Update on Weather Conditions in Eastern China

We are so thankful that Nolan's area has not been affected by the recent snow storms and frigid temps. I did post earlier on Lorelei's orphanage which was one of the worst hit. I especially wanted to post again to help paint a clear picture of institution life for so many little ones in China. You will see that the Chenzhou Social Welfare Institute has 150 infants. I hope that makes each get out of your comfy chair and do something to make a difference in the life of an orphaned child somewhere... anywhere!

Here is another update from Jenny Bowen, Director of Half the Sky:

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 warm, 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.
Please check our website for the latest update http://www.halfthesky.org/work/ littlemouse. php