Two Seng Girls say “good-bye” to Shenzhen after 6 months

Time certainly flies.  After 6 months of doing vocational development in Captivating’s Shenzhen office, Kalsang Methok and Serr Tso say farewell to Shenzhen and this wonderful community.  It has been such a pleasure having them here blending in with so many cultures.  We will miss them too much.  They arrived in Shenzhen just before the 3^rd SGVTS Annual Charity Event October last year, and have remained with us since that time to learn computers, office administration and receive intensive Chinese tutoring.   The plan is that they will now return to the Seng Girls Home and be responsible for coordinating the child sponsorship information for donors as well as ongoing updates on progress at the home.  They will continue on with their schooling in the meantime as well as provide assistance to the computer class teacher up there (the room is being established this month).  With the new skills they have learned we are confident this has opened many doors for future employment when they are ready to move in this direction.

Before coming here both girls did not know how to use a computer.  Their progress has been AMAZING and they can now type, use email and MS Office software, upload photos and even do some video editing.  Thanks to Google Translate, we can now also enjoy some interesting email exchanges.

After work, they have learn’t to prepare and cook their own meals, shop for their own groceries within an approved budget, and have been learned how to record all their expenses and balance their cash and spending.   Weekends have been spent studying and doing fun activities such as a recent 5hr bike ride with Rita (Captivating volunteer) around Shenzhen Bay.

We have had such a great time with them and now feel like two members of our family are leaving us.  Serr Tso and Kalsang Methok – thankyou for being part of our lives in the Shenzhen community.

(pictured top: Girls going on their bike ride – they didn’t know how long this was going to be; Left: girls with their “brother” Tyler; Middle: girls are helping 5 other Seng Girls visiting from Guangzhou how to learn the computer; Right: Serr Tso having fun on a recent trip to the beach).

NEW PROJECT – CAPTIVATING KAILI – ENDING POVERTY FOR 450 FAMILIES

This month has seen Captivating International enter into an historic partnership arrangement with the world famous Heifer International.  Together, we have started working to end poverty for hundreds of minority group families in one of China’s poorest locations.  This project, scheduled to conclude in 6 years, “brings hope and a poverty-free future to 450 families” with family incomes expected to more than double in real terms.  In addition, over 1,000 more families will be impacted with access to improved farming methods and experience being passed on to them from this initiative.  TO ACHIEVE THIS, WE NEED YOUR HELP. Whether great or small, everyone can play an important part of this program to permanently improve the lives of families and children.

Pictured left is the Pan Chenghui family.  Husband, wife, and 3 year old girl and 4 year old son.  Until recently Pan and his wife worked in temporary and inconsistent jobs in the city, leaving their children at home with his father.  But, a short time ago his father passed away.  Returning to the village to bury his father, Pan had no choice but to make the decision to leave his wife and children in the village and return to the city for work.  However, thanks to this initiative the Pan Chenghui family will now remain together in the village living with the hope of creating sustainable income from their soon-to-commence animal husbandry business – a business that will generate ongoing and consistent income for them.  Pan told us that his children don’t know the taste of meat with their only protein coming from an egg they have once a week.  Life is about to change, and with it a greater hope Pan and his wife will see their two children complete high-school and live poverty-free lives.  They’re now all smiles.

THE NEED

• Guizhou Province has long been considered one of China’s poorest provinces and poverty amongst rural farmers and households is still a significant issue.  In remote rural poor locations weak instrastructure, mountainous land mass, a lack of training and guidance to try something new, a concern about taking risks, and no seed-funding to get things started together make progress difficult.

• Duoji and Daxi villages are neighbors and part of the Kaili County.  All villagers are Miao m inority with a third of the population needing to become migrant workers to survive (meaning they leave the village to find heavy laboring work in the cities).  In most cases, this means waiting on the side of the road in a city hoping that a van comes past looking for laborers for that day.  It is not reliable work.  For most families, what they earn away from the village is the only cash the family receives with everything else being barter based.  The average total income (including migrant earnings) is RMB: 1700- per person annually (US/A$285 per year), much les s than the standard dollar-a-day per person poverty benchmark.

THE SOLUTION

• We at Captivating want all children to have the opportunity to achieve their dreams and their potential. Not being able to finish school is a major road-block to that vision.  These villages have the perfect opportunity of addressing this problem permanently by building the capacity of these families to increase their family in come – ending poverty for this generation and all those that follow it.

