Extra Funds Meant Finding the Greatest Need - 2 Orphanages in Inner Mongolia Now Receiving Aid

Dear friends of Children's Hope:

We have received two letters on Monday, February 18, from QiandongNan and Tong Ren orphanages expressing gratitude for the donations we sent to them on February 4. All the orphanages we have helped are getting back to normal after the snow storm, the worst disaster in 80 years of China's history. Currently there is only one area which was hit by the new snowstorm on February 18 in Yunnan.

Children's Hope received over $30,000 in relief funds from families and friends in US and in China. We have an extra $10,000 to distribute still.

As we checked in with each orphanage we have worked with during the storm, we see most of them are now doing well. Many have received government relief or other forms of relief from charity groups in addition to Children's Hope. It seemed we needed to look elsewhere for orphanages in greater need, so we looked.

We found two orphanages in inner Mongolia which are in critical need due to the extreme cold weather. The average temperature there is minus 40 degrees Celsius until May. They get hit by snowstorms almost every year, and no one seemed to notice them this time. Their heating equipment is broken due to the heavy snow and they need help to quickly to repair them.

These two orphanages are: Xilinguolemeng Welfare Home and Hulunbeier Meng Welfare Home. So far, we have received detailed information from only the first home. Director Bao told us they have 30 children living in the home and 100 living in foster homes. The water heater at their home has broken and they are unable to give the children baths now.

The total need for a new water heater is $40,000.

We will be sending our $10,000 to Xilinguolemeng; Children's Hope own staff will be visiting and checking on the children soon.

Thank you for your response to the needs of Chinese orphans!

Melody

As China Goes Back to Work, Our Orphanages Struggle to Return to Normal with Roof Damage and Sky High Prices

Pictured below: Orphans at the Qiandongnan Orphanage model their new coats purchased with Children's Hope donor funds. In the unprecedented cold, these coats bring comfort and warmth as the children wait for the remainder of their ordered heaters to arrive.

February 12 was the official end of the holiday in China. Today is the first work day after the Chinese New Year. There were 5 million people traveling by train in China on February 12 and 13. Since Monday, 2.5 million soldiers were sent by the government to aid with disaster relief in the South. The soldiers helped to feed the people stuck on the Jingzhu Highway with portable military stoves.

We made contacts with different orphanages today and here is the update:

Most of the areas hit by the snow storm are getting warmer. Most areas have power and water supply except some areas in Guizhou and Hunan. All highways are open now. There will be another cold air system circulating in east and south China. The current struggle and need in all of the orphanages is attempting to get back to normal, as high prices for daily items continue after the storm. The neediest area remains Guizhou, Hunan. The most needed items are: disposable diapers and dual air conditioner/heating units.

Pictured below: Photo of current conditions, courtesy of CBN.

From orphanages:
Guiyang:
The snow is melting, it’s warmer during the day, but at night, it’s very cold. There is power, but water supply is not normal. Due to bursting pipes during the cold weather, a lot of repair work is needed for the water supply. The price for daily items has skyrocketed. For example, 50kg of coal was 45 yuan before; now, it is 100 yuan. Even still, it’s hard to obtain. The government has set the price for most of the daily items, like rice, cooking oil, etc. The $2,500 Children’s Hope sent to Guiyang was dispersed to foster families for food, quilts, etc.

Jiujiang:
Things are getting better; water and power supply are available. Life has almost returned to normal for the children and the workers in the welfare home.

ChiBi:
Water and power supply are back. They are in need of $7,000 to repair the roof and the building due to snow/ice damage. ($3,000 was sent previously for other needs.)

TongRen:
Things are getting much better; water and power supply are back to normal. The funds from Children’s Hope were received and used to purchase diapers and charcoal.

XinYang:
They have used the money Children’s Hope sent for diapers. Now they have four dual air conditioner/heating units needed for replacement. Their total need is $2,000.

Hefei:
Things are much better; life is normal. Snow melted.

