July Newsletter 2008

You might have noticed a distinct lack of newsletters from me for some months. This month finally everything is on my side to be able to write, but I decided to make my July Newsletter a blog so that I can include lots of photos and catch up somewhat on recent goings on...

The Weather
Well, really one must set the scene with the weather, don't you think? Here is a little snapshot that will help to summarise recent conditions:



We had about 3 weeks of that, the height of which produced these statistics:

THE BIG STORM
539 cases of flooding by 7pm
412 flights delayed by 8.30pm (14 cancelled)
89 landslides by 9pm
3657 lightening strikes between 7am and 8am
300mm average rainfall across the city between midnight and midday
145mm of rain between 8am and 9am in Kowloon (the most in 1 hour since records began in 1884)



It happened that while all this was going on we were completely unaware of a local tragedy happening only minutes up the road from us, at Tuen Mun where a landslide fell on a hut, killing a young man and his wife. Actually, I had little idea of all that was going on in the city in terms of flooding and landslides and main roads closed off for hours until I read the paper the next day.

One nice thing about all the rain was that it postponed the summer heat for a little while. Now that we are back to fine weather, the temperature has soared and air-conditioners are universally pumping away. But there's no complaints from me because the sky is crystal clear, complete with white fluffy clouds and not an ounce of 'haze' to be seen. The city looks incredibly beautiful when the sky is blue like this and the many mountains look spectacular in all their pollution-free splendor. Despite the temperature, this is definitely the best season to be in Hong Kong!


Lives Torn Asunder



I know the Earthquake in China was international news, but I think the media may have moved on to other world events now, making it possible for us to forget the people who are trying to put their lives back together after losing homes and families, even their villages, and who will be at the job of rebuilding their lives for quite some time to come. Years probably. Nearly 70,000 people were killed in the earthquake which happened on 12 May, and 15 million people have been left homeless. 15 million! That's 3/4 of the entire population of Australia. It's a number which I can't really comprehend or even begin to imagine the magnitude of the rebuilding that will be required to recover from such a disaster.

"Clean drinking water has become scarce for many as toxins from decomposing bodies seep into the water table and contaminate the water. People long for meat to be added to their daily diets of noodles, children attend school in makeshift classrooms formed in tents, and most carry the fear of aftershocks and can still hear the sounds of tumbling buildings and mountains in their sleep."



One man, a village leader, voiced his distress: “My first concern is food, my second concern is housing and my third concern is toxins.” He went on to speak for his fellow villagers, saying, “These people have lost their fields, their cattle, and their homes. Once the military is gone and the aid of food has stopped, how will they eat? How will they earn money to buy food?”



In response to the earthquake, Crossroads sent two 20 foot containers of blankets and clothing into the disaster area soon after the earthquake occurred. DHL, the international shipping corporation, even generously donated the use of one of their planes. Crossroads packed 15 tonnes of plastic sheeting, blankets, and medical supplies which was flown into the quake zone. Red Cross and Crossroads volunteers met the emergency flight and escorted the relief items on a 12 hour journey along partially collapsed roads to Qingchuan county where it was distributed to grateful crowds of displaced people. You can see more photos here.


World Refugee Day



With refugee numbers surging from the recent disasters in Sichuan and Burma, Crossroads and the UNHCR (The United Nations Refugee Agency) joined forces on 20-21st June to mark World Refugee Day with a music concert, speakers, and a Refugee Film Festival.

Over 300 people attended the concert on Friday, 20 June. Guests were ushered into a simulated refugee camp by soldiers ‘checking IDs’ at the gate. Once in the camp, many members of our multi-cultural team, dressed in traditional outfits, served ethnic food while tradespeople set in UNHCR tents sold handicrafts made by refugees and disadvantaged people throughout the world.



During the evening, guests were treated to performances by the award-winning Australian children’s choir, the Green Valley Youth Choir, and Helen Mottee with songs from her new album. A short refugee film entitled “Mapendo” was shown and the head of UNHCR for China as well as Sally Begbie, one of Crossroads’ directors, spoke on the refugee situation in the world. The evening ended with a powerful joint performance by Helen and the choir, singing a poignant song about refugee life.



This is Helen's album for sale on the night, the one that I did the graphics for when I got back from my trip. It's a very moving collection of songs and if you are interested in ordering the album, visit Helen's website: helenmottee.com.

Saturday consisted of a Refugee Film Festival where members of the public, VIPs, and many of our volunteers and our own team watched soberly as we saw stories of war and child soldiers portrayed powerfully on the screen throughout the hot day. Discussions followed each film in which moviegoers asked questions, voiced opinions, and learned more about the refugee struggles and challenges throughout the world and what they can do to help.





This the rather large tent that Crossroads invested in for this and future events. It took a not so small team of people a whole day to put it up - it's a serious tent!

On the Saturday we also loaded a container of goods for RICE, one of the groups I visited in Cambodia. It gave me warm fuzzies to see all that wonderful stuff going in, bit by bit despite the heat, as I imagined how they will feel at the other end when it arrives. We are sending educational materials and equipment, like textbooks, desks and chairs, as well as office equipment and many electrical appliances such as fans, cd players etc. (See my last post for more information about this group).












Back to the land of Oz
I'm moving back to Australia at the end of August! I've been struggling with my health for a while and it seems right to be finishing up my time here and to be starting a new season of fruitful labour back home, whatever that may be... time will tell. I'm sad to be leaving and very very blessed by all that I have learned and experienced here, but I am also quite excited about the move back to oz.

To see some more pictures of things that have been happening the past few months, please click here.