• Heifer International (world experts in rural village development) and Captivating International have partnered together to do this.    Heifer providing the expertise, Captivating International providing the funding.  The solutions are focused on having the families fully involved in their decisions, retaining cultural and ethnic customs, caring for the environment and new skills that last a lifetime.

• Six Self-help Groups (SHGs) have been established and trained by on-the-ground Heifer experts.  These SHG’s have received start-up funds from Captivating International and are now responsible for running a village bank – providing both expertise and small business loans to families wanting to improve their income position.   The focus of solutions will be animal-rearing and agricultural improvement.  Other community development activities will also be incorporated as seen fit by the SHG’s.

• The project will start by assisting an initial 150 families in two villages.  The solutions will vary depending on family physical circumstances but it is expected that many will opt to receive pigs or chickens in accordance with local circumstances, preferences and customs.  A further 300 families will be assisted through recipient families agreeing to pass-on-their-gift (POG) as a key part of the program requirement.  For example, those who receive aid at the beginning of the project will pass equal-valued livestock to new approved families in 2 or 3 years, with these new recipient families doing likewise a few years later. The whole project will be finished within 6 years with the total families helped reaching 450.

WE REALLY NEED YOUR HELP! Will you partner with us?

We need a combination of start-up funding partners (people who can give once-only donations of US$1,000, US$2,500 or US$5,000+) as well as people who are able to become ongoing family sponsors.

Will you become a PROJECT PARTNER?

You would be responsible for ensuring we get this project off to a great start.  We need help through our first year of this project – buying us time to engage family sponsors.  By far the first year is our highest year of financial commitment with much of the livestock being supplied to the initial 150 families.  We will recognize all donations above US$1,000 as a project partner on our website as well as give you a 6 monthly update on the project.  For more information, please email andrewc@captivating.org

Will you SPONSOR A FAMILY?

We want to match 150 sponsor families with each of the village families taking part in this project.  Each year we’ll keep you updated on how your family is progressing throughout the 6 year life of this project, including pictures of other families that benefit from your family passing-on-their-gift.  In effect, over the 6 year period of your sponsorship, not just one but three families will see the end of poverty because of your support.  Sponsorship is US/A$40 a month or US/A$480 a year.  Your contribution for the full six years will also enable us to prepare for the next village development initiative.  For more information, please email andrewc@captivating.org

Will you become a CAPTIVATING ADVOCATE and promote this project to your network?

You might not be in a position to personally donate money, but you have a voice and friends and family.  Can you help to spread the word?  Please email andrewc@captivating.org for more details.  We’ll be with you all the way. Xie Xie Ni (thank-you).

QSI students set up library room at Eden

Students in the secondary IB class at QSI International School of Shekou participated in a service project to help support the children at Project Eden.  The major emphasis of the project was to add on to QSI’s earlier project of creating a recreation room for the children at the home.  This time, students designed a library room adjacent to the activity room, they planned and organized many fundraisers in order to buy supplies for their project and went to visit Eden to carry out the makeover.  They spent the day painting, assembling furniture, and setting up the room. They even had the opportunity to work with the children at Eden, tutoring them in math and English.  The QSI students were also able to provide books, food, and sandals for all of the children at the home, and while there, the group enjoyed hiking through the countryside with some of the girls from the home.  While the QSI students were happy to give their time and effort to help the children at Project Eden, they also benefited greatly from the opportunity to get involved and to see their plans come together.  The students went home messy, with paint in their hair and mud on their shoes, but with smiles on their faces, having gotten the chance to help out the students at Project Eden. We want to say a huge thank-you to all the students involved in this project. Now the Eden children have a lovely bright room for study, reading and quiet time, all brought about by the kindness of the QSI students and their teachers.

(pictured above – students painting; below – students helping Eden kids learn, enjoying their work and a QSI group photo ).

