Maybe with the train journey........which was far more comfortable than we expected.
We were travelling just after the National Holiday so it was quiet!
( we were not so lucky on the next few journeys...but that's another story :-)
The Boss pulled the magic white cups out his bag & made coffee!!!!!
With the melt in the mouth yellow bread/cake?
Met at the station by the Women's Association who made it their main aim to look after us in every detail. They were very appreciative of the help for the girls.
Rongshui was the first place we have been on all our adventures where the food was "VERY" interesting?
This was OK.........it got much more interesting later........
After a lovely lunch at our Hotel, we headed out to the first school,
learning about Rongshui along the way........
"Rongshui, located in the northern mountainous area of Guangxi, is the only Rongshui Miao Autonomous County in Guangxi. It has over 20 villages and 205 communities. It is a typical mountainous area divided by fields, rivers and mountains. It has a population of 506 000 with 441000 in the rural areas. Of these, some 224 000 are desperately poor rural people. For historical and natural reasons, the economy is less developed here. It is a key area for the Chinese government to develop initiatives for poverty alleviation and development. A series of activities have been carried out to support poor people. New water projects, new roads built, thatched cottages were renovated, and labour training given to rural peoples."
Everywhere there are Posters indicating how much the Government is helping the poor here......
......and perhaps for this reason,
this is one of the areas where we have many Chinese sponsors from wealthier areas
who wish to help the girls at school here.
who wish to help the girls at school here.
It was a very quiet and sombre visit to this school, very unlike the other places we are used to visiting where it is loud, excited and happy.
The girls came in quietly, signed their forms for payment, completed their forms for sponsors, and lined up to have their photos taken
However when we got downstairs to take the group photos and give out the gifts we had arranged from sponsors, they began to come to life, and the precious spirits began to shine!
Two of our Hope4China girls who lived another 4 hours away in the remote mountains had been brought specially to meet us by their teacher.
It was their first time down into the city!
Great job for the teacher :-)
Great job for the teacher :-)
The girls with Panda cards made by Touch Primary School in Dunfermline
Another precious Hope4China girl was so excited to meet us and hear about her sponsor, and she soon was having lots of fun with my crazy girls.
However when it came time for her to speak to her sponsor on video, she was so emotional.
These girls struggle so much, and tears are never far from the surface.
Goodbyes are hard.........
Goodbyes are hard.........
Next we were off to meet the High School Students, most of whom have been sponsored by Chinese.
However, recently due to the rising costs, many Chinese have been unable to continue and we now have several girls here needing sponsors!
Heartbreaking....
but not happy to share on a Blog!
You can contact us if you would like more details and to help any of the girls here still needing sponsors
linda@hope4china.com
and the 2 girls from the remote area who were staying with us at the Hotel ,along with their teacher.
The other girl here was a student from Guandong who was volunteering in Rongshui.
where there is lots of dancing , fun and great experiences for all.
After a very exhausting but worthwhile day, it was time for bed!
Next morning at Breakfast we met up with our Hope4China girls who had enjoyed a special time at the Hotel and had spent the evening with their teacher drawing some pics for their sponsors!!!!
The we were off up into the mountains........and that is tomorrow's story..........
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