Report_2005

The old classrooms, broken down bathrooms next to the new building reminded me of the aboriginal people of Taiwan long ago. But even their conditions were better than what I was seeing here. I am deeply moved by how selfless EEP is to indiscriminately support these kids, and I have developed a great admiration for the organization.
On December 23rd, we visited LiBo, Daqi kong, and Xiaoqikong, three very beautiful tourist spots. After dinner, we visited Li-Bo High School and spoke with over ten girls who were all outstanding students in the school. When I saw how these girls had been benefited by EEP, it reminded me of the saying that teaching one to fish is more important than just giving fish. I hope that all of these kids will continue to give hope for their families at home.
On the morning of the 24th, we arrived in Rongjiang City to inspect Lin-Zen Primary School in the village of Chejiang and Good Harvest Primary School in Dingwei in the afternoon. The next morning, we took an hour and a half hike up a mountain to inspect Tzehui Eighth School in Guzou. The area is about 700 feet above sea level and residents needed to carry drinking water from the foot of the mountain daily. It was very unusual to see that the strenuous job was done only by women. One could tell how difficult it was.
In the afternoon, we visited the Ban Yang Trees, a famous tourist attraction. It is said that in ancient times, the Ban Yang River often flooded, taking many lives and property from its residents. One day, a lady came to the town and taught them how to plant Ban Yang trees to prevent flooding. Several hundred years later, the trees that were planted have become a renowned tourist spot. To show their gratitude, the residents built a marble slate and hold annual ceremonies to honor the lady who saved their city. At every primary school we visited, I’d take the opportunity to look inside the classrooms. As a result, I’ve found that broken desks and chairs that are in desperate need of replacement, and that some textbooks have been so badly torn that I’m surprised they can still be of use. Unable to offer them immediate help, I would only advise them to cherish what they have.
I learned much from the visit to the indigenous village in Gui-zou, including that the houses in the small town are all built from the local pine trees. The most amazing is that the architecture does not require any nails or metal wire, yet the buildings remain incredibly sturdy. Most houses have two stories. The ground floor is used as a barn for animals, while the second floor is for residence and storage. This reminded me of the aboriginal people of Taiwan in Lan Island. I also learned that a few people live away from the village in remote areas where transportation is unavailable. Because of this, the government is beginning its efforts to reform land distribution.
The area is occupied mainly by Sui, Yeo, Meo, and Tung people. The rice fields only generate harvests once a year and due to the poor conditions of the land, one hectare only weighs 2000 to 3000 catties. With such a low output, life is hard. Since they cannot afford fertilizer, the villagers are forced to use green vegetables as a natural fertilizer. As a result, a sea of green is often seen in the village. Hay is collected faily for the animals, which once more reminded me of Taiwan thirty years ago. Before I retired, I worked at the Nantou County Conservation of Water and Soil Bureau. I used to assign farmers and other workers to various tasks that would help conserve water and soil. The sight of farming brought back old memories. I also noticed that Guizhou has very little rainfall. But surprisingly, the dry climate and lack of irrigation don’t hurt the harvest at all. The crops actually grow usually well. In addition, I’ve heard that several of the local young adults travel to big cities such as Shanghai, Fujian, and Canton to work for extra money once the harvest is over and wouldn’t return until the following spring for plowing season. As a result, only the elderly, women, and children are home during the fall and winter. I think that if the local government can strengthen their agriculture, they will be able to use the natural conditions to generate production of higher value. This may consequently improve residents’ lives, and help to avoid the burden of having people leave their families for long periods of time.
This trip to China left me with the impression of the beautiful scenery, and the local customs and hospitality that I was shown will be forever in my heart. The economic developments in Taiwan in the past years have nearly made us forget how harsh lives used to be. Seeing these villagers struggling to survive reminds us that we should appreciate wealth we currently enjoy and try to give support whenever we can. Finally, I want to express my gratitude toward EEP for giving me a chance to experience the truth, and for everything they have done.