Growing up in Heilongjiang

“I am doing the home visit of two students whose home is far away from school, but the road is not open yet, so every day they need to walk around 40 minutes to get to their school. The school teacher and I visit their family’s’ small home.  Today I will talk about one of the boys named Zihe.  Zihe lives with his Dad in a house belonging to his aunt, the house is not large, and it is made of brick which is painted. When you first get into the house, there is a kitchen which uses a fire to cook and the kitchen is also a storage room.  Except the Kang (a coal heated brick bed) for sleeping, there are only 1.5 meters wide left.  Inside the house there is only an old wardrobe, and it doesn’t have any electricity.  Zihe’s father went out for an injection because of serious paralysis. His aunt came by and I learned from her that the only income of Zihe’s home is the low monthly premiums (this is what the government gives to the poorest homes). For the cost of his Dad’s injections and medicine, the government will help with the cost, but his aunt and other three siblings cover the rest and subsidize his family.  Before, Zihe’s relatives could let him live in school.  But now , because of his father’s sickness, Zihe has to live at home, as the cost of living at school is too much for them.  There I saw Zihe is very close to his aunt, like mother and son.  He behaves like a little adult in front of his aunt, and tries to show that he is very mature.  But when he is outside of the house, he became a little mischievous; whenever  I tried to take photos of him, he always hid behind the teacher and sometimes he ran and hid behind the coals.  So we see the two sides of this child and realize that while he wants to be mature to help his Father and Aunt in these difficult circumstances, at heart he is still an innocent child, like every other boy of his age around the world, who wants to run and play and have a little fun.”

This article was written by Pheonix, our field staff in Heilongjiang province. Pheonix co-ordinates the progress reports from the 150 children we support in various schools in this region and part of her job is to visit the families of the children in our program.  Because of the severe weather conditions there (frozen 7 mths of the year), she has to wait until the roads are clear of snow to carry out the family visits. The boy she writes about, (Zi He) is in our program because his father was not able to make enough money to support the two of them, he often borrowed from relatives for food and Zi He would go to school with an empty stomach.  We are happy to report that thanks to his kind sponsor, he is doing well at school, his academic achievements are very good and he would like to be a badminton player when he is older.

We have many children in poor circumstances in Heilongjiang who need sponsors. If you would to find out more, please go to our web page:  http://www.captivating.org/project/details/2

(pictured: Top, Zihe with his aunt; Bottom left and middle, On the way to Zihe’s home; Bottom right, Zihe with his dad).

Two Eden boys take up employment

Their lives have changed in many ways from the initial disadvantaged situations from which they were brought into care. It is so wonderful to see how, through education and thoughtful, loving care given, they have grown into fine young adults.  This would not have been possible if it wasn’t for their dedicated sponsors who have financially supported them for over 5 years.  This is what our work is all about – seeing kids rescued from difficult (impossible) circumstances and given a chance to dream.  We wish them every success as they make their first steps towards providing for themselves and becoming young independent adults.

(pictured: Left: Kai Tao when he first started receiving care over 5 years ago .  Middle: Kai Tao and Chuang Long (left of photo) in a recent photo with their “brothers” from Eden.  Right: Chuang Long when he first came us 4 years ago).

Seng Girls Visit Shenzhen

Last month five Seng Girls, who are currently receiving English Vocational Training in Guangzhou, took a train to Shenzhen for a 3 week visit.  These five girls were picked to attend the English Vocational Training Program in Guangzhou because they scored the highest marks in English at the SGVTS.  They have now entered their second year of training and have made enormous progress in perfecting the English language both oral and written.  The purpose of the visit to Shenzhen was to immerse these girls in an English environment where they could practice what they’ve learned during their semester break.

The three weeks spent in Shenzhen were busy for these girls!   In the mornings volunteer English teachers spent 2 ½ hours a day teaching these beautiful girls English.  HUGE thanks to Veronica, Rita, Ryan and Bill for doing such as amazing job with these girls.  They LOVED these morning sessions.  After lunch they would attend computer lessons.  On Monday, Wednesday and Friday’s they visited Quality International School (QSI) for more English training and also had the opportunity to help the QSI teachers prepare for their classes.  Each day the girls would go shopping so they could prepare and cook their own meals.  One of the goals of the 3 week stay was to improve their domestic skills and to help them get ready to raise themselves.   Two days each week they would attend family dinners at Captivating International volunteer’s houses were they would speak English and play games (thanks Lynn & Gus, Kelsey & Brian, Rita & Con).  The weekends were packed with many fun things for the visiting Seng girls.  Kelsey, from QSI, prepared lots of games and crafts with girls, Tracy escorted the girls up Nanshan Mountain, Abby & Ron took the girls to a volleyball tournament,  and Andrew and Julie prepared several nice walks and picnics.

