CHINA

In a remote village in Yunan Province, elementary school children live at the school because their homes are too far away to commute. Living conditions at the school were not conducive to learning-- a dormitory with a collapsing roof and hole-in-the-ground outdoor toilets just steps from the "kitchen."

FIRST PROJECT:
Two Small Fishes had a small part in building a dormitory for the students. Buzz took a group of University students from the U.S. to the school in 2008, and they stayed in the new dorm. The Chinese children were amazed that these visitors would come to see them, and they gave a warm welcome. They even slaughtered a pig for the occasion. It was eye opening for the University students who, of course, became quite attached to the children. Everyone, including the teachers, had tearful goodbyes.

SECOND PROJECT:
Library shelves for the school's first library were built and books were purchased. These upgrades are relatively small investments in dollars, but big investments in young lives. How will these children remember the American visitors? How do the people in power react to the fact that foreign strangers are willing to fix this remote school building?  We hope it spurs them to action, and encourages them to invest in their own schools.

CURRENT PROJECT:
The hole-in-the-ground toilets are being modernized for safety and health purposes. When the project is completed, we will publish a photo.

CHINA

JIAN SHUI ORPHANAGE
The orphanage in Jian Shui, Yunan Province, was in dire need of reconstruction of a dorm for babies and children with special needs. Before reconstruction, the building was dismal, dirty, and unsafe. After reconstruction, it was clean and new and a safe place for babies to wait for adoptive families. Many individuals and organizations made this project a reality.

We spent some time in Jian Shui and were able to see for ourselves what a difference the modest funds from Two Small Fishes made. Our daughter Kelly and her husband Jim traveled with us to China. We were able to spend time loving the babies and playing with the older children. (Jim read a book to them in Chinese.) It would be impossible not to LOVE these precious children.

CHINA

GEIJU ORPHANAGE
Just north of the Vietnam border, the orphanage in Geiju, Yunan Province, needed funds to build a furnished classroom. The classroom is used to train orphanage employees in the care of children and the importance of following sterile procedures to reduce illness.

While we were staying in Geiju, Patty spoke to the employees about the great potential of children even if they have physical challenges. She shared the story of her college roommate who was born with only one hand and who, despite her challenge, became a registered nurse. This story was meaningful to them because there was a baby boy named Wu Hui in the orphanage who was born with only one hand. In a one-child-per-family society it is difficult, of course, but common for families to give their babies to the orphanage if the babies are believed to have "defects." Kelly spoke about choosing the correct husband in order to achieve good teamwork within the family. (All the employees are young women.)

ETHIOPIA

New Life Ministries, a street people rehabilitation program in Addis Ababa, receives funds periodically. This organization provides housing for homeless men and women and trains them in marketable skills that allow them to earn an income and become productive members of their communities.

We spent some time in Addis Ababa in 1999 and saw firsthand the deteriorating effects of unemployment and hunger on families and on the larger social structure. Buzz visited the rehabilitation project personally and learned that the program yields good results. People who would have spent their days involved in illegal or immoral behaviors or the default occupation of begging are able to restart their lives and take pride in their work.

BULGARIA

Star of Hope Foundation, a home for women with mental health needs, requested assistance when they faced a shortage of heating, beds, warm clothes, and shoes.