Development

During 2003, FOC was involved in several rural community development, rural education, and poverty alleviation projects in Qinghai and Sichuan Province. A variety of volunteers and foreign experts were recruited to assist resident FOC foreign experts in these projects.

Qinghai Province

Health and Sanitation Programs

FOC cooperated with related Bureaus in Zeku, Jianzha and Hualong to continue our water development projects in Huang Nan prefecture, and Agricultural projects in Jianzha.
FOC personnel helped to build a latrine at Dou Fu Dun No.3 School in Zeku, And gave training in how to build a VIP (Ventilated Improved Pit) latrine in Hualong. FOC continued its program to help with the construction of water cisterns in Hualong.
In the second half of 2003, FOC’s Engineering Team has completed construction of 3 Wells in Zeku County.
During 2003, the FOC Medical Poverty Fund spent 57,617.77 RMB in helping nationals with medical expenses. We have helped 39 patients, 14 of whom were seen in a village clinic. The money was spent at the following hospitals: Women’s and Children’s Hospital, Provincial Hospital, # 2 Hospital, and the Red Cross Hospital, and the 536 Hospital.

Educational activity in Zeku County primary boarding schools

Library Project English books were provided for a library in an FOC teacher’s home at Zeku County Middle School. The middle school students (and teachers) can borrow these books to help them develop their English language skills.

Agricultural work in Jianzha

FOC’s agricultural consultant in Jianzha continued to develop agricultural improvements, in cooperation with local farmers.

Sichuan Province

Purchase of medical equipment for two hospitals in Ganzi Prefecture

Working together with the Sichuan International Health Exchange Center, and with funding provided by the Sichuan American Chamber of Commerce, FOC was able to purchase much-needed ultrasound equipment and generators for ShiQu County Hospital and XinDuQiao Hospital in Ganzi Prefecture.

Construction of a primary school in Dege County of Ganzi Prefecture

In cooperation with Stichting Assistance International and other foundations, in 2002 FOC provided some funds for construction of a primary school in Dege County, also in Ganzi Prefecture. This project has the support of the local government. The school is now running, with 29 pupils (1st & 2nd grade) and one teacher.

FOC plans to continue expanding its development and educational programs in Qinghai and Sichuan over the next year. These successful programs have come from much hard work on the part of FOC associates, government departments at all levels and the local people themselves.

Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region

Waterwell project in Yuepohu County

In cooperation with Operation Mercy, FOC helped to drill two wells in this dry county to a depth of 210-250 metres, in order to supply water around 450 families.