Pictured below: Receiving boxes like these spells relief as orphanages receive their ordered dual heaters/air conditioners. For these areas, the cold temperatures they are seeing are highly unusual... In this time of cold, their presence is extremely important. In the very hot seasons, they will be just as prized.

Qiandongnan, minority area in Guizhou:
They purchased winter coats and three dual air conditioner/heating units. One heater arrived and they are waiting for the other two to come.

Children’s Hope dispersed $20,000 in funds from our donors. From all the orphanages and their staff – Thank you!

Melody

The Red Thread in a Storm of White Snow

The situation in most of the areas is getting better. Chen Zhou, the place hit most by the snow, is now with electricity in some places, like McDonald's, etc. Most of the surrounding rural areas are still dark in the evenings. However, the government's statement noted that certain regions in the south will continue to undergo icy weather, caused by rain and snow; severe disasters will continue. The relief work remains a tough task for the country.

The worst winter disaster in five decades has hit 19 out of 31 provinces, municipalities and autonomous regions in the Chinese mainland. By Friday, more than 60 people were killed in the winter storms and nearly 1.76 million have relocated in the past two weeks.

CBN's crew saw many little children in Chenzhou Welfare Home and they took pictures of them. My friend Kara from CBN said she could have her staff take pictures for the adoptive families who are adopting these children. I made a suggestion that her staff take a group picture and write down each child's name.

If they do that tomorrow, families who are assigned Chenzhou children will be able to see a picture of them. I thanked Kara for thinking of the adoptive families. One can only image how hard it must has been for all the families who have been assigned a child from the areas that were hit by the snow storm. Most of the children are fine, I know, even in orphanages like Chenzhou.

Adoption truly is like a red thread, being held one side here and one side across the world.

~Melody

There It Is! Warm Clothes Luggage Travels to Orphanage in Need

The black luggage pictured right is the piece I took to CBN last night. There are 130 leg warmers and 12 sweaters in it. It's been carried by the CBN crew to Chenzhou this morning on Feb 7th. They left in the morning for Changsha but were routed to Guilin and then they took the train to Changsha this afternoon. It was fun to see this on the CBN web blog!

~Melody

Happy New Year!

1.5 billion people in the whole country celebrated Chinese New Year's Eve last night with one hour of nonstop fireworks, aired on TV. They even donated radios to the people in disaster areas so they can listen to the show.

Thanks for all the donation pouring in from CHI families and friends. It looks like most of the area is getting better weather and the snow is melting. We here in China are in daily contact with the orphanages.

Happy New Year!

~Melody

Updates from Orphanages in Crisis, Chinese New Year's Eve

We made follow up calls to the orphanages and received updates from the following orphanages today, Chinese New Year's Eve:


Youxian Orphanage in Hunan - Director Zhou: There is still no electricity, and the water supply runs only occasionally. The weather is getting warmer and the snow is beginning to melt. The need remains the same: funds for diapers, food and daily supplies.

Chibi Orphanage in Hubei - Director Xie: Conditions are getting much better. They will need to repair the damaged roof in the future.

Guiyang foster program, Guizhou - Ms. Chen: There is electricity but no water supply in the city. The prices for everything went up so much. There is more bad weather on the way. They need warm clothing and funds to buy daily items.

Tong Ren Orphanage - the director: The weather is getting better. They have both electricity and water now. The government has sent them a lot of clothing and food.

QianDongnan Orphanage, Director Chen: They now have electricity, but their water supply is still limited. The government gave them one small generator for electricity. They have received a call from another NGO offering help as well.

Xinyang Orphanage: The snow melted and they see blue sky now. It’s now 5 degrees during the day (41 degrees Fahrenheit and above freezing!). Their need now is the funds to cover the repair work.

JiuJiang Orphanage: Things are getting better. No new needs.

Hefei Orphanage - Director Sun: They purchased 120 quilts for the older children. No new needs.

Luo Yang Orphanage: No new needs. Donations for diapers and formula is always appreciated.

I will add these updates to my original post, too, so you may easily find the orphanages' original needs and compare. Great thanks to all that have donated!

