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fredag 27 juni HTS och Little Mouse Emergency FundHär är en samling nyhetsbrev från HTS, angående snöstormen i Kina och deras Little Mouse Emergency Fund.
1 Feb Hello, Welfare institutions in south and central China are having the hardest time dealing with the weather disaster. This part of the country is simply not equipped to deal with extreme cold or heavy snow and ice. The most common critical problems are power outages, lack of safe drinking and cooking water, lack of fuel, diapers and public transportation. In many places where buses have stopped running, our Half the Sky nannies have been walking hours (in one case, 4 hours) along icy roads to get to the children. As conditions worsen, our nannies and teachers are remaining at the institutions day and night. They have given up the idea of going home to their own families for the holidays. They need quilts. They need warm clothing. They need coal, water, disposable diapers and food. /.../ Gathering these reports together makes me think about how careful we have always been at Half the Sky to maintain our focus on nurture and education programs. Ours is not a medical or relief organization. There are many wonderful groups who do that work. Probably the primary reason we've been able to accomplish so much and reach so many children is because we've maintained our focus on our core mission -- providing nurturing care for children who've lost their families.. But a moment like this really cannot be ignored. The tragedy of Hurricane Katrina in the US taught us that no matter how wealthy a country might be, its vulnerable citizens (old, poor, ill, and orphaned children) are the ones who suffer most when disaster strikes. Even as China seems to be entering the first world, a disaster like this is quite simply crippling. We know that orphaned children will be among those who suffer the damage most. I say this because I think we should break one of Half the Sky's rules and, if there are sufficient funds raised in the Little Mouse Emergency Fund, we should offer relief (water, food, diapers, quilts, clothing) to any orphanage where children need help. Let's see how this goes. If people are as generous as I think they might be, we will work with the provincial Bureaus of Civil Affairs in every hard-hit community, and offer assistance to all welfare institutions where there is need. Please lend a hand, however you can. Please forward this message and tell your friends and family. I will be back with an update very, very soon. Thank you! Jenny
2 Februari Dear amazing friends, I don't have words to tell you what your stunning response to the crisis in China means to us all. The donations have been rolling in every few minutes. Unfortunately, urgent phone calls from orphanages in trouble have been rolling in as well. With your help though, we are determined to keep the children safe and well through this mess. Latest reports tell us that this weather is likely to continue for another 10 days. Because local governments are overwhelmed by the situation, it seems that there is, in many places, no relief beyond what we can provide. We have not been able to find news of any international relief organizations working on the ground although the China Red Cross is apparently providing some meals to stranded motorists. As it is impossible to get new supplies of goods to the markets, costs of basic necessities are doubling, even tripling in some cases. We are now working with the Ministry of Civil Affairs (which has the responsibility of dealing with natural disasters nation-wide) to determine which institutions outside the HTS community need our help as well. We will continue funding the costs of basic goods until the money runs out. In answer to some of your questions: We can't ship the necessary diapers, blankets, clothing, food ourselves. There is no transport that can get through right now. We will continue working to find a way. In the meantime, we are wiring funds where banks remain open. Where banks are closed, we are guaranteeing reimbursement to any citizen who funds the purchase of needed goods for the children. In every case, the institutions are calling us to state the needs, we approve, and they know they must provide us receipts for all purchases. I am going to send you another email with news about specific welfare institutions. I wanted to get this brief update out to you first. And I wanted to tell you how deeply, deeply moved the orphanage directors, staff and all of us at Half the Sky are by your concern and your generosity. What an amazing community we have! Thank you, thank you, thank you! Jenny
3 februari 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. /....../ För uppdateringar, se deras hemsida 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
With love, Jenny
4 februari You are phenomenal! I feel so honored to be a part of what has become a worldwide effort to help the children through this terrible time. We have not had a chance to put a number on your commitment to the children but it's already far beyond what I imagined just a few days ago when I told you what we had learned about their plight. You are proving beyond doubt that the world cares about China's orphans. The weather gave us all a bit of respite today. Together with our friends at the Ministry of Civil Affairs, we've been talking to the institutions in the hardest hit areas and have posted a longer list of needs on our website at http://www.halfthesky.org/work/littlemouse.php The list is too long to email now. Many of you have asked, so I've begun also posting anticipated costs for the relief effort at each site, as we begin to get estimates. We have now pretty much surveyed Hunan province. If you don't see a Hunan institution listed, you can assume they are fine. We'll continue talking tomorrow. More information about other affected provinces as well as further details about those already listed will be appearing as we have them. Our amazing HTS staff is working around the clock during what is supposed to be a relaxing New Year holiday with family. I can't express how grateful I am to each of them. and to every one of you, who cares so much. Please check our website for the latest update http://www.halfthesky.org/work/littlemouse.php To contribute to Half the Sky's Little Mouse Emergency Fund to meet these emergency needs and others, click here
Please pass this on to anyone who might care. With love and thanks,
