We haven’t emailed a Share Global newsletter out for sometime now, but it’s not through want of trying. I had asked the team that came to China last May, to write their experiences. Before they came to China in May, I had told them, “This is going to be a life changing experience” and in reality it has been, with each person experiencing personal growth.
Sanjay arrives in Yiwu on the 14th Oct’ and for the past year, it has been a huge journey for him. Sanjay will start a business in Yiwu, to support the ongoing work of Share Global. So Sanjay will work fulltime for Share Global from now on and please continue to support him.
In the month before I left to come to China, many supported me, in applying to “the Kiwanis Foundation” for funding to dig wells in rural schools in Anhui Province. The application for this funding ended on the 30th Sept, so we were under a little pressure to have this in on time. However, I believe it will be worth the effort, as we’ve received the support of the Kiwanis South Pacific Board, also the support of the incoming World President for Kiwanis, who happens to be on the “Foundation” that disperses the funds. To be honest, I believe it was one of those “special moments” in the way we had the opportunity to apply for this funding. If we are successful, then we have the funding to dig as many as 30 wells in rural schools, bring clean water to children, who don’t have it at present. This is something that the “Share Global Board” made a priority at a meeting in August.
At the same meeting the SG Board agreed that I should go ahead and negotiate with the Susong County Government, to take over the running of the State-run-Orphanage in Susong. On our last trip to Susong, the Government had given Share Global, the opportunity to take over many of the Government-run-institutions and the Orphanage was one of those. Once again, we are stepping out in “trust” as we don’t have the ongoing funds to take on this project. For me the SG Board has been very courageous in allowing me to negotiate and I respect the Boards commitment the vision of Share Global.
In ending, I want to ask “special” blessing on each of you, for supporting the work of Share Global. As you all know, I’m just one of a large team, that has come together to serve in this way.
Blessings, Brett
P.S. I’ve just learned that Sanjay has had a mild heart-attack and has returned home from hospital today, after spending 5 days there. Please be “thinking of him” for complete healing and knowledge in future planning, as Sanjay had planned to be in China within 11 days.
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REFLECTIONS FROM DAVE AND BARB.
China for us was an opportunity to taste the culture that dominates much thinking around a global future.
We found a people who have grown up in tough times and therefore are very self reliant, content with very little and willing to relate to us. We can learn so much from them so we are sure there is a mutual sharing that will benefit us all.
We experienced a very polite and cautious group of Government officials
We found the Susong province officials willing to take risks with us, by showing us selected people care scenarios. You have to admire their progress in the face of considerable needs. Here again, we needed to grasp how much a blessing even basic provisions are , standards of buildings that I would find hard to exist in, but for others, life as usual. Dirt floor to concrete is just one example of a leap in provision for them but a vast short fall for us when you consider that the floors are not protected from the dampness of the earth by a moisture barrier.
Overall we had a unique experience that will remain a treasure with us.
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THOUGHTS FROM MICHAEL
It was indeed a privilege to travel into China with the Share Global Team during May/June this year. To see the Gao Shan Home for the Elderly meeting such an obvious need was a very rewarding experience, especially considering the input the local government officials had made. Meeting the grandmother of two of the sponsored orphaned children was an emotional time and it was encouraging to give some small gifts personally that strengthened the relationships between the recipients and Share Global.
China is such a vast country and we only experienced two of the provinces but the impression gained was one of a people who are generally very industrious and hard working. They are also a people who are keen to ask westerners about our culture and beliefs which gives us opportunities to share our faith. Travelling from the country side of the Anhui Province with its obvious poverty through to the new affluence and material wealth of Shanghai showed the potential that there is this fascinating country.
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KEVIN’S IMPRESSIONS OF CHINA
As a kiwi visiting a foreign country, I didn’t know how I would react to a different culture. Although the impact was not as overwhelming as I had anticipated, there was the odd moment or two.
Monday was the start of our journey to various cities, townships and provinces. Travelling through such a vast country, where ever you look agriculture abounds, in every available space even on the hillsides. We reach Wuwei and travel by bus to visit the Share Global Home for the Elderly in Gao Shan. To see this for myself, the impact of photo versus reality, was very emotional. The residents all seem contented with what they have. One man nicknamed “One Tooth” took us to see where he had been living. I could not imagine how anyone could survive living in such conditions. It resembled a make-shift hut. Personally I was stunned.
We also had a brief opportunity to visit the grandmother of two orphan boys sponsored by Share Global. We visited a government run Home for the Elderly and disabled in a remote area which appeared to be well run with support from local residents and possibly family members. Then later we visited a remote village where a number of elderly/ poor people live. It was very upsetting to see the conditions they live in, most having just dirt floors.
Brett had arranged a day out for all of our group with some Korean Business men. The destination was a mountain named San Qing Shan, about 5,300 feet high. What an awesome experience we had even though it rained all day. Our 3 weeks in China had passed so quickly. Our trip to the airport by subway train and then the Maglev train which travelled at over 300 kph that day. Amazing to experience that speed.
Here is a photo of the May ‘09 “Share Global Team” Dave & Barb Eves Michael Christensen, Kevin Stout, Endy from Nigeria, Michael from Malaysia, Robert, Andrew, Joshua, Jacob from China and me (Brett). Because we had so many in the team, we had to hire a bus for part of the journey and include some Government Officials.