It seems in most of the orphanages things are getting better. These are great updates! Their needs remain for diapers, formula, winter clothing.

Kara from CBN called me today; her team in Chenzhou found a small orphanage one hour away with a great need. It’s called Suxianling Orphanage. They have 150 children there. They have been living without electricity and water supply for 11 days. CBN is sending another crew to Chenzhou tomorrow morning. I drove to Kara’s place and delivered one duffel bag of warm clothing, including 130 leg warmers and some sweaters, to be taken by their crew to this new orphanage.

Melody

Pictured: CHI's warm clothing to be delivered by CBN to Suxianling Orphanage. CBN photo of conditions in Chenzhou.

An Update on Donations Received, Photos on CBN's Blog (Link)

Children's Hope has received and distributed over $18,000 in donations since February 4 to 9 of the 13 orphanages we are currently working with for the snow relief. We will be updating the needs and donations from our China office and St. Louis office as we receive them.

Children’s Hope is coordinating with CBN and other NGOs in China to aid in the needs of orphans.

Update from Chenzhou Orphanage: Doctor Calls In, Electricity Still Out

A doctor from CBN's relief team visited the Chenzhou Orphanage. She called me after they arrived at Chenzhou to tell me what was going on and ask my advice this afternoon. Several of the children are becoming sick from the cold. This orphanage is still without electricity; the city is dark. Only those families with more money are able to go to hotels with electricity provided by generators.

13 Orphanages in China's Most Affected Regions, Marked in Red (Map)

Below is a map of China's most affected areas, hit most by what is now being considered China's Katrina. The red marks denote the 13 orphanages Children's Hope is aiding by cash donations for emergency needs such as diapers, candles, and air conditioners which will act as heating devices.



A view of China in its entirety, marked with province names for your orientation.

Fog Rolls In, More Orphanages in Need

Beginning on February 4, and continuing today, eight provinces in China previously hit with snow are now experiencing deep fog which is making transportation into the area even more difficult.

Yesterday, we shared 10 orphanages Children's Hope is aiding during this emergency crisis. Today, three more orphanages are added to this list, in urgent need of aid:

11) YouXian Welfare home, Hunan - 20 children (mostly babies)

Current situation: There has been no electricity or water in Youxian since January 28. The orphanage hired a temporary worker at $14/day to fetch water from outside the orphanage. The roads are also closed due to the weather. They need diapers and formula for the children. They also seeking funds for a generator.

Needs: $4000 for diapers, formula and generator ($800)

Donations needed: any amount will help.

12) Chibi Children’s Welfare Home, Hubei - 40 children (15 under 1 year old)

Current situation: They have electricity and water. The roof of the activity room is ruined by the heavy snow; the 40 children have no where to play currently. They are in need of diapers, formula and winter clothes.

Needs: $3000 for diapers, formula, winter clothes, and future roof repair

Donations needed: any amount will help.


13) Luo Yang Orphanage, 500 children

Luo Yang was hit by the snow earlier. Currently they are not affected by the bad weather, however, the orphanage is still experiencing the weather's effects - despite orphanage staff efforts, the cloth diapers are not drying fast enough. They need funds to buy more disposable diapers, as well as detergents, in addition to their daily supplies.

Donations needed: any amount will help.

View all 13 orphanages and their needs at this post's link "Urgent Fundraising in China for Orphanages Afflicted by Continual Snow" and see if you are able to help by donating funds during this state of emergency.

Thank you to those that have donated so far. Our families are great! Donations are coming in stateside and in China, but more help is still needed.

The Latest Update from the City Worst Hit

This is the latest from the city hit most by the snow, Chen Zhou in Hunan:

The Chen Zhou Orphanage is still without water and electricity, but the highways are now open and the snow is beginning to melt. Orphanage employees sent one one-month-old baby to the hospital to be placed in an incubator, powered by an electrical generator.

The government sent the orphanage three tons of rice and three truckloads of cabbage yesterday. They received many used bottles from the hospital and filled them with hot water to keep the babies’ beds warm.

