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08/17/09 |
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HongLiang Village School Reconstruction (Photos)
On December 16 Chris traveled to Huili county in southern Sichuan province to visit the latest school construction project. This project is being conducted in partnership with the local government in an effort to rebuild after the area’s August 30 earthquake. The earthquake destroyed or severely damaged thousands of homes, hundreds of schools, and many other buildings. Local government officials have asked IDEAS to help rebuild village schools and we’ve agreed to help build one school at this time. The May 12 earthquake in central Sichuan received international attention and vast amounts of aid continue to be sent to help those affected by that disaster. In contrast, the August 30 Huili earthquake received little exposure and has local residents have received minimal assistance. In keeping with IDEAS’ goal to help the forgotten peoples of the world, we’ve undertaken this very necessary project. Here are a few facts about the area. HongLiang village is a Nosu village with a population of 1,118 people, 216 households, occupying an area of 11 square kilometers, and having an elevation of 2,950 feet above sea level. The village is part of a remote, poor area where residents are somewhat dispersed. The HongLiang village elementary school now has 1st and 2nd grades with two classes and a student population of 40 children and one substitute teacher. HuiLi's August 30 6.1 earthquake brought with it serious damage: Farming households: Most farmer's homes collapsed, and those that didn't collapse were damaged to the point that they’re unsafe to live in. After the government inspected the village they found that none of the homes are habitable and all must be torn down. Therefore, all of the farmers are now living in cramped, cold tents. Village Elementary School: The existing rammed earthen wall village elementary school building completely collapsed. Currently students and teachers are conducting classes in a temporary school building. The building is of inexpensive construction and is only a temporary solution. Government Reconstruction Plan: Farmer's Housing: Since the earthquake completely destroyed all of the homes, the HuiLi county government has initiated a subsidy policy to subsidize 26,000 - 30,000 RMB per household. Their plan is to have all homes rebuilt by January 2009. Village Elementary School: In HuiLi county's most seriously hit earthquake areas key township elementary, middle, or schools needing large amounts of capital (e.g. 500,000 - 1,000,000 RMB or more) will fall within the scope of the government's reconstruction plan. However, projects for village schools or those schools requiring smaller amounts of capital (200,000 - 300,000 RMB or so), those township governments must find their own contacts or find their own aid to help with construction. Currently, about 53 of these type schools have no funding and no reconstruction plan. IDEAS hopes to provide continuing aid to this area. Please consider contributing toward helping the Nosu people of this area. Call or write the IDEAS office at the address at the bottom of this email or give online by clicking here. Thank you!
See the Project photos to see the existing school site. If you're interested in supporting these projects and people financially, you can donate directly by going to the IDEAS website. Thank you. |
This site was last updated
08/17/09
