Development Work and Training

Henan province

Henan Qisehua Welfare Kindergarten Project FOC introduced four experts to work with the director and staff at this integrated kindergarten in 2007 to provide special-needs programming for children with disabilities and training for kindergarten staff and parents. A new Montessori-style playroom with various educational play stations, developed under the direction and supervision of an FOC volunteer associate, was unveiled at the kindergarten in March 2007. English classes for kindergarten staff and students were also introduced by FOC associates in October 2007. In addition, two STEP teams composed of six special education professionals from the US visited Zhengzhou in June 2007 and July 2007 to work with staff and children at the welfare kindergarten.

Youhua The staff of Youhua (currently consisting of four Chinese staff members under the supervision of an expert introduced by FOC) have made significant progress in the past year, establishing new contact with and developing new training materials for people who are providing primary care for children affected by AIDS in Henan. Intensive trainings have been conducted in Zhengzhou and in three outlying AIDS-affected counties during the past year. The long-term goal of the project is "to train people in each prefecture of Henan Province so that they will have a basic awareness of needs of children affected by Aids."

A training course organized by Youhua

CABA - Children Affected by Aids
- a training event organized by Youhua

Qinghai province

Well-Drilling Project This project endeavors to introduce and prove the sustainability of borehole technology as a source of safe water appropriate to Qinghai province which, when linked to health and hygiene education, can improve quality of life in Tibetan plateau communities. In 2007, we drilled a total of 12 boreholes in rural communities. An important aspect of this project is health care training which teaches basic community sanitation to schools, homes and at village meetings. A total of sixty-nine days of school health education teaching were given, reaching 4,841 children. Additionally, 136 teachers were trained in the delivery of health education teaching. In twelve different villages, twelve days of village health education training were given. Two full-time and two part-time staff were hired to sustain this project.

Model House Project This project in Hainan County is a continuing project from 2005. In 2005 FOC built a house which demonstrates various features that are affordable and beneficial to nomads and farmers. Some features include: composting latrine, passive solar heat, insulation, improved stoves, rainwater cisterns and greenhouses. In 2007, we have been maintaining the house and bringing visitors to come and learn from it so that they may incorporate these features in their own homes

Water Testing Project This project aims to provide equipment to test the quality of water sources.

Various Water Project Research Linked with the well-drilling project mentioned above, this research project involves trialing the ‘alternative technology’ of using hand augurs to test for the presence of water.

Wind Power Project:This project, still in the research phase, aims to help rural and marginalized Tibetan communities develop a source of electricity through harnessing wind power. This project employed one part-time worker to gather data and information.

Sanjiangyuan Stewardship Project This project application will fund site assessment visits to Haidong, Haibei, Huangnan, and Yushu prefectures, to meet with the local forestry departments, and together assess the potential for sustainable forestry projects that meet the overall project criteria.

Shaanxi province

Orphanages During 2007 we continued to provide care and support to one health care worker in the orphanage in Hanzhong, who is the supervisor for foreign and local staff of the institution. We also arranged volunteer services for the orphanages in Xi’an and Xianyang.

Family Project In 2007 we provided assistance and channeled funds from overseas for the establishment of a local project that will nurture the healthy development of families in Xi’an.

Voluntary Donations In Shaanxi, FOC continues to facilitate the voluntary funding by foreigners of various community development projects throughout China.

Sichuan province

Non-profit Project Consultancy In 2007, FOC and FOC-introduced experts provided management and funding consultancy services to some locally-based projects and charities.

Project Management Workshop In January two experienced FOC Project Managers led a 5-day International Project Management Workshop, for more than 30 foreign professionals involved in the establishment of the Loving China Rehabilitation Hospital in Pixian

Firm Foundations Training Centre During 2007 we continued our support for Firm Foundations Training Centre in Nanchong - a residential skills-training centre for disadvantaged and disabled teenagers.

The board of Firm Foundations celebrates the
opening of the center

In September the center was officially opened. FOC's Executive Director Harvey Phillips was one of the guests of honor, along with Dr Michael Barbalas (President of China American Chamber of Commerce) and leaders from city and district government departments. In November, the centre was awarded the status of Progressive Work Unit by Jialing district Civil Affairs Bureau as part of the 15th Party Congress Disability Action Program.

During 2007 FOC introduced experts to the center to advise on occupational therapy issues, lead art therapy sessions, and give training on anger management and Hepatitis B. In June we facilitated training regarding visa issues. In July we led a communication skills workshop for the staff of Firm Foundations.

Staff and students at the opening of the
Firm Foundations Training Centre

In July we applied to Sichuan American Chamber of Commerce for money to supply wheelchairs and other essential equipment for Firm Foundations.

In December we facilitated the formation of a training link between Firm Foundations and the Sichuan Shepherd Counseling Center in Chengdu.

Free medical consultation by Renji Clinic in
Panzhihua, with medicine provided by FOC

Medical clinics From 28th March till April 7th, FOC introduced an experienced medical doctor (employed at the Yihua Centre) to join an international medical team, working in partnership with Shi’ErQu Health Department in offering free medical clinics in Shi’ErQu, Ganzi Precture. The clinics were especially for the treatment of hydatic cysts, a life threatening disease that affects the families of farmers in poor areas.

In November, we facilitated the donation of around Y5000 of free medicines to the Renji clinic in Panzhihua, for their special "Love is Moving" charitable program, when hundreds of the poorest residents of Panzhihua received free treatment

Small Business Training In April FOC Associates at the YiHua Center arranged and hosted a special international training workshop introducing principles for starting successful small businesses. The workshop was taught by an experienced Management and Marketing Consultant.

In December, we privately published the bilingual English-Chinese book Starting a Successful Small Business, in order to give encouragement and training to people beginning in local business.

Other training and projects In 2007 FOC introduced two counseling experts to work on the staff of the Sichuan Shepherd Counseling Centre. We also introduced a volunteer English teacher to the Samuel Kindergarten in Chengdu.

Participants at the communications workshop,
held at the Holy Love Center

In June we provided project consultancy services to Project Dengke in Ganzi Prefecture.

In July we provided training in communication skills to staff and parents from the Holy Love Center in Chengdu.

In October we provided training for Bridgewater Care Center in GuiYang. The subjects were Time Management, Listening Skills, Loss and Change, and Depression.