Chen Zhou staff purchased 20 boxes of diapers yesterday. As of yesterday, they are using paper diapers for all of their babies. Aided with flashlights, their staff had to leave the orphanage late tonight, to return in the morning.

Urgent Fundraising in China for Orphanages Afflicted by Continual Snow

Dear Friends,

The Chinese government has announced recent snowstorms a ‘disaster’ for China's southern provinces, which have been afflicted by the storms for the last 20 days. As the Chinese New Year approaches in just two days, the weather in south China is still extremely cold. Temperatures are the coldest seen in 50 years in many areas. Worse - these provinces are not accustomed to the cold winter and their people are enduring the cold with no normal heating equipment.

The areas most affected by the snowstorm are Hunan, Hubei, Guizhou, Anhui, Jianxi, Guangdong, Yunnan, Jiangsu, Sichuan, and Henan.

Children’s Hope has been working with 10 orphanages in these areas for their emergency needs. Children’s Hope - China is collecting donations among our Beijing office staff and fundraising in China for donations to orphanages affected by the snow. We invite and welcome our families to join us in helping the children in these 10 orphanages.

1) QianDongnan Social Welfare Home. Guizhou, 30 children

Current Situation: It’s still snowing; water and electricity are sporadic. Due to the snow, supplies such as coal can not be delivered to the area. The only option for heating is the use of air conditioner units.

Need: winter clothing for children, diapers, 3 air conditioner units for small babies.

Donation Method: $3000 for 3 air conditioner units and diapers.
Donations Needed: $3000

Update 2/6: Director Chen - They now have electricity, but their water supply is still limited. The government gave them one small generator for electricity. They have received a call from an additional NGO offering help as well.

2) Guiyang Social Welfare Home, Guizhou, 200 children

Current Situation: Snow and ice on the road; water and electricity are sometimes available during the day.

Need: winter shoes, clothes, and bedding items. Due to the price increase for food and other items, this orphanage needs funds to cover their daily needs. Children’s Hope runs a foster program with 200 children in Guiyang.

Donation Method: $20 per foster family to cover the extra cost for one month.
Donations Needed: $4000

Update 2/6: Miss Chen - There is electricity but no water supply in the city. The prices for everything went up so much. There is more bad weather on the way. They need warm clothing and funds to buy daily items.

3) Tong Ren Social Welfare Home, Guizhou, 70 children - 50 of whom are under 2 years old

Current Situation: There has been snow and ice for over one month in the area. For the majority of the time, this orphanage has been without water and electricity. The charcoal price doubled from 2RMB per half Kg to 4RMB.

Needs: paper diapers and funds to buy charcoal.

Donating Method: $3000 to Tongren to buy charcoal and diapers.
Donation Needed: $3000

Update 2/6: The director - The weather is getting better. They have both electricity and water now. The government has sent them a lot of clothing and food.

4) JiuJiang Social Welfare Home, Jiangxi province, 113 children

Current situation: It has snowed for over 20 days; very cold.

Need: quilting, heating and air conditioner units; heating for the activity room for children.

Donating Method: $1500 for 2 air conditioner units and extra quilting for children.
Donation Needed: $1500

Update 2/6: Things are getting better. No new needs.

5) Xinyang Children’s Welfare Home, Henan

Current Situation: It has been snowing since January 10. There is electricity and water now in the city. The orphanage's washing machine has been broken during this time. Due to the weather, the laundry does not dry for a long time. Some of the rooms have suffered from water damage due to the snow.

Need: winter clothing, diapers, and funds to purchase needed items.

Donating Method: $1500 for diapers and clothing.
Donation Needed: $1500

Update 2/6: The snow melted and they see blue sky now. It’s now 5 degrees during the day. Their need now is the funds to cover the repair work.

6) Hefei Children’s Welfare Home

Current situation: Due to the weather, diapers won’t dry fast enough; not enough heating in the room.

Need: 10 air conditioner units and diapers.