During the time the Seng girls were in Shenzhen it was snowing back in Qinghai.  The SGVTS is still experiencing the heart of winter which will last till the end of April.  During the winter months at the SGVTS, when class is over, the girls play in the snow making snowman and having snowball fights.  It doesn’t seem to matter who you are, or where you live, people all over the world do the same things in the snow!

We would like to give a big “Thank You” to King Way Garment Factory and JIA RUI Company for donating much needed jackets, blankets and cold weather clothing to the SGTVS.  Due to their generous and thoughtful donation the 100 girls currently residing in Qinghai were able to stay warm during these cold winter months.

We at Captivating International want to thank all our volunteers and donors for their continuous support.  We value this support tremendously; it is the fuel, along with the smiles from the Seng girls, that keeps us going!

(pictured: Seng Girls at Seaworld; Girls at SGVTS; Girls at with one of their English Teachers – Veronica; Helping QSI students; with snowman; Cooking at Kelsey’s home; At QSI; Receiving blankets from donor).

THANK YOU to our volunteer translators…

This month, we would like to say a big THANK YOU to all of our volunteer translators. This group of generous people have offered their time, skills and devotion to our projects by translating many many documents from Chinese to English.

The majority of the documents needing translation are annual child progress reports and family progress reports, which we receive from our on the ground field staff at the various locations around China. Once these reports are translated and proofed, they are sent to the sponsor(s) of each child and family, in order for them to receive an update on how they are progressing.

Over 400 progress reports will be translated this year and these volunteers give so many hours of their personal time to this.  They are consistently so obliging in taking on this work and no job is ever too big for them.  We can’t thank you enough for the huge contribution you make to being that bridge between our sponsors and children.  So – Suji, Bobo, Becky, Jenny, Daisy, Angel, Kyle, Daniela, Emily, Anna and Lisa – a HUGE thankyou from us to you.  We think your all amazing.

多谢! (Many Thanks)

(pictured: Our longest serving translators, Suji and Bobo).

Project Eden- Guangdong Province

Project Eden has really grown this past 6 months.  In August more children needing our support joined Eden and in September, as part of our plan to expand the support for the Qinghai girls’ vocational development, another 4 girls came down to attend the local school and to learn intensive Chinese. In total, we now have 17 children being cared for in a safe and caring environment. The children have adjusted really well to life in a new and very different province.  The environment at Eden has helped a lot with this adjustment, living in a family and country setting. They are all doing very well at school, getting good reports from the teachers and taking part in sports activities. The girls from Qinghai need help with their homework, as all subjects are taught through Chinese.

The group was also thrilled to receive a second-hand van at Eden.  It seats seven people and can also be used to carry goods. Previous to this, we depended on public transport for getting around and had no means to deal with an emergency if it arose. A big thank you to our two very generous sponsors from Australia, who donated funds to purchase the van (see photo!).

We had our first opportunity to sell bracelets made by the girls, at the Treasures of Hope shop birthday celebration in September. The bracelets generated great interest and we plan to continue to develop this as potential for income in the future.

Finally, we want to give special thanks to two new  China based project sponsors who have embraced Project Eden.  Greg and his team of volunteers who will organize an annual midnight charity race in Shenzhen.  Greg’s work covers 50% of the total budget for our foster family program.  AWESOME!!! Also Aaron and his team from Treasures of Hope in Dongguan who will be giving part of the monthly profits from his business to Eden every quarter.  This is truly wonderful.

OTHER THANK YOU’s

The rest of Eden’s budget is made up of sponsors and donors from around the world who share with us a real desire to help kids.  The girls from Qinghai are supported through sponsors and supporters as part of the Seng Girls Home operational budget.  If you are one of those who support either Project Eden or these girls, then we thank you for your generosity.  Eden is moving from strength to strength and bringing hope to all these kids in incredible ways.  They are indeed lucky but, more importantly, are making incredible progress in their confidence and education.  It is so encouraging and heartwarming to see the impact your continued support has on the lives of these children. Thank you.

Find out more stories about Project Eden by visiting our blog at  http://www.captivating.org/blog/category/project-eden/

Blog Categories

• Captivating Kenya
• Captivating Kidz
• General News
• Heilongjiang P200
• Project Eden
• Seng Girls Home
• Village Development