of classes and activities to promote their personality, such as English, drama, art, and creative writing. All are free to join the summer camp. Volunteers will get some traffic allowance.

This is a good program that aims to improve by learning from each other. All the activities are designed by high school volunteers. In addition, there will be a “teacher-friend plan” to help them build long-term relationships.Original

Original article written by Jianhua Su, translated by Ma Shishi, and edited by US intern Isabel Auyeung.