Four little children aged between 7 - 15 huddled in a near collapse mud bricks cottage. Their father died and mother simply gone. There was no electricity, no water source, no furniture, no stove to cook on and aboveall, no adults who would show some care and concern. Winter breeze coming through the gaps in the walls. Complete darkness.
A 11 year old boy suffering from crippling rheumatoid arthritis in the knee. The after effect of an operation that went desperately wrong. Had to be carried to school on the back of his father everyday, lest he simply does not go to school for he could not stand up, let alone walk.
A 15 year old boy living up in the hills being rolled over by a truck on his way to school 6 years ago. He survived but lost a leg. He now hops 3 kms, or 45 minutes, to school, everyday.
Another 15 year boy, poked in the eye by the straw of the rice paddy his family grown. He suffered a detachment of the retina but not treated until examined by a doctor 2 years later.
These are but a small number of the cases we come across in our visits to China.
They come to our attention without warning and in most cases required emergency relief assistance almost immediately.
Unlike our other service areas where we have time to identify, investigate and then invest, these emergencies do not allow us the luxury of time.
We need funds ready in hand to provide whatever relief assistance on the spot.
