CRIPPLING SNOW IN CHINA

As most of you already know, China has been crippled by a series of freak snow storms. The damage so far has been estimated to be at $7.5 billion.

The hardest hit area is the Hunan province, and in particular -

the city of Chenzhou, where 1.2 million have been without electricity for eight days.

Chenzhou is where our daughter's orphanage is located. According to Half the Sky

Chenzhou CWI, Hunan – still facing the most difficulties of the orphanages we’ve reached. They’ve had no electricity or running water for 8 days and there is almost no possibility that power will be restored before New Year’s Eve (the 6th of February.) Because of the blackout, the hospital is closed. The banks are closed so staff is contributing personal funds to buy food, coal and diapers. Prices are skyrocketing as all roads to Chenzhou remain impassable. Families in Chenzhou are now rationed and can only buy 4 packages of noodles per family. The Civil Affairs Bureau delivered 3 sacks of rice to the institution. They are using candles but the cost per candle has gone from 20 cents to 5 yuan (70 cents) per candle. They are using coal to keep warm but the price of coal is skyrocketing.

Half the Sky is a non-profit organization that strives to ensure that every one of China's orphans has a caring adult in her life. They have set up an emergency fund to help those affected by the snow storms. Please give if you can. If you can't give, please spread the word. Thank you.