5 februari Dear extraordinary, ever-growing community of friends, There are so many helping - it's just incredible! I've been trying to add you all to this email update but I've fallen way behind. Please continue to spread the word to those you know who care. Midday today it began snowing again in the higher elevations. Still, temperatures are not falling quite so far (but it's mighty cold!)and we're hoping we're not in for another big chill. The institutions we've been able to make contact with are busy stocking up for the holiday and whatever weather comes their way. They are so grateful for the news that people all over the world are trying to help the children. Again and again they send their thanks to you. As the holiday nears, it is getting more and more difficult to reach out to the welfare institutions that need help. We will continue trying through the coming days and updating this list whenever we have news. I am still waiting for news as I write this. Our awesome staff, along with a couple of caring directors of orphanages that are not hurting, have generously offered to continue outreach right through the holidays. Here's the info we have: http://www.halfthesky.org/work/littlemouse.php But now, because we are worried about the still unknown urgent needs and the complications of weather and holidays, we have determined that the time has come to break our own rules. We have decided that, despite difficulties making contact with individual orphanage directors, we must make a commitment to address the most pressing needs of every children's welfare institution in the most affected areas. Therefore, if you wish to specify, you may make a donation to ANY orphanage in these six provinces: Hunan, Jiangxi, Guizhou, Anhui, Hubei and Guangxi. We, with your help, will find a way to assist them all. If you've already given a donation and now wish you'd specified a particular orphanage, please don't worry. What we are saying is that, with the support of this tremendous community, we are making a commitment to provide relief to all orphanages in those six provinces that are struggling through this crisis. We will continue to help orphanages in less-critically affected provinces as the need arises. To contribute to Half the Sky's Little Mouse Emergency Fund to meet these emergency needs and others, click here http://give.halfthesky.org/prostores/servlet/Categories?category=Little+Mouse+Emergency+Fund Please help us pass the news along. I'll send further information at least once each day as long as the situation merits. Thank you for caring for the children! With love and huge, huge thanks, Jenny Bowen
6 februari Dear Friends, Tonight is Chinese New Year's Eve. Families across China who've not had to cancel their holiday plans are cozy together preparing huge feasts to greet the New Year. Although it gets harder and harder to reach anyone, we at HTS have not stopped reaching out to orphanages in central and south China that have suffered through the recent storms. Despite the difficulties -- anyone who possibly can has gone home, all shops and offices are closed, no one answers the phone, the whole country is suddenly quiet -- we had some success today in getting the word out. In all of the six hardest-hit provinces we've managed to begin spreading the word, town by town, that we (and you!) are here to help. We've begun getting calls from directors of some of the small county-level institutions. We expect their numbers to grow over the coming days. The weather remains bitter-cold but no serious snow is forecast now until the beginning of next week. For families in China, that's wonderful news, as relatives make their way from house to house with greetings and treats for the new year. For our little ones in the institutions, it's good news too. Thanks to you and the provisions and heaters and winter clothes you've made possible, most will have a snug and safe holidays. There has thankfully been only one instance so far where we felt the children were in real danger. In Chenzhou, Hunan, the subject of many recent news stories, the institution has been without power or running water for two weeks. In fact, a giant power grid was destroyed by heavy snows and the whole city has been dark for days. Yesterday in Chenzhou, 11 workers died in an attempt to restore power. We were worried about the children at the Chenzhou SWI - over 150 infants, some of whom were falling ill. Food supplies were running out and coal for heat was becoming prohibitively expensive. The SWI director was borrowing funds from caregivers to buy supplies at inflated prices. Even candles tripled in price. To complicate matters, because of the power failure, all banks were closed and the roads were closed. We were feeling pretty helpless. I'm happy to tell you that an intrepid little group, led by my husband, Richard, is now heading home from having successfully stabilized the situation at the Chenzhou SWI. There is now at least a week's worth of food, 2 weeks worth of coal, blankets, diapers (another group managed to drop off diapers and clothes as well and today a local farmer came by with a cart of cabbage) and plenty of money to buy what they need if they run out. Richard tells me that all they lack are 60 infant snowsuits and, as soon as the stores re-open after the holiday, the director knows where to get them. Although it's expected to take 3-6 months for Chenzhou to fully return to normal, we're so relieved that the children are safe and, at least for now, out of danger. I hope to be able to tell you more of the story soon. Meanwhile, we will continue to monitor the situation in Chenzhou daily. We will not stop reaching out to all potentially affected institutions, especially smaller ones, that we haven't heard from yet. We've made a commitment to the hugely over-burdened Civil Affairs offices, that we, as a community, are going to take care of the children through these critical days, with everything we've got to give. You are giving a great gift to the children in this New Year. You are also giving a great gift to me and my colleagues at Half the Sky. It is such a privilege to be empowered to help so many children in need. I feel very lucky right now! Please check our website for the latest update http://www.halfthesky.org/work/littlemouse.php To contribute to Half the Sky's Little Mouse Emergency Fund to meet these emergency needs and others, click here http://give.halfthesky.org/prostores/servlet/Categories?category=Little+Mouse+Emergency+Fund
Please pass this on to anyone who might care. Thank you.be safe. Xin Nian Kuai Le! Jenny Bowen
8 februari Dear friends, I know it is so frustrating not to hear news of a specific orphanage you are concerned about. Please bear with us. It is very difficult to reach people during the holiday. We are on the phone all day and are compiling a list of needs. Our hardworking staff in China has not had time to send those updates during working hours as they are steadily on the telephone. They ask that they be allowed to use the precious days to talk on the telephone and not to type up reports. We will receive news, therefore, late each evening and will publish it as soon as the information becomes available. Please don't think that our silence means that we've stopped reaching out - it only means that we're working nonstop and are not able to report frequently. We are approving relief funds constantly; we're just not able to publish the information immediately. We are committed to reaching everyone who needs help. We are so moved by your generosity and also the compassion of our friends in the Ministry of Civil Affairs and non-affected welfare institutions who are giving up their holiday to try to contact those who need help. Thanks for your patience and your much-needed assistance!
