April 02, 2006
我們的康福小學(The Conford School ) by 余靜之
記得是在1998年8月，一個艷陽高照的午後，從世界日報附送的周刊上認識了燃燈助學計劃。那篇頗有深度的報導感動了我，是含淚看完它的，生活在辛福中的我，何曾知道在中國偏遠的地方，尚有著不少無法想像窮困無助的孩子，為著他們基本權「讀書」在掙扎，殘破不堪的危樓教室，貧乏混亂的周圍環境；但個個幼小年齡的他們，仍認真努力向學，真是令人心痛與難過。
以往也曾想過捐助予中國的教育盡一分心意，無奈未曾找到一個可靠的組織與管理；現在知道有燃燈助學這麼一個公正無私，嚴格審核，透明作業的基金會，值得我信賴；那時正巧母親來家小住，我們立刻寫了支票寄出，這也就是我與燃燈第一次的接觸，同時在電話上也認識了創辦人陳金浩先生。
I found out about the Enlightening Education Program by luck, while reading an article in the World Journal Weekly in August of 1998. The piece provided an in depth report on the education crisis in China and the support that EEP had provided to children who would otherwise be unable to attend school. I was appalled that such a situation could occur in this day and age. The comprehensive reporting touched me and I remember tears rolling down my face as I was reading. While I was in a privileged situation, so many others were not as blessed. Children in China had to fight for their “right” to an education. They are plagued by poor conditions and a horrible environment yet they struggle through it everyday.
In the past, I had wanted to donate to an education program in China but could not find a reliable charity. Now I found one that I could trust. My mom was living with me at the time. Both of us wrote a check and sent it off in the mail. At the same time, I telephoned one of the founders, Howard Chen, and discussed the goals and background of his organization. This was my first encounter with EEP.
在我個人連續捐款了兩年後，於2000年意會到自己的力量真是微薄，何不影響周圍的朋友呢？於是複印了數份那篇燃燈報導，分發給朋友們。真沒想到天下充滿了慈悲善心的人，不必多費口舌，第一所康福小學就捐助成功了。朋友說一年少去幾次餐館，少買幾件衣服，省下區區幾個錢，卻能讓孩子們在一個堅固明亮安全的校舍內求學，給孩子們一個機會、一個希望、這種好事，怎能不去贊助呢？
After giving regular donations for 2 years, I realized the power I had to better these children’s lives is really very little. I decided why not expand that power by influencing my friends and family. I promptly sent a copy of the World Journal article to all everyone I knew. I did not expect so many people to respond. Without much prodding on my part, we raised enough money to build the first Conford School. My friends told me their reasoning behind their donation. “If I go out to eat less during a year or buy fewer clothes, I can allow children to have a safe environment for learning, giving them a chance at life, a hope at least. Why wouldn’t I?”
憶起當年取名康福小學，也是因為一位朋友說，我們都住在康州哈德福區( Connecticut Hartford )，就取名康福小學吧！就像燃燈的名字一樣，點起一盞燈，光明就存在，但願我們康福小學的孩子們永遠健康又辛福。真是個好名兒。從2000年的康福小學，到今秋將在貴州建成的康福四小、四川的康福五小，捐款人越來越多，從我的朋友，到他們的朋友，親人、同窗 …，學校也越建越大了。
We decided to call our school “Conford” for both the clever wordplay and the auspicious meaning in Chinese. All of us are from Hartford, Connecticut so the word “Conford” is a combination of the two words. In Chinese, it sounds like the words for Health and Fortune. Just as EEP aims to light up children’s lives, we hope the kids who attend our school will always be healthy and fortunate. In the year 2000, we built our first elementary school. We are now building our fourth and fifth schools. Our network has grown from friends and family to their friends and family and beyond. The schools we have built are also bigger and better.
說起每年三月，我一一去電勸捐，有朋友說我就是等你來收錢，也有的說謝謝你給我們一個行善的機會，聽了這些言語心中充滿喜樂，原來世間有這許多善心的人，祝福他們。
I call my friends every March for donations. Some joke that I am making debt collection calls. Others thank me for giving them the opportunity to be involved in charitable activities. It warms my heart to hear these words. They are truly making a difference in these children’s lives.
年年依舊收到燃燈的助學報告，登載著義工們每年兩次上山下海、審核、選校、驗校、分發助學金、及孩子老師們等等感人事蹟的文字與圖片，我仍然是年年感動不已。而總愛在看完報告後去電致謝陳金浩、溫洳及義工們勞心勞力無私的奉獻，而溫洳總是用她那柔柔的語調回答我，其實能為需要的人做些事，是我們的福氣。
Every year when I receive my year-end prospectus from EEP, the first thing I do is to read the report cover to cover. I am always excited to see the pictures and essays on the progress of the schools, teachers and students. Then I call Howard Chen, Wen-Ruh Chen and the other volunteers who run EEP and thank them for their hard work. Wen-Ruh always answers in her soft, sweet voice, “No need to thank us. It’s really a blessing for us that we can offer something to the less fortunate.” Indeed.
完工後的康福三小 Conford No. 3
Posted by dee at April 2, 2006 08:56 PM