China's Storm

I received this email today from Jenny Bowen, Exec. Director of Half the Sky Foundation. I am on their mailing list. The winter storm situation in China is very, very sad. Please, if you are able and are inclined, visit the web site below to give any amount of money you can to help China's orphanages. Half the Sky Foundation has a good reputation and has helped many of China's orphanages. Please read the email below.


Dear, dear friends –

Your response in answer to our appeal for the Little Mouse Emergency Fund
is astounding. Everyone that we have spoken with today in China who is
dealing with this crisis has asked us to pass on deepest thanks for your
concern and love for the children.

And we at Half the Sky are simply overwhelmed by your generosity. I’ve
spent much of today in tears just thinking about how much love there is
out there for these children who so often seem forgotten. Clearly, you
have remembered them!

We expect to have a break in the weather tomorrow and then more storms
moving in on Tuesday. We hope to use the brief window to get some direct
relief to the orphanages that need it most desperately, especially in
towns without power where no funds can be wire-transferred.

We will be receiving a list of orphanages with urgent needs by noon
tomorrow (Monday here in China.) There are 20 in Hunan Province alone.
We have made arrangements to wire funds directly wherever possible and
promised anyone who’s using their personal funds right now to care for the
children that they will be reimbursed promptly. All institutions
receiving funds will provide us with receipts and photographs of items
purchased.

Here are a few updates. This list will grow substantially tomorrow. You
can check our website at http://www.halfthesky.org/work/littlemouse.php
for the very latest news and full details.

Changzhou, Jiangsu – UPDATE: The orphanage now reports they are running
out of diapers and need 750 diapers per day for an estimated 10 days.

Chengdu, Sichuan – UPDATE: Chengdu repeats their request for a large
heater and disposable diapers. They also request 80 warm quilts.

Chenzhou, Hunan – 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.
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.

Chongqing – UPDATE: Temperatures continue to drop - request warm blankets
and floor mats.

Chuzhou, Anhui - UPDATE: Reports that their industrial clothes dryer
broke down two days ago. They've tried to repair but it is still not
working and they have no way to dry clothes and diapers in the cold. They
ask for purchase of a new dryer and for disposable diapers.

Guiyang, Guizhou – UPDATE: Power is intermittant. They repeat the request
for diapers and now understand that HTS has okayed the purchase.

Hangzhou, Zhejiang - Because of snow, they've been unable to get
vegetables for several days. They request a subsidy to purchase food at
higher prices and also ask for disposable diapers.

Hefei, Anhui – UPDATE: The orphanage now realizes they will soon run out
of disposable diapers. They ask for funds to purchase 7500 diapers.

Nanchang, Jiangxi – UPDATE: Their boiler for hot water supply has broken
down. They ask for funds to purchase a new one.

Qingyuan, Guangdong – UPDATE: With HTS funds, they have purchased 110 sets
of quilts and padded jackets but have been unable to find heaters anywhere
in Qingyuan. They are going to try to send someone south to Guangzhou to
find heaters.

Shaodian, Henan - HTS supports a Family Village here for children orphaned
by AIDS. Due to the heavy snow and bitter cold, the children suffer from
chilblains on their hands and feet. Water pipes have frozen and they are
now able to get water only a few hours a day. Food costs are rising. Power
supply is intermittant. They request heaters and cream for chilblains as
well as a subsidy for food.

Xinyang, Henan – UPDATE: It seems first information on Xinyang did not
come from director of institution. Today's news is not so favorable. It
has been snowing since January 10 and temperatures are the lowest in
history. Some heaters are broken. The institution has gathered all of the
children together in the largest HTS activity room to kep them warm. Due
to the weight of ice, the roof has cracked and there are leaks into some
of the HTS acivity rooms as well as the nurseries. They are installing a
"temporary" toilet on the same floor as the big activity room so children
and caregivers don't slip on the icy corridors and stairs. They ask for
disposable diapers, winter clothes, cream for chilblains for the
children's hands and feet. HTS staff continues to walk to work through the
snow and ice; there is no public transportation.

Yangchun, Guangdong - reports a need for space heaters and hot water
bottles for 88 babies at two sites.

Please consider passing this message on to anyone you think might want to
help.

To contribute to Half the Sky’s Little Mouse Emergency Fund please visit
http://give.halfthesky.org/prostores/servlet/Categories?category=Little+Mouse+Emergency+Fund


On behalf of the many, many children whose lives you will touch, and
possibly save, during this difficult time – THANK YOU!

With love,

Jenny

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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