by CCI Admin | Jun 17, 2013 | Disaster Relief
Background
Da Yang village is located in a valley in Guanxi province. Mountains encircle the village and the sound of rushing water can be heard from each of the 52 homes. The river is the central part of the community – the people bath in it and the children play in it. The soil is lush and most of the land is blanketed with rice fields. Although the river is a benefit to the society of Da Yang, it can also become a major threat during the rainy season – when the river is prone to flooding. The average annual income for an individual in Da Yang is 1,890 RMB a year which is about $250. All of the 226 people that live here are Miao, which is an ethnic minority in China. The Miao people have a distinct culture and language. Many of the people here are uneducated and can therefore not speak the national language of Han. This is a major economic disadvantage for the people of Da Yang because they are unable to communicate in the marketplace to sell their goods. The government officials overseeing Da Yang recognized this problem years ago and contacted China Care International for assistance in building a primary school. Han Chinese would be taught to the children which would enable them effectively communicate in the marketplace in the future. Since the school has been built a few years ago, CCI has had the privilege of seeing the living standards of the village improve dramatically. However, there are still needs that are pressing for Da Yang.
Need
Da Yang needs a stable footbridge that is structurally sound. During the rainy season between March and August, the village is highly vulnerable to flooding. All of the water from
the surrounding hills fills the rivers and flows right through the center of Da Yang. There is currently unsuitable infrastructure to handle the force of these floods. In fact, one can see the remains of bridge on a riverbank that was helpless against the river. Currently there is a small concrete bridge that is built over the river, however, the bridge is not structurally sound and will undoubtedly be washed away during the next major flood. This specific bridge is connected to 3 main administrative villages and 6 other natural villages. When the bridge is washed over, there are 1,600 people that are unable to get their goods to the marketplace and entire villages suffer.
Humanitarian Proposal
CCI can help through providing the materials for a more firmly established bridge that can support the influx of water during the rainy season. Widening the bridge and placing larger culvers underneath it, will allow for water to flow through freely without causing flooding or damage to the bridge. The estimated cost for this 14 meter bridge is $17,400. The people of Da Yang have raised $1,250 for the construction of this project. CCI would need to cover the remaining $16,150 to put this plan into action. This bridge will promote economic development – as the people will be able to sell their goods in the marketplace anytime of the year. This project is not a difficult one, and the simplest structure can make a lasting impact to a large number of people in Da Yang and the surrounding villages.
by CCI Admin | Jun 17, 2013 | Disaster Relief, Primary Schools
Background
He Cun Village, or “River” Village, is a fitting name for this community that backs up to a large river. A massive canopy tree lies at the center of the village. This tree is aged and weathered, like much of the people that gather under it, including the elderly men that love to play cards and checkers in the shade. Many of the adult farmers have vacated the village in hopes of making more money at a factory job in Guangdong. The annual income for an individual is 2,250 RMB a year which is less than a dollar a day. He Cun is the central village and there are four natural villages that are attached to it comprising of 508 people. Two of these natural villages are located across the river that is 24 meters wide. The current bridge that connects these villages is constructed of pine logs and rope and is loosely supported by piles of rocks and concrete. Over 42% of the people that dwell in Rongshui autonomous county are Miao including the village of He Cun. The Miao people are a minority group in a Han-dominated China. They have their own appearance, culture and language. They build their homes with timber, they make homemade whisky out of sticky rice, and they love to dance!
Need
He Cun Village is fortunate to have access to clean water, unlike many of the other villages in the region. However, another devastating problem that threatens the livelihood of He Cun is the lack of a stable bridge. Fragments of rebar stick out of a concrete block on each side of the river, showing signs of a bridge that used to be. The unstable platforms of pine and rope that are currently in place will certainly be washed away by the next flood. Without a bridge the
two natural villages on the other side of the river will be unable to sell their goods in the market and their livelihoods are at risk. Living on a budget of a dollar a day does not leave any room for risk.
