We had a smaller group today, but our productivity was not affected by that. I read through and edited two of Light of Love's updates. One of them was about an ice breaking gathering for their new members. Their attempt to establish trust, work together, and persevere for their dreams was admirable. I also did created a few graphics for the upcoming April Transparent Fish Fund newsletter using photoshop. Looking back, we have gotten to know not just one another but the people we have been serving. We really put our heads together today, when brainstorming about improvements/additions to the newsletter and also a fun and memorable way to end the internship. ^_______^

[Light of Love is a student organization dedicated to improving health and education for underprivileged populations in China. For more information about them, please visit here.]

In April, 26 new members joined Light of Love, which brought new blood to us. The team became larger and larger, including the 9 principal members that joined the team last year. In order to help members know each other well and enhance the cohesion of our team, we held a training themed “ice-breaking trip”. The training began with interactive games.

Before the activity, everyone needed to sign up and write his or her name on a sticker. Then they put the sticker on their left arms so others could see.

The first game was called “Name Relay.” The member needed to repeat other members’ names before him or her. The purpose of the game was to help members remember each others names and be familiar with each other. Finally with the help of each other, no one was punished. When the last member spoke out all the names of members before her, we all applauded for her excellent memory.

The second game was “Emotional Virus.” The game shows that a sad virus was easily infected by happy virus, and it is the same for happiness. Therefore we should have happy hearts and spread happiness to others.

The third game was “Hold Dreams for 10 Minutes.” We wrote down a dream on a piece of paper and lifted our arms with the dream paper for 10 minutes. The game helped the members understand that dreams are not just dreams in our mind, we need to fight and persevere for them. What’s more, when you feel tired, you will find you are not the only one on the way to your dream, you have teammates who you can you rely on and share the difficulty with you. The role of teammates is power of friendship.

The fourth game was called “stone to make soup.” The purpose of the game helps teammates know the personality and ideas of each other and enhance the communication between the old members and the new ones. Though we played the game many times, we had a different understanding about the game every time we played. Everyone’s idea was different with each other, so when we were listening to others, we learned a lot from them. We need learn from each other, and make progress together.

The last game, initiated by brother Chao was “driving blind cars.” One member pretended to be a car and closed his eyes, the other commanded his teammate and made sure that they would not run into other cars. When the game was over, members talked about their feelings and thoughts, which made the game more meaningful.

When all the games were over, we wrote down our wishes on the wish wall, which recorded our wishes for ourselves, our team and the children over there.

When the training was finished, a warm song named “The Best Future” came on. Though not everyone was familiar with this song, the devout attitude on everyone's faces touched me. Seeing their sincere faces,  I believe that Light of Love will have a bright future.

Original Article translated by Shishi Ma, edited by intern Kaitlyn Cheung.

[Light of Love is a student organization dedicated to improving health and education for underprivileged populations in China. For more information about them, please visit here.]

On April 12, 2012, Nan Jing City Flower Temple Community Service center welcomed the representatives of the national civil public service to their observation.The Ministry of Civil Affairs Minister Li LiGuo, governor of Jiangsu province Li Xueyong, Nanjing Municipal Party Committee secretary Yang WeiZe, and other representatives came to visit and observe the site. Vice minister Jiang Li, discussed Light of Love’s "Young Old Romance" project, which was organized by student Dai Xianwei, and listened to the details. At the end, the executive director of One Foundation, Chinese Public Welfare Research Institute Executive Director, and the former Executive Chairman Miss Zhou all gave Dai Xianwei tips and guidance.

This conference served the purpose of providing a clear direction for implementing and developing a program to provide for uncared senior citizens, and also reflected my school's emphasis and focus on repaying society and obtaining a good reputation with the leaders of the country.

Original article translated my Shishi Ma, edited by intern Kaitlyn Cheung.

