2009 PEACH VOLUNTEERS 2009 PEACH VOLUNTEERS UNDERSTANDING TRIPUNDERSTANDING TRIP

2009 PEACH Volunteer Trip Summary

Mrs. Anli Chao, president of PEACH’s Taiwan chapter, led the 2009 Volunteer’s Trip. Seven volunteers from US, Taiwan and China participated this unforgettable trip. They visited 28 students’ home in 7 counties around YuLong, and they also visited many PEACH students in their middle schools.

At LiJiang airport – all participants

School Inspection

JiuHe (Nine-River) Middle School is the biggest middle school in YuLong County. They have a total of 74 teachers and 1200 students, of whom 35% are underprivileged.

A PEACH volunteer gives the children at JiuHe Middle School a motivational speech, encouraging the children to never give up.

ShiGu Middle School is over 50 years old. Most of the students came from remote mountainous regions. They have a total of 70 teachers and 857 students, of whom 43% are underprivileged.

Children’s Homes

The biggest dream and challenge for YaoJinFeng’s parents is to have good harvests to support the elderly and their children’s education.

YaoJinFeng’s family - four generations live together.

Salute to Mother

LiJu’s mother bears the responsibility of taking care of her aging parents and paying her two young daughters’ tuition after LiJu’s father abandoned the family. When asked, she said that she did it by borrowing money and selling foods.

Home of YangSiAn

The small wooden structure behind the volunteers photographed is the kitchen.

YangSiAn’s Bedroom

There is no wall to keep the winter cold out.

Home of HuangMingSheng

We need flashlights to see what is in this dark and damp room.

HuangMingSheng’s brother dropped out of school to help the family because their father was injured by a bear and is still unable to work.

Home of HeLiPing

A half-built structure stands in the middle of nowhere.

HeLiPing’s mother told us that HeLiPing almost dropped out because they had no money to pay her living expenses.

ShiXiuFang lives in SiGu town. Her family had no land to farm, her mother passed away, her father is deaf, and her grandmother is crippled. The family’s only source of income is when her father gets odd jobs, cleaning meat products.

ShiXiouFong’s Father & Grandmother

HeChunMei’s father is dead and her mother has mental problems. Her younger brother is living in the orphanage. The small room behind us is HeChongMei’s home.

Home of YangYaoQinHer family home is leaning after the earthquake.

Home of HeZhiLin

HeZhiLin’s older sister gave up the opportunity to go to college when their father passed away last year.

HeZhongXin’s family situation hasn’t improved over the years, but his parents insisted on supporting both children’s educations. Fortunately hope is near because both boys will graduate from college this year.

Kitchen Cabinet

ExchangesEncouragement from the volunteers brings smiles to the students.

Exchanges with Students in DaJu Middle SchoolEveryone is still a little bit nervous and shy.

PEACH Students and volunteer in YuLong Ming Zhong High School

With a little time, the students warm up to the volunteers and became friends.

A tender moment with a PEACH volunteer.

We finally meet each other

The students listen with close attention.

Roads to homes of the children

Lunches on the Home Visit Trips

We usually bring ManTou (buns) for lunch.

Hot noodle soup is a real treat.

The challenging road conditions, visible poverty and The challenging road conditions, visible poverty and the smiles on children’s faces filled our trip with gratitude the smiles on children’s faces filled our trip with gratitude and fond memories. Yet the trip is only the beginning of and fond memories. Yet the trip is only the beginning of PEACH’s work.PEACH’s work.

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