Archive for 'May 2008'
China invites outside help
It’s the first time in history China accepted assistance of foreign rescue team for disaster relief. The first rescue team is from Japan. They sent 60 earthquake rescue experts into the region with disaster relief equipments. The second team will be from Taiwan, then Russia, South Korea and Singapore. China doesn’t really have good experience of handling urgent disaster relief. It’s a good decision. The decision reflects the fact that the search for survivors of earthquake is too much for China to handle. Japan and Taiwan are on the top list that you can see the Chinese government sees the disaster relief as a tactical tool to improve the current relationships with Japan and Taiwan.
Hong Kong does make big donation to Sichuan earthquake. It’s really true that Hong Kong people are very much keen on donating for any people in need regardless in the situation of natural disaster or in the poor condition of third world countries. We live in a lucky place without earthquake, tsunami and storm, so we should share our luck with less fortunate.
No commentsDonation to Sichuan earthquake
For the donation of Sichuan earthquake, please donate to the following accounts:
Sichuan is one of the poorest provinces in China. People are really in need.
The horrible earthquake scene you can see on youtube.
No commentsDonation
A charity lady asked: Would you mind to make a HKD20.00 donation to Rescue Centre For Abandoned Pets, and 20% of it will go to the donation of Sichuan earthquake.
A lady on the street answered: What? only 20% goes to the donation of Sichuan earthquake???… (then the lady turned her head to other side, and called her friend with her mobile)
I was waiting to cross the road by the traffic light. A charity lady came to me, and asked me for the donation of RCAP. She also mentioned about 20% of the donation will go to the charity account of Sichuan earthquake. I heard about RCAP, which is not a big animal lover organisation like SPCA, but is still a non profit charitable institution in Hong Kong. Many people have never heard of it, but it doesn’t mean they are not good enough. I did make my HKD20.00 donation for it without second thought. A decent cup of coffee also costs HKD20.00 or more in a decent cafe of Hong Kong, so it’s not much for a donation. Let’s say this way you can save HKD20.00 for the donation instead of having a cup of coffee. It doesn’t make your life much difference by having less coffee, but it does make lots of difference for whoever they need it. One person gives HKD20.00, ten persons make HKD200.00 and so on and on…..
Be honest, 20% of HKD20.00 is not enough for the donation of Sichuan earthquake, but for the people who want their full donation to the account of Sichuan earthquake; I am sure they will do it separately. Personally, I feel bad that the way the lady responded. If you don’t want to give any donation to RCAP, it’s fine; but it is not necessary to question people in very impolite way. I presume she is a well educated overseas born Chinese lady as she spoke fluent English on the phone. However, attitude and behaviour are somehow not directly related to the standard level of education being taken according to what psychologists have ever evidenced in certain research. I don’t want to be mean, but people are really of any kind. Observation does really help you to understand the real personality of people by their normal life activities.
Donation is not about how much you give, is about if you have your hearts into it. Volunteer job is also part of it.
No commentsWhat’s wrong with the year of Olympic?
2008 is supposed to be a good year in Chinese eyes. “8″ should bring luck and fortune, but not quite means what it is supposed to be this year. Again, natural disaster…..Coincidently, it all happened in 2008, started from the snow storm during Chinese New Year in up north China, cyclone of Myanmar, and now developed to earthquake in Sichuan. It was horrible wild fire in Southern California last year. Such natural disaster happens from place to place and from time to time.
It’s definitely not a smooth good year to China. The news of Tibet issue is just over, then the news is totally covered by the shocking scene of earthquake. It’s so sad to see people crying badly on TV. Mothers cried for their lost children. Children cried for their lost parents. Elderly parents cried for their entire families being buried under debris. People are looking for their lost family members around the collapsed buildings. Over 10,000 of people have gone missing, but over 100,000 of people are estimated to be killed in the earthquake. 60% of population had been killed in some villages. It’s so horrible when you heard those figures. However, good news has been announced just now on the news.
Rescuers announced a piece of good news Wednesday, hailing the rescue of an eight-months pregnant woman as a “miracle,” AP reported.