Humanitarian Proposal
A larger and more firmly established bridge needs to be constructed. This bridge would need to be 24 meters in length and wide enough for the villagers to haul carts of goods across it. The total cost of this project is $15,500. The He Cun people have pooled their resources together to contribute $1,100. China Care International would need to provide the remaining $14,400 to meet the practical need of this village. This region will certainly experience economic development as they will be able to sell their goods in the marketplace anytime of the year. With a structurally sound bridge in place, the 508 Miao people that reside in He Cun will be benefitted, as well as hundreds more in the future.
by CCI Admin | Jun 17, 2013 | Clean Water Projects
Background
After driving for four-and-a-half hours from Rongshui on unpaved mountain roads, one might find themselves in Liangsong Village. Dogs and chickens roam freely on the dirt roads. The women wear traditional Miao clothing – with bright colorful leggings and patterned blouses. The elderly men smoke tobacco out of a long wooden pipe. It is a different world entirely than the economic booming cities like Shenzhen and Guangzhou. The modern economic success of China has yet to reach the 78 families of Liangsong. This village, like many in this area, is made up of farmers. When looking at the vast valley that lies beneath Liangsong there are rice fields as far as the eye can see. However, nowadays the available farmland is quite limited. It is estimated that there is only 320 square meters per person, which yields very low profits. The lack of available land, as well as the isolated geographical location of Liangsong makes it one of the 13 poorest villages in Rongshui autonomous county. The average annual income per individual is between $250 and $300 which is significantly below the poverty line. The ethnicity of Liangsong is Miao which is a minority group in China. The Miao have a distinct appearance, culture and language that is considerably different than that of the Han Chinese.
Needs
The problems that the people of Liangsong face are many. One is the immense number of Miao adults that have vacated the village to seek more profitable factory jobs in Guangdong province. Because of this, the majority of the village is made up of children and the elderly. Another major need is education. Many of the families are unable to afford to send their children to school. The government of China actually offers free schooling and three meals a day for
children, however the government does not provide money for transportation. In isolated regions, such as Liangsong village, the nearest school can be up to an hour away by car and three hours by foot and so many children stay at home.
However, the greatest threat to the livelihood of the people is the lack of clean water. The people draw water from a ravine that is 1.2 kilometers away. This water source is clean enough for drinking except during the rainy season where landslides cause the water source to become dirty and discolored. Between the rainy months of March and August, Liangsong is extremely vulnerable to sickness and disease.
The piping system that is currently being used for water is an equivalent health risk as the contaminated ravine. Because of the cold climate during the winter, much of the polyethylene (PE) piping freezes over which causes cracks. In order to reduce the waste of leaking water the people replaced the PE pipes with rubber tubing. These rubber tubes were formerly used for irrigation in the rice fields and are filled with pesticides and cancerous agents. This problem needs to be addressed promptly in order to avoid further harm for the people of Liangsong.
Humanitarian Proposal
A mountain that is 3.4 kilometers away from Liangsong has a fresh water spring that could be the answer to the water crisis. A reservoir is needed to collect the clean water, along with 3,400 meters of new PE piping. The total cost of this project is $14,600. The people of Liangsong have pooled $3,300 of their own finances together to contribute to the construction of this project. China Care International would need to pay for $11,300 to make clean water a reality. Something as simple as pure water can instantly improve the livelihood and productivity of Liangsong. This project would not only give the people fresh water but also benefit the livelihood, productivity and economic development for generations to come.
