Kevin Chiu said, “Throughout the past four years, we are walking hand in hand with the quake-affected to help restore their normal lives. I am delighted to see that the rehabilitation works carried out by World Vision are nearly completed. Students were back to schools; the affected-families have moved into new houses. World Vision will continue its efforts in carrying out the remaining rehabilitation works. We hope the quake-affected would leave the past behind and turn a new page.”

The following are the programme highlights of World Vision's work in Sichuan:

1. School Reconstruction

• - World Vision has built 76 school buildings and dormitories that meet the national seismic standards in the four most-affected areas of Sichuan, Shaanxi, Gansu and Ningxia. The construction of the first 67 school buildings will be completed and in use by the end of this May, benefiting nearly 40,000 students

2. Childcare

• Set up 22 Child-Friendly Spaces to provide a safe and systematic environment for children, to help ease their emotional distress
• Organised 116 different activities, including sports competitions, art activities and various games for children, helping nearly 25,000 children to have fun and smile again
• Organised 36 Disaster Risk Reduction and preparation activities such as games, simulated exercises and seminars, to help children protect themselves when disaster strikes and to strengthen the long-term resilience of communities facing adversity
• Distributed over 81,000 teaching aids and 100,000 sport sets to schools

3. Housing

• Distributed housing reconstruction subsidies to 9,000 households to rebuild their homes, and benefited more than 36,000 people

4. Healthcare

• Constructed 3 clinics in Sichuan, 2 already in use and have benefited 24,000 people
• Provided rehabilitation facilities for patients and training for local health workers and medical staff, and carried out renovation work to create a barrier-free environment. The project was extended to Shaanxi and Gansu and has already benefited over 8,200 people
• Installed mobile clinics that helped transmit medical images to provincial hospital via digital network for diagnosis advice, serving some 1,700 people

5. Infrastructure & Livelihood

• Supported the construction of 23 new roads, 8 water projects, and carried out rehabilitation development projects in communities, benefiting over 73,000 people

For enquiries of Sichuan's rehabilitation works, please call the World Vision Hotline 2394 2394 or email hotline@worldvision.org.hk. For further update, please visit World Vision at www.worldvision.org.hk.

Kevin Chiu, Chief Executive Officer of World Vision Hong Kong, visits a primary school in Guangyuan, Chaotian District; where the students are so glad to study in the new building.

The construction of a new building for the primary school in Guangyuan, Chaotian District, is completed. With a total of 1,400 square feet, it includes classrooms and student dormitories, which can accommodate 120 students. Special education is also available now.

The construction of new housing for villagers in Qima Township in Qingchuan County, Guangyuan City, is completed. Villagers can now resume their normal routine.

Athlete Tian Fu Gang, suffered from lower limb paralysis because of the earthquake, has received electric tricycles and other equipment to help his rifle shooting practice provided by World Vision and a local counterpart. Kevin Chiu, Chief Executive Officer of World Vision Hong Kong, is delighted to learn that Tian has a dream of achieving an Olympic gold medal.

Through different workshops in this year, campers had a chance to live a life as African tribes to experience poverty and livelihood. They could understand the real meaning of famine and the needs and challenges of the poor children. At the end of the programme, all campers joined together to complete a scene of large cornfield by holding up cards printed with corn, representing their blessing of hope for hungry-stricken children.

Mr. Kevin Chiu, Chief Executive Officer, World Vision Hong Kong, said, “We are encouraged by the passion and unceasing enthusiasm of the campers, even they have fasted for over 20 hours. I hope that the experience about hungry and poverty they gained in the event will become their driving force to continue their compassionate towards the needy in the future.”

Celebrities Sylvia Chang, Prof. Tony Mok Shu Kam and Wong Tse Wah shared their child sponsorship experience. Sylvia Chang is a lifelong volunteer of World Vision with supporting to Child Sponsorship for almost 20 years. She is so happy to witness the growth and development of her 8 sponsored children. Professor Tony Mok Shu Kam joined World Vision to visit the impoverished families in Burundi and Kenya of Africa last year, where he met his sponsored daughter for the first time. The trip had a profound impact on him. Wong Tse Wah has longed to sponsor children for many years and finally became a ‘father’ of 5 children last year. His sponsored children are living in Ethiopia, India, Cambodia, Bangladesh and Mongolia. The three celebrities have invited the campers to join Child Sponsorship since many poverty-stricken children are in dire need for help.

