A Legