by Dennis Su

Immersing in Chinese life for a few days from experiencing life in the streets, like reading local newspapers, to all the CCTV channels in the hotel rooms, gave me certain insight about operating CTEF. Some ideas have been reinforced by chatting with the Interglow staff hired locally and with Hoi Wah.  My next task is to try to summarize some of these thoughts to be discussed with you guys at our Board meeting.

In a few hours, I will be joining the Provincial and Zhou Foreign Office representatives to ride up from Xi Chang to Putou, the town. Then tomorrow, the 11th, will start the climb up the mountain in the rented SUV to the community center for the official opening event.

Toured the Yi minority museum yesterday and learnt the first time that 1) this region was not "liberated" by the Chinese government until 1953, NOT 1949. 2) This part of Sichuan is used to belong to an old province "Kong something", 3) there was a very primitive slavery system among the Yi, and 4) the Red Army's 20,000 long march passed through here and team up with this region.

That brings up the community center: there are 98 students from the two nearby Yi villages and all must went through wash and hair cut (except girls) and changed into new clean underwear and uniform before accepted into the dormitory, because all the clothes from home have lice and other bugs. They learnt to wash their hands and clean before meals. Many thing we take for granted must be taught.

The medical team I am with is performing the very first medical check up for these kids and some of their parents, and start a recording system for them.

The ultimate goal of this facility is to lift the region out of poverty and be self sufficient in a few years. Interglow already working on a plan to have a Chinese herbal company to invest with the villagers to plant Chinese herbs to increase the income and living standards. But this takes time and Interglow is working on a master plan to phase out the operation budget in a few years. s

However, this goal sounds quite academic. The challenge to reach it is more depanding on human factors and cultural background. 1) One of the two teachers already express lack of interest to stay in such a "outpost", he is Han. 2) the clinic is staffed by the county health staff, but again, she has no motivation to help and to carry out basic health and medical procedure, not to mention the basic care that we, the civilized, expected to get from health providers. 3) How the village "corporation" leaders is working out and its relation with other villages is yet to be seen.

Regardless, CTEF's contribution in providing the center plays a large part in the lives of these people.