11 februari Hello on Day 5 of the Lunar New Year, Good fortune continues to shine on storm-weary central and southern China through this New Year holiday. It's still mighty cold outside but there is no snow in the forecast and temperatures are easing a little. We are very hopeful that the danger to our children has passed. We have not stopped working, though. We continue to reach out to welfare institutions of all sizes in all of the hardest-hit provinces. Between the CNY holiday and the need for, at times, multiple phone calls to truly assess the situation in each place, it's been tough to get updates that are accurate enough to publish on our website. By the end of this week, we are hoping to get a definitive needs list for each of the provinces, though we'll continue to work to make sure that no one's being left out. Meanwhile, I want you to know that we are approving new fund transfers daily; no one is being asked to wait for relief. For those who would like a closer look at what's been happening in China, we've just placed the story of HTS' journey to Chenzhou on our website. Even though we're not physically present in the dozens of other places you are enabling us to assist, please know that you, through the Little Mouse Emergency Fund, are helping ensure that all of the stories, like this one in Chenzhou, will have a happy ending: http://www.halfthesky.org/work/chenzhoustory1.php By Friday we should also be able to report the extent of the damage in terms of cost. And we should know exactly how much this extraordinary community has contributed for relief. We are requesting a meeting with the Ministry of Civil Affairs to discuss how we can best use surplus funds, if there are any, to help all children's welfare institutions prepare for future disasters. You can be certain I'll keep you informed. Meanwhile you are simply astounding. You have spread our call for help on the web and via emails and phone calls. You have appealed to schools, FCC groups, churches, companies and family. Thanks to you, China's orphaned children are receiving not only the help they desperately need, but also a whole new world of friends.people who care what happens to them. What a tremendous gift! Thank you, wherever you are in the world, for the beautiful thing you have done for the children. And, on behalf of Half the Sky, thank you for trusting us to help. We truly are honored and touched beyond words. With love and thanks, Jenny Bowen
15 Februari 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/servlet/Categories?category=Little+Mouse+Emergency+Fund
Jenny Bowen
24 Februari On behalf of many, many thousands of children who remained safe and warm through China's toughest winter storms in 50 years, THANK YOU! The weather has warmed considerably. On Wednesday, all power was finally restored. Director Liu of the Yihuang County SWI in Jiangxi province called us on Friday. He said that Yihuang was the last place in China to have light again. Thanks to you, the orphanage was able to buy a generator which produced just enough power to light the children's building. Although one of their buildings was severely damaged by snow and the staff had to fetch well water from the countryside for many days, no one was hurt and all 63 children stayed well. The director called to make sure we all knew how grateful he is for aid from the Little Mouse Emergency Fund. Our staff in Beijing has had conversations like this one all week long as we made arrangements to wire reimbursement for locally purchased goods to 98 different welfare institutions. Today we are pleased to announce the end of this extraordinary relief effort. From all over the world, this community has raised almost 5 Million Yuan RMB (US$700,000) to protect the children! Approximately 3 Million is going directly to those institutions which suffered through this disaster. The remaining funds will be used to help all children's welfare institutions establish a store of emergency provisions so that this never happens again. 100% of the funds donated to the Little Mouse Emergency Fund are dedicated to this purpose. On Wednesday we will meet with Vice-Minister of Civil Affairs, Dou YouPei to make a ceremonial presentation of the proceeds of the Little Mouse Emergency Fund to China's orphaned children, and to discuss a plan for disaster preparation in the welfare institutions. The Ministry of Civil Affairs understands that this is a gift to the children from people of many nations and they look forward to the opportunity to express their gratitude. It has been a tremendous pleasure and an honor to be a part of this effort. I understand what "people power" means in a whole new way. When people really care, nothing can stop them from doing what needs to be done. As of today, the Fund is closed. If there are donations on the way, we will include them in the fund. But if you are considering a gift today, please, instead, support the Half the Sky programs that give children the loving care of family every single day. Even when the weather is calm. With love and gratitude, Jenny Jenny Bowen 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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