Some 5,000 famine campers complete a scene of large cornfield, representing their blessing for famine-stricken children.

(from left to right) Sylvia Chang, Wong Tse Wah and Prof. Tony Mok Shu Kam share with campers their joy as child sponsors.

A total of 90 employees of Logwin Air & Ocean Hong Kong Ltd participate in the 8-hour famine.

The event has sparked dedication among campers over the years. One example is the famine father-son duo, Mr. Sin Kai Cheong and his 12-year-old son Sin Pok, who have taken part in the event for 6 consecutive years. This is the 7th time for the duo to attend the 30-Hour Famine. Mr. Sin hopes that his son Sin Pok can experience the plight of the hungry in developing countries and learn to appreciate food and help people in need.

Another devotee is the youngest camper Leung Tse Ho who aged 3 but has been participating in the event for 3 years. His parents Leung Wing Wah and Chan Yee have been joining the event for many years. They both hope that Tze Ho can develop a spirit of helping others during early childhood.

The 63-year-old Mr. Chow Chun Ka, a veteran of the 30-Hour Famine, is the eldest camper of this year. He has been actively participating in voluntary services even since he retired a year ago. He hopes that his effort can help more hungry children. Reflecting on his experience, he also hopes that the next generations learn how to cherish things and to share with those in need.

Officiating at the opening ceremony, Mr. Edward Yau Tang-wah, JP, Secretary for the Environment of HKSAR Government, Guest of Honour for the opening ceremony, commended the participants, “All of you are role models for Hong Kong’s young people as you are willing to fast 30 hours to experience the lives of impoverished people and help the people in need through fundraising. I am so proud of you for supporting the event. I also hope that all of you can live out global citizenship to love our planet and appreciate food.”

Six Legislative Councillors, namely Hon Alan Leong Kah-kit, Hon Tanya Chan Suk-chong, Hon Ronny Tong Ka-wah, Hon Frederick Fung Kin-kee, Hon Nelson Wong Sing-chi, and Hon James To Kun-sun reported on the plight of the hunger in Africa, encouraging the participant’s determination to help the hungry children. Mr. Edward Yau Tang-wah collaborated with other guests to carry a food bag each and presented the picture of a corn plant to the Africans, symbolising the action needed for the hungry children and families of Africa. The legislative councillors also experienced poverty personally through activities such as holding a bucket with head and water trucking.

Dr. Rosanna Wong, Board Chair of World Vision Hong Kong said in her speech, “The worst drought in 60 years hit the Horn of Africa last year. Over 1,300 people were in urgent need of food aid. While the famine conditions in Somalia have just been ended in February, vulnerable communities in West Africa are at risk of food crisis. 30-Hour Famine provides a chance for campers to experience the lives of impoverished people, and it hopes that the action to help the hungry-stricken children will be continued.”

No matter you have signed up for this year’s famine activities or not, you are encouraged to skip a meal or take a light meal in April. Together with campers of 30-Hour Famine, let us share our love with the poor by fasting, through which you can help feed many hungry children in desperate need of help. No application is required.

Date:	15 April (Sunday) or a day in April
Target:	Over 900 million of the world’s people
Steps to act:	Skip a meal or take a light meal. Donations received will be used to help World Vision to provide food for the hungry in Africa
Donation methods:	Make a cash donation of a minimum of HK$100 at any 7-Eleven store in Hong Kong From now on to 30 April, make a cash donation at any designated JUSCO Donation online:www.worldvision.org.hk
Enquires on ‘Skip-a-meal’	World Vision Hotline: 2394 2394 or website:www.worldvision.org.hk/eng/sam

The 30-Hour Famine celebrates its 29th anniversary this year since it was first organised in 1984 in Hong Kong. It has attracted more than 80,000 campers and raised HK$280 million over the years.