by CCI Admin | Jun 17, 2013 | Clean Water Projects
Background
The scene in Shang Luoyou Village is quite different than that of the large metropolitan cities in China. Small, single bedroom homes seem to be one step shy of toppling over. Men haul their crop using wooden planks that are balanced on their shoulders. Much of the wealth and modern economic success of China has yet to reach Shang Luoyou due to the village’s isolated location and dangerous unpaved roads. These roads are hard to navigate on a good day, and on a rainy day it is nearly impossible. The loose soil on the steep hillside can quickly turn into landslide and completely block the road. This leaves Shang Luoyou in economic isolation as the people are unable to sell their goods in the marketplace. There are just 33 families, amounting to 137 people in this village. Miao is their ethnicity which is a minority group in China. The average annual income of the people is approximately $330 a year which makes Shang Luoyou one of the 13 poorest villages in Rongshui autonomous county. The primary trade of Shang Luoyou people is farming rice which can be labor intensive and yields low profits.
Need
There are several needs that the Shang Luoyou people possess. The most pressing however is their need for clean water. Currently they are drawing water from a nearby creek that is 1 kilometer away. This creek remains clean and clear for much of the year. During the rainy season, however, the river changes color to a dark yellow color as the mud from the hillside slides into the creek. Without clean water the village is in grave danger of sickness, and with their remote location, they are not near any hospital or clinic for treatment.
Humanitarian Proposal
A fresh water spring that is 2,400 meters away from Shang Luoyou has been located on a nearby mountain. By building a reservoir and providing 2,400 meters of piping this village can have a safe and secure source for clean water. The total cost of this project is $15,800. The people have pooled their resources together to raise $2,100 – which is a significant amount for this village who lives far below the poverty line. China Care International would need to provide the remaining funds which are $13,700 to put these plans into effect. CCI has been able to assist many villages in the Rongshui autonomous county with clean water projects and it is our desire to do the same for Shang Luoyou. This water project will not only provide a source for clean water but also a source of hope for the Miao people of Shang Luoyou.
by CCI Admin | Jun 16, 2013 | Clean Water Projects
Background
The collective culture of the Miao people can be clearly seen in the village of Xiao Xi. Back porches and front doors of small homes are scarcely divided, the farmers work together on shared rice fields, wooden chairs line the public walkway. There are 36 homes and 146 people in Xiao Xi. It is located in a cold mountainous district and the road leading to the village is unpaved and can be very dangerous. These factors have contributed to the delayed economic development of Xiao Xi. The annual average income for an individual here is 2,200 RMB which is about $350. Xiao Xi is entirely made up of the Miao ethnic group. The Miao people are considered a minority group in China and have a unique culture that is distinct from the Han Chinese. The primary occupation of Xiao Xi people is farming and during the day the village is emptied as farmers tend to their rice fields.
Need
Xiao Xi needs roads to be paved and their food supply is quite low. However, their water source is often contaminated and this is by far the most urgent need. Considering how there has been very few water projects in the area, the people do not have a water source nearby and they have to draw their water from a ravine that is 500 meters away. Even worse, this ravine is subject to contamination. During the rainy season, between the months of March and August, heavy rain causes the soil to loosen on the hillsides and large amounts of dirt slides into the ravine. This causes impurities and discoloration. There is no sanitation system in place in Xiao Xi, so the
people have no other choice but to cook, clean and drink with this water. In doing so, they are in great risk of sickness and their immune systems are weakened. Without any kind of hospital or clinic nearby, it is of utmost importance to keep good health in Xiao Xi.
Humanitarian Proposal
CCI has been a part of several clean water projects in Guanxi province and is prepared to answer the water crisis in Xiao Xi. About two and a half kilometers from the village is a spring that has the clean water that Xiao Xi desperately needs. The plan is to build a reservoir that is 30 meters cubed that will collect the water. Polyethylene piping will carry this clean water for 2,600 meters to Xiao XI. The total cost of this project is about $15,400. The people of Xiao Xi have contributed $1,500 – which is a significant amount living off of less than a dollar a day. CCI would need to cover the remaining $13,900 to put this plan into effect. Clean water is a human necessity and CCI is honored to assist in providing this need for the people of Xiao Xi. Access to clean water will instantly improve the quality of life for this small mountain village.
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