Today, I worked on translating the summaries for Transparent Fish Fund's new assosiate members: Spine China and  Neuromuscular Care Association. Both these organizations are catagorized under medical care. We had a 45 minute chat with Nancy where she informed us of the latest news and updates on NGO activity, the monly newsletter, the drafting of a ton of new NGOs to partner with, loans, funding, etc. The information she provided us will help us improve upon our work in the future. I also translated an article on the postoperative conditions of children treated by Little Red Scarf Care. Almost all of the children recovered well and apparently became...noticeably chubbier. I was unaware that LRS made calls to the families after their child's operation. This aspect makes their work more well-rounded.

[ Little Red Scarf CARE manages poverty relief programmes in rural China, Gangsu. After surgery, the staff make phone calls and visits to the children in order to ensure that they have recovered properly. The following post consists of the conditions of the children discharged in November, 2011. To learn more about LRS Care, please go here.]

Little Red Scarf discharged 36 children in November 2011. Postoperative phone call and visiting have been completed. Let us take look at the conditions of these children.

Xiao Xiaohu:  2/05/2011 discharged,  03/21/2012 review
Xiao Xiaohu is 9 months old already, and has recovered very well. He has gotten more plump, is sleeping well, and has stopped crying. His father said he has began to talk.

Taotao: 12/06/2011 discharged,  03/14/2012 review
Taotao is 9 months old, precuts excavatum has been discovered and his family is quite worried. We are trying to find away to help them into the hospital.

Yaxin: 12/04/2011 discharged, 03/12/2012 review
When Yaxin was in the hospital she was 21 kg, now she weighs 28. Her mother said she recovered very well, has lots of daily activities, and also a great appetite.

Xiao Hui: 12/29/2011 discharged
Her dad said that because of the surgery, she had to go on a leave of absence from school for a year, but now her condition is much better and she often reads at home. She can also help him cook. She is growing up, and he doesn’t have to worry as much.

Jing-jing: 12/13/2011 discharged
Her mother said that after surgery, Jing-jing gained 2 pounds, usually doesn’t cry, caught a cold once, but recovered quickly. Now she is very cute and active.

Haixia: 12/19/2011, discharged 03/15/2012 review
Her mom said that Haixia recovered well, did not catch a cold, and gained some weight. Tomorrow, Haixia will go to a bread company to work in Shandong. Over there she has lots friends and they can look out for each other.

Xiao Rong: 12/10/2011 discharged, 03/12/2012 review
His father said that Xiao Rong is now in kindergarten. He’s been very naughty and gained 2 pounds. He jumps around all day. After being discharged, he hasn’t caught a cold and his body condition has improved. The family is very happy.

A Peng: 12/15/2011 discharged
His mother said A Peng is now in kindergarten. He’s very naughty, gained 2 pounds, and after being discharged, only caught a cold once, but now it’s much better.

Zhi Jiang: 12/20/2011 discharged 04/09/2012 review
His dad said that after the surgery Zhi Jiang hasn’t caught a cold, gained weight, is very naughty, sleeps well at night, but doesn’t like to eat much. Seeing the child growing day by day, his family is very happy.

Xiaochun: 12/19/2011, discharged 04/19/2012 review
The mother said Xiaochun he gained 3 pounds after the operation. He is in a good condition. When we called her mother, she was fooling around and wouldn’t let her mother speak. The family intends let her go to kindergarten next semester.

Jia Li: 12/29/2011, discharged 03/25/2012 review
Her dad said that Jian Li gained 2-3 pounds after the surgery. The wound recovered well. Just like a normal child she is very happy! They plan to let her to go to school next semester.

Dong Dong: 12/23/2011, discharged 04/11/2012 review
Her dad said Dong Dong recovered very well, gained lots of weight, didn’t catch a cold, and he is planning to let him enter 5th grade in next semester. Dong Dong is already starting his review lessons at home.

Peng Peng: 12/27/2011 discharged
His dad said, Pengpeng overally recovered very well. He is already in 4th grade, studies very hard, and ranks 5th/6th in the class. He gained 4 pounds, and is very lively. His family is very content.

Tong Tong: 12/29/2011, discharged 03/27/2012 review
Tong Tong is now temporarily taking a leave of absence from school. In September, he will be in 4th grade. After being discharged, his body is doing well, he hasn’t caught a cold, is eating well, and often plays around with friends. His family is very pleased!