World Vision Hong Kong would like to extend special thanks to the title sponsor Agile and major sponsors HKC and Canon for supporting the 30-Hour Famine, and also LCSD for sponsoring the venue.

5,500 campers pledge themselves to a 30-hour or 8-hour fast to raise funds to help hungry children in Africa. (from left to right) Mr. Kevin Chiu, Chief Executive Officer of World Vision Hong Kong, Dr. Rosanna Wong, Board Chair of World Vision Hong Kong, Mr. Edward Yau Tang-wah, JP, Secretary for the Environment of HKSAR, Mr. Stephen Chan, Chief Executive Officer, Commercial Radio and Sylvia Chang, lifelong volunteer of World Vision, are so glad to see the passion and unceasing enthusiasm of the campers.

Guest of Honour, Mr. Edward Yau Tang-wah, boosts the morale of the campers of 30-Hour Famine.

Legislative councillors experience poverty through activities such as holding a bucket with head and water trucking.

Mr. Leung Wing Wah, the father of the youngest camper Leung Tze Ho, hopes to develop his son with a spirit of helping others during early childhood.

The oldest camper Mr. Chow Chun Ka (1st from right), the famine father-son duo, Mr. Sin Kai Cheong and his son Sin Pok (3rd and 2nd from left back row), hope that more public awareness to people in need.

Dan Kelly, Partnership Leader, World Vision’s Humanitarian and Emergency Affairs, has described the situation as serious and deteriorating. “The situation in Mali and Niger is very critical with many families only able to feed their children once a day. Parents wonder if their children will be able to survive the hunger season over the coming months. In view of the alarming situation, it is time to scale up our assistance to a new level”, he said.

Hungry children are more vulnerable to malnutrition and disease, and they have to walk long distance to find water — making them vulnerable to attacks by animals. In addition, these children are more likely to drop out of school. They find it hard to concentrate on lessons; girls seek domestic work in the cities to support their families. Schooling is disrupted when families leave hard-hit areas in search of food and opportunities elsewhere.

World Vision targets to raise US$60m globally to implement short and mid-to long term programmes for more than 1 million people in five countries (Niger, Mauritania, Mali, Chad, and Senegal ) in what is the world’s poorest region. The response programmes include replenishing village granary banks, cash for work initiatives, supporting the feeding of acutely malnourished children, vegetable gardening and borehole drilling, efforts targeting the health of under fives and supporting livelihoods.

More action is needed to prevent this food shortage from becoming a famine. The consequences of inaction are likely to be an extended period of hunger and malnutrition, the lack of seeds for the next harvest, mass migration from rural to urban areas, massive loss of livestock, exorbitant food prices, and a diminished ability of affected populations to feed themselves in the future. And, of course, the most dire consequence of extended drought and famine is the loss of life.

Donations can be made through:

1. Direct Bank-in
   HSBC: 018-377077-003
   Bank of China: 012-883-0-002136-6
2. Crossed cheque payable to “WORLD VISION HONG KONG” Please send bank-in slip or crossed cheque together with your personal particulars to Freepost No. 69, World Vision Hong Kong (free postage) and mark “Africa Hunger Appeal" on the envelope. Donations are tax-deductible with official receipts.
3. Cash donations of HK$100 to $5,000 can also be made at any 7-Eleven store in Hong Kong.

For enquiries on the relief work of “Africa Hunger Appeal”, please call the World Vision Hotline 2394 2394 or email hotline@worldvision.org.hk. Public may also browse the World Vision’s website at www.worldvision.org.hk for further updates.

Hungry children are more vulnerable to malnutrition and disease.

Over 10 million people in West Africa are in dire need of food assistance.

