Update: Meeting VI

Hello all!

Sorry for the late update on what went on at Meeting VI.

Meeting VI was mainly a refocusing of the group and our mission. Kevin has come up with an executive summary that stated the purpose of the mission. We also outlined the goals of the mission itself. Currently we need to work on creating a business plan, as we want to expand our fundraising efforts to people outside of the student community.

Here is a brief look at the summary. This was mainly what we discussed that day:

I. Brief statement of problem

In 2008 the Sichuan Earthquake claimed 70,000 casualties, and left 4 million people homeless. Due to waning relief efforts, and the administrative burden on the Chinese government, there are still over 2 million homeless nearly two years later. Many of these individuals reside in Beichuan County, an area situated at the heart of the Sichuan earthquake. Beichuan County, once economically prosperous, lost 80% of its buildings and 21,000 of its residents, which is nearly two-thirds of its population. In addition to nearly all of the school facilities, the Beichuan County School system lost 1300 out of its 2900 student body. Most relief efforts have been focused around the less devastated Wenchuan County, and although the city of Beichuan itself is being reallocated by the government, thousands of people in the region still remain homeless. The Sichuan Relief Mission is dedicated to helping these forgotten victims of the earthquake.

Dengjiaxiang is a central village to which many of the surviving victims moved to. Dengjiaxiang is situated just five miles outside the Beichuan County township, and is now home to over 600 households, over 95% of which are currently homeless. Dengjiaxiang is also home to many orphaned students; nearly 100 primary students currently attend school in a portable building.

II. Goals and Objectives

The Sichuan Relief Mission aims to target these three particular issues:

1) Continue to supply need-based relief to impoverished individuals

The survivors of the Sichuan Earthquake in Beichuan face growing financial burdens. Villagers' wealth were firmly invested in farmland and property. The earthquake and the resulting landslides destroyed 80% of buildings and nearly all arable land. Families' saw life savings disappear overnight. Currently Dengjiaxiang is the home to these newly created migrants. 95% of the populous, almost 600 households, live in temporary housing, large slums composed of scrap metal shacks. Unemployment is at an all time high as the Sichuan economy as a whole struggles to recover. In past trips SRM has provided villagers with basic necessities, subject to needs at the given time. Relief packages have included cooking materials, water jugs, and toiletries.

The Sichuan area experiences harsh winters, particularly the mountainous Beichuan county, with temperatures regularly reaching -3 C (China Daily). SRM's Winter Relief Mission will provide relief packages that include materials needed to survive the harsh winter: blankets, warm clothes etc There are currently 300 targeted households that SRM plans on distributing supplies to.

2) Initiate long term solutions by rebuilding community-based infrastructure

The primary school in Dengjiaxiang currently lacks a full staff and building to house them. Through fundraising efforts in Shanghai, SRM has raised half of 20,000 USD needed to rebuild the school, providing nearly 100 students every year with a fuller education. The school is the first step in SRM's goal to switch from providing relief to rebuilding the area. In the long term, reconstruction of a school will provide a more lasting impact than temporary need-based materials. After SRM's winter mission and the construction of the school in February, we will continue to pursue community reconstruction projects, and find long term solutions for Dengjiaxiang.

3) To raise awareness for the victims of the Sichuan Earthquake in Beichuan.

The SRM film team is currently working on a full length documentary focused specifically on the Beichuan area. In this film SRM aims to demystify the Sichuan earthquake, and to raise awareness for the thousands still homeless and hungry in Beichuan county. Through the film, and photographic documentation, SRM plans to launch a post mission marketing campaign in hopes of capturing a broader audience, and ultimately receiving funding to create the desired long term solution: rebuilding of Dengjiaxiang.

Thank you to all who have supported us so far and continue to support us! We hope you understand our goal, and our determination to fulfill it.