Hopes are still around…..It does happen. Same miracle happened in 921 earthquake of Taipei. No matter how bad it is, there must be sunlight shine through the dark cloud I always think. So…..believe in miracle, it does happen. Miracle does happen when you don’t give up your hopes.
Chinese government is in good communication with international media about this tragedy. They are more opened up to the public about the actual figure of death. It’s a good improvement.
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People Power
In A New World Youth Arts Project from “Medecins Sans Frontieres”
“MSF” in English stands for “Doctors Without Borders” It’s a non-profit, independent international medical humanitarian organisation founded by a group of French doctors in 1971. They deliver emergency aid to people affected by armed conflicts, epidemica, natural or man-made disasters, or exclusion from health care.
They are running an art project, “People power in a new world”, which allows 5,000 primary and secondary school students to create and exhibit their artworks in a public space. The participants decorated YAF tailor-made figures and at the same time learn more about Medecins Sans Frontieres. This exhibition is now running in Hong Kong. It’s amazing to see so many colourful tailor-made figures altogether. I was totally attracted by the powerful colour and the images. Many figures are in national costumes. They are from students of different countries. Some of them are against the wars carried with images of “No gun”. Some represent love and good health with no diseases.
They give away a plain tailor-made figure for every donation. I got one because I made my donation. The following is the idea of the figure creative direction. I love the meaning of it.
Looking at the map and you will find numerous lines dividing continents and nations. These boundaries involve constitution, religion and value according to human decision. Considering when you walk into the countries, you can never find the boundaries exist. No one can prevent the clouds from flowing from one place to another; and no one can stop a pollen from disseminating from one flower to another. Broaden our vision and we will find out that we all live in the same world.
Regardless of the location, MSF shares the vision to deliver medical aid to people as long as they are affected by armed conflicts, epidemics and natural or man-made disasters. MSF believes that all human beings deserve respect and dignity and should be treated as such. Everyone has the right to obtain appropriate medical treatment. MSF’s action breaks and passes through all invisible boundaries.
And this is mine….. it will be in COLOUR sooner or later…..
Tourists
I was on my way home after I finished my yoga class. A group of Korean tourists were waiting for ferry in Central. They were going to Tsim Sha Tsui. I have never seen almost hundred of Koreans being in Star Ferry. I was sitting, and waiting for the ferry. The seat I was sitting on, which is only for two persons. A Korean woman came to sit with me, but then her husband tried to squeeze in. In the end, I left the seat, and let them have it. Some of the Korean tourists did the same to others who sat on those seats. In the end, everyone left, and let them to take over all the seats. Oh well……..they are guests! 
After everyone got on the ferry, some tourists were so exciting by taking photos with various postures. Everyone tried to capture the best night view of Hong Kong within ten minutes. They ran to the left, and took few photos with different background of the night view. The ran to the right, and did the same. Can you imagine what the scene looked like with people running around on the ferry with cameras? It’s interesting by watching them. Hong Kong is still a popular place since 60s. Tourists love our place. We should feel proud of Hong Kong being a small famous city in the world.
2 commentsPaper lion
I was on my way to the yoga school, and saw this…..It’s amazing! It’s the paper made lion. I guess it’s the paper curving art. It’s very heavy I suppose. I am very curious that how long the artist took to complete it. It’s done in layer by stacking paper on top of each other. I have never seen it before. What a special day to see such great art just on the street!
Olympic Torch cheered through Hong Kong
Very peaceful with small groups of protesters holding pro-Tibet placards, the torch relay went smooth as expected. Part of it was on the dragon boat. It’s the first time that the torch being run on the dragon boat. Everyone felt excited and happy to welcome the torch. Many went to watch the torch though it was raining in the early morning.
China’s recent crackdown on Tibet inspired several of the torch relay protests in major cities such as Paris, London and San Francisco. Many Chinese were still upset about an incident in Paris in which a pro-Tibet protester tried to grab the torch from a wheelchair-bound Chinese athlete. This is the event for Olympic Games, not the event directly related to any political issues. Chinese government does express their current world position through the Olympic event but it doesn’t mean that they do deflect the human rights. This issue shouldn’t be mixed up with Olympic Games.
Anyway, the torch relay went smooth in Hong Kong. It was great! I think Macau will be the same.
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