Mr. Kevin Chiu, the Chief Executive Officer of World Vision Hong Kong, visited Miyagi, Iwate and Niigata prefectures to learn more about the current situation there. He said, “People in the disaster-stricken areas have resumed living a normal life. Students have been back to schools. However, the fishery industry in the coastal towns of Kesennuma and Minami-Sanriku in Miyagi Prefecture is operating at only 10 percent of their normal capacity. World Vision is helping the local fishermen to recover livelihood by providing freezer warehouse, new boats and seaweed cultivation equipment to the fishery cooperatives. Moreover, psychological support is important for over 2,000 evacuees from Fukushima settled in Kashiwazaki Municipality of Niigate Prefecture, as they are facing different challenges of rebuilding their lives. We arrange home visits and community gatherings to help them to get through the difficulties. World Vision will continue to work closely with the Japanese government and other local partners to help the affected families to live a better life.”

The World Bank estimated that the catastrophic earthquake and tsunami in Japan is the most expensive natural disaster in world history. Need for assistance to recovery and rehabilitation is overwhelming. The following are the highlights of World Vision’s relief and rehabilitation work:

Emergency Phase (March - June 2011)

• Provided emergency relief items such as blankets, clothing, hygiene kits, food and water
• Implemented school-feeding programmes reaching more than 1,000 students each day
• Established seven Child-Friendly Spaces (CFS) to provide basic psychosocial support
• Provided six community kitchens at evacuation centres
• Distributed electrical appliances like washing machines, rice cookers, refrigerators and vacuums for shared use at evacuation centres

Recovery and Rehabilitation Phase (July 2011 – December 2012)

Child Development & Protection

• School bus services provided from July to September 2011
• 50 primary & secondary schools received uniforms, learning materials and equipment
• Continuation of CFS, including after-school and summer holiday activities
• In collaboration with local company, provided school meals for primary and secondary schools

Community Development – Caring for the Affected

• Created communal meeting areas and arranged social activities for the affected
• Funded publication of booklets providing tips on living in temporary shelters or communities
• Visited the affected communities to show care and support and for relationship building

Child-focused Disaster Preparedness

• Provided disaster preparedness and risk reduction materials for primary and secondary schools
• Arranged installation of solar panels and wells at schools which will serve as evacuation centres in future emergencies

Livelihood Recovery - Fishing Industry

• Provided temporary offices and equipment to fishery associations
• Funded the reconstruction of freezer warehouse
• Provided boats and seaweed cultivation equipment to the cooperatives

Community Development – Community Kitchens

• Provided cooking facilities and equipment to community kitchens at evacuation centres

From January 2013 to March 2014, World Vision will continue to carry out rehabilitation work as well as partnering with Japanese non-profit organisations to organise activities to serve the communities in Myagi, Iwate and Niigata.

With donors’ generous support, World Vision is able to carry out various rehabilitation projects in Japan. At the same time, many children around the world are still living in disastrous conditions. They desperately need help to meet their basic needs. Due to poverty, these disadvantaged children are in constant hunger; barely make it through each day. Please help the hungry children in Africa. Donations can be made through:

1. Crossed cheque makes payable to “WORLD VISION HONG KONG”. Please send bank-in slip or crossed cheque together with your personal particulars to Freepost No. 69, World Vision Hong Kong (free postage) and mark “Africa Hunger Relief" on the envelope. Donations are tax-deductible with official receipts.
2. Direct Bank-in:
   HSBC 018-377077-003
   Bank of China (Hong Kong) 012-883-0-002136-6

For enquiries on Japan Earthquake Relief or Africa Hunger Relief, please contact World Vision Hotline 2394 2394 or browse the website at www.worldvision.org.hk for further updates.

Kevin Chiu, Chief Executive Officer of World Vision Hong Kong is glad to see the fishermen in Minami-Sanriku in Miyagi Prefecture who have resumed seaweed cultivation.

World Vision funds the fishery cooperatives to buy new boats, fishing and seaweed cultivation equipment.

Kevin Chiu, Chief Executive Officer of World Vision Hong Kong hopes the activities in Child Friendly Spaces help relieve emotional distress of the quake-affected children.

Kevin Chiu, Chief Executive Officer of World Vision Hong Kong visits Ms. Takahashi (centre) and Ms. Kanamori (right) who are evacuees from Fukushima settled in Kashiwazaki Municipality of Niigate Prefecture. They hope to return to Niigate and meet their families soon.