Shaobao: 12/08/2011, discharged 03/26/2012 review
His dad said Shaobao has been eating very well after being discharged and is obviously getting fatter. The wounds still need more time to recover, though.

A Jin: 12/29/2011, discharged 03/22/2012 review
A Jin has gone to second grade. His father said that his situation is very good and he has gained weight. His grades are above average.

Beibei: 12/26/2011 discharged 03/05/2012 review
BeiBei gained two pounds, is still very naughty, has a good appetite, sleeps well and no longer catches colds.

Alian: 12/02/2011 discharged 03/05/2012 review
A Lian already had review in Lan Zhou, and went back to kindergarten. His father thanked LRS and said he would tell more people about the organization.

Yongbin: 12/01/2011 discharged
Yongbin's sister answered the phone, and said her brother was in fifth grade. She is only one year older than him. Their parents work in the field. They told us Yongbin is not behaving, only likes to play, never does his homework, but the two siblings are very close to each other.

Da Long: 12/28/2011, discharged 03/26/2012 review
Da Long is in third grade now. His father said he studies well and ranks 3rd in the class. His school is a mile away from home, and every day he walks back with his classmate, and never asks his parents to pick him up. His family is very happy to see him so studious and healthy.

Jia Bo: 12/23/2011, discharged 04/06/2012 review
The mother said Jia Bo lives with his grandmother. They have gotten jobs.  The kids are very good, never catch colds, and are very peaceful.

Yuan Yuan: discharged 03/22/2012 review: 12/16/2011
Yuan Yuan is getting much better. She gained a little weight and is now 1-year-old and three months. She learned to walk and call father and mother. Her mother thanked LRS for their help, and said she would spread word to get other children treated for CHD.

A Zhi: 12/15/2011, discharged 03/15/2012 review
A Zhi has already gone to the kindergarten. The postoperative recovery was smooth. He is behaving well. His dad said  that after the surgery, Zhiyong’s body condition got much better, he no longer gets asthma attacks and his face doesn’t turn purple anymore.

Xiaoya: 12/15/2011, discharged 03/12/2012 review
His father said that Xiaoya’s appetite was very good so she gained some weight. The wound has recovered. She caught a cold after the operation, her family got nervous but she recovered after taking some medicine. The family is very happy and relaxed.

Pei Pei: 12/28/2011, discharged 02/05/2012 review
Her father said he planned to let Pei Pei go to school on next semester. Now Pei Pei loves to read. After being discharged she got better and is fatter than before.

Jing Ying: 12/20/2011, discharged 04/01/2012 review
His Uncle said that Jing Ying recovered very well. He hasn’t caught a cold and gained some weight. He runs in and out of the house everyday.

A Xuan: 12/16/2011, discharged 04/05/2012 review
His mother said A Xuan has had a good appetite recently. After surgery he gained 4 pounds. It used to be very difficult for him to participate in physically demanding activities, but now it is much easier, and he is getting lots of exercise.

Bo Wen: 12/28/2011, discharged 03/20/2012 review
His mother said he gained weight, didn’t catch a cold, and recovered well overall.

Yuqiong: 12/28/2011 discharged in March in the local review
Yuqiong is now in middle school, and lives in the school. He studies very hard.

Xiaoqian: 12/29/2011 discharged
His dad said Xiaoqian grew taller and is in good spirits. The wound is healing well and he is eating well. In September, she will go to preschool.

Original Article translated by Shishi Ma, edited by intern Kaitlyn Cheung.

Last Saturday, I worked on some customary translation and editing work, but the highlight of the day was reading the essays. This time, a few really stood out to me as exemplary compositions. Their passion, dedication, and reflections were clear and compelling. Can't wait to reveal the winners! During my experience at East Villagers, I have obtained so much knowledge about social injustice around the world and at the same time I was able to put in an effort and do something about it. Seeing the internship video (btw, good job Sophia) has reminded me if why I am here in the first place, and I hope to end the program with the best of efforts.