March 1999
31st March 1999
This is the first DORS Newsletter of 1999. Hanyuan County is now officially open to foreigners, previously special permission and an Alien's Travel Permit was required to stay in the county.
Picture. Richard and Rose are presented with a banner by Mr. Luo of Huangmu Township Government, celebrating the completion of Wansheng Drinking Water Supply Project.
Hydro-Power Project in Banyang Completed!
During December and January, the 6 households in Banyang Village Hamlet 4 worked hard to complete the final stage of their hydro-power project. A 42m pipe was connected from the tank, down the hillside, creating the necessary 'drop' for the water to power the small generator. After trial and error and a lot of hard work, carrying materials up the steep 2 hour climb into the village, DORS can report that the villagers now have electricity to light their homes in the evenings.
School Fees
For the fifth semester since beginning our work here in Hanyuan, DORS was able to continue educational support in our project villages, thanks to donations from Misereor and various individuals. This spring semester we were able to pay school fees for 122 children from the poorest families
Women's Rural Credit
Banyang Hamlet 1 In December, as part of the expansion of DORS Rural Credit Scheme, we loaned to 11 women in Banyang hamlet 1. The women each took loans of 1,000 RMB. This now means that 172 women have taken out loans as part of the scheme in Banyang Village.
Loan Collection in Banyang Village The first six monthly repayments for hamlets 3, 4 & 5 were collected in December. Of the forty six women who loaned in June 98, only one was unable to repay.
