Sichuan Earthquake Assistance
Proposal for distributing aid in areas effected by the Wenchuan earthquake. May 2008.
Many of you will have seen the devastation caused by the terrible earthquake that struck the Wenchuan and Beichuan on the afternoon of Monday the 12th of May.
The Charles Foundation for Children in Need is an Australian registered Charitable Trust, founded to assist widows, orphans and severely disadvantaged children in remote mountainous regions of Sichuan, China.
For the past seven years the Foundation has worked in close partnership with government department in the Liangshan Yizu autonomous prefecture of Sichuan.
During this time we have completed construction of ten village schools and are assisting many widows, orphans and disadvantaged children. We also offer scholarships to girls from remote mountain villages, enabling them to go to middle school and university.
Having built strong relationships of co-operation and trust with local governments, we are in the position to help at grass roots level those effected by the earthquake.
How we propose to help
Sympathy is very high following a tragedy such as a major earthquake, with many people offering help. Most donations will go to the large NGO's, especially the Red Cross, and government bodies who are the first on the scene and vital to the survival of many victims.
Sometimes however, donations can disappear into a black hole of bureaucracy and held in bank vaults for months or years, while decisions are made. Later, when the initial search and rescue operations are completed and the clearing up of the debris is over, communities in the effected area will begin to rebuild their lives.
This is where the Foundation can be of assistance
Because we are small we can make decisions quickly and carry them through efficiently. With all funds donated to the earthquake appeal being available for immediate use we can take effective action.
With our work in the Liangshan, we identify a village that is usually in a remote location and economically disadvantaged. There is often no school, or if there is one it is a crumbling, rammed earth structure in danger of collapse.
First we build a new school. Then we identify widows, orphans and disadvantaged children.
Taking a holistic approach towards the whole community, we look at ways which will enable women to care for their children within the community, by giving them the means to earn an income through our 'Chickens and Pigs' programme.
This approach has been very successful and I would like the Foundation to follow this procedure in the earthquake area.
To begin with we will identify one village and help the whole community. Work will include:
- Ensure an adequate and clean water supply.
- Construct a new village primary school, for grades 1-6 and kindergarten class.
- Supply school books and classroom equipment.
- Desks, chairs, blackboards etc.
- Help repair damaged homes of widows
- Introduce Chickens and pigs programme if required
- Assist children to go to school
- Fund medical checks for children
- Supply clothing and food for children and widows
- Provide 'Grannie Starter Kits' to Grandmothers or Grandfathers who have sole care of orphaned grandchildren
- Our resources are limited so we will focus on one village at a time, funds permitting.
- All expenditure of donated funds will be open and transparent.
Thank you for your kindness and support. Together we can make a difference!
Jo Charles
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