Donating method: $3000 for 5 air conditioner units and diapers.
Donation Needed: $3000

Update 2/6: Director Sun - They purchased 120 quilts for the older children. No new needs.

7) Zhuzhou Children’s Welfare Home, Hinan

Current Situation: The snow finally stopped after 20 days. The stores are open and there is electricity and water.

Need: winter shoes, clothing for children, diapers, need funds to cover the daily items that are more expensive due to the snow.

Donating method: send funds upon receiving donation
Donations needed: any amount will help.




8) Wuhan Children’s Welfare Home, 310 - 320 children

Current Situation: Snow continued for over 20 days; heating is a problem. Some old air conditioner units are in disrepair due to the icy snow.

Need: beddings, winter clothes and shoes, new air conditioner units.

Donating method: send funds upon receiving donation
Donations needed: any amount will help.




9) Yichang Social Welfare Home, 120 children

Current Situation: The main problem is cold! There is no heating system and they have fewer air conditioner units than they need for the heating.

Need: Air conditioner units, diapers and dryer for clothing and cloth diapers.
Donating method: send funds upon receiving donation
Donations needed: any amount will help.




10) Fuzhou City Welfare Home, Jianxi Province, 120 children

Current Situation: Due to the weather, they only now have been receiving electricity and water in the city. According to the weather forecast, there will be snow again tomorrow.

Need: the orphanage staff would like to buy a generator for electricity. The cost for a generator is $1500.

Donating method: send funds upon receiving donation
Donations needed: any amount will help.




11) YouXian Welfare home, Hunan - 20 children (mostly babies)

Current situation: There has been no electricity or water in Youxian since January 28. The orphanage hired a temporary worker at $14/day to fetch water from outside the orphanage. The roads are also closed due to the weather. They need diapers and formula for the children. They also seeking funds for a generator.

Needs: $4000 for diapers, formula and generator ($800)

Donations needed: any amount will help.

Update 2/6: Director Zhou - There is still no electricity, and the water supply runs only occasionally. The weather is getting warmer and the snow is beginning to melt. The need remains the same: funds for diapers, food and daily supplies.

12) Chibi Children’s Welfare Home, Hubei - 40 children (15 under 1 year old)

Current situation: They have electricity and water. The roof of the activity room is ruined by the heavy snow; the 40 children have no where to play currently. They are in need of diapers, formula and winter clothes.

Needs: $3000 for diapers, formula, winter clothes, and future roof repair

Donations needed: any amount will help.

Update 2/6: Director Xie - Conditions are getting much better. They will need to repair the damaged roof in the future.

13) Luo Yang Orphanage - 500 children

Luo Yang was hit by the snow earlier. Currently they are not affected by the bad weather, however, the orphanage is still experiencing the weather's effects - despite orphanage staff efforts, the cloth diapers are not drying fast enough. They need funds to buy more disposable diapers, as well as detergents, in addition to their daily supplies.

Donations needed: any amount will help.

Update 2/6: No new needs. Donations for diapers and formula is always appreciated

* * *

There are several charity groups in China currently helping orphans in the south. CBN and Half the Sky are among those we know of that are trying to send people to Chenzhou, Hunan, where the snow was hardest hitting and water is still unavailable. Electricity is just now being received today, February 3. CBN has offered to cover the cost of one month of formula for the 140 children in these areas. Children’s Hope helped link CBN with Chen Zhou today.

Let’s all work together to help the children in these orphanages!

If you would like to donate to help these children, please contact Children’s Hope International - St. Louis, at 314-890-0086 (ask for Valerie, Linda, or Andrei), or send an email to my address below. * Donate Now buttons have been added here for your convenience. The Development Aid page has been updated with this information. Simply click on any of these buttons. In the 'Additional Information' box, earmark any donations for 'Southern China emergency Fund'. Thank you!!



Melody Zhang
Children’s Hope International - China
melody@childrenshope.org.cn

* All photos received February 3, from the Xinyang Children’s Welfare Home in Henan.