October-November 2007

30th November 2007

"

                                                                                           Maping Village

Construction of Biogas Container

At the beginning of October in Maping, for five villagers with basics in cement work, DORS technical engineer Bai Shihai started training in the construction of biogas containers. The villagers expended a lot of effort in their study of it, whether theory or the mechanics of construction, they all listened carefully to Mr. Bai’s explanations. However, because the requirements for constructing biogas systems are demanding, at present there are just two who have a good understanding of it. The picture at right is the villager trainees listening to Mr. Bai explaining the theory of how the biogas systems work.

By the end of November, Maping village had completed four biogas systems, and of these, three had already begun to produce gas. There are also two biogas systems in Maping currently under construction.

Fuel-Efficient Stoves Project

The last newsletter mentioned that after doing surveys, DORS only planned to construct nine fuel-efficient stoves. But later when transporting the materials into the village, two households requested they be added to the group. One was a particularly poor household, so after discussion, DORS decided to support all the materials costs for this household. The person constructing stoves for this village constructed theirs for free, and his relatives worked as his assistant, so with the help of many people, this household’s stove has already been constructed. Another household, which was not at home when DORS did surveys, returned home before the materials were delivered to Maping, and requested that they be included in the projects. DORS agreed. Currently four stoves have been finished, and villagers say they will definitely make good use of time and finish the all the stoves before the contract date.

                                                                                        Shiquan Village

Income-Generation Plan

At the end of November, DORS went to Shiquan Village to survey villagers about their views on income-generation projects, hoping that we could continue implementing the integrated project for this village supported by Xiong Darun. Some villagers hope that they can be supported in planting Moyu or raising bees, they believe the future markets for these are very good, plus these don’t require expending extraordinary amounts of labor. We will support some households with good development potential first doing demonstration projects in raising Moyu and bees, and once these succeed we will expand the projects.

Plan for constructing school playground
Because China Science Institute’s National Observatory’s Professor Deng Licai has decided he wants to use his formerly collected donations on Shiquan Primary School’s facilities conditions (The classroom building has already been built), after the toilets were built and had begun to be used, Mr. Bai began measuring the school playground, and designed it according to needed conditions. According to plan we will redo the crumbling foundation, since the playground is on a raised area, and then to make it a basketball court, make the surface of the playground cement. Because gravel or cement all have to be transported from the valleys to remote Shiquan high in the mountains, materials-buying and transporting costs are very high, causing the plan to be for over 27,200 yuan.

Plan for buying grain grinder
The villagers hope DORS can support Shiquan’s processing house buying a grain grinder. Because villagers often need to process corn and buckwheat, for villagers, this machine is very important. This village’s former grain grinder was collectively bought, and the person who manages it is paid by everyone who uses it, he himself taking reponsibility for repairing it, etc. The processing fee charged must be lower than that of other villages for all of Shiquan to benefit. Neighboring villages also have some villagers that go to Shiquan’s processing house. Currently Shiquan’s grain grinder is facing retirement, so villagers very much hope that DORS will help them buy a new grain grinder. They will manage it according to the former method, allowing all of the villagers to benefit. This project’s plan has been made. The next step is to implement it.

Daying Village
The villagers haven’t moved into their new houses yet, but the demonstration biogas systems that DORS’ Mr. Bai provided technical direction for constructing can already light a fire. At the time of building that system Daying Village’s Li Yude underwent Mr. Bai’s training, and can already independently construct biogas systems. Lately under the support of the government, villagers have been constructing biogas systems and remodeling houses, so our Li Yude is overwhelmed with business.

Villagers’ bumper harvest
As fall ends and winter starts, it’s villagers’ harvesting time. Corn has gone up in price, and potatoes, butter beans, honey, etc. have started to be sold. After working hard all year villagers finally have something to show for their efforts. Their tired faces can’t hide their joy. We hope their smiles will increase and their lives will become better and better.

DORS Donations News
At the beginning of November, DORS once again received from China Science Institute’s National Observatory’s Professor Deng Licai,  Su Hongjun and 22 others, collected funds of 9300 yuan. These funds will be used together with those from China Science Institute academician Xiong Darun.

DORS News and Information
At the end of October, Yang Fangyuan participated in Sichuan Youth Volunteer Program’s graduation ceremony. She and others shared what they learned, and she would like to continue in the rural development field, so DORS hired her as publicity officer and project assistant. Her contract is currently for one year.
DORS also attended Sichuan Youth Volunteer Program’s volunteer-matching meeting, and near the beginning of December a new volunteer will be arriving in Hanyuan to work for DORS.
In October Australia Charities Aid Foundation staff visited DORS integrated project villages, and examined village schools and central primary schools in remote areas of Hanyuan. Besides education projects, they were also interested in energy and integrated projects. If DORS has the opportunity to work together with CAF, further projects will concentrate on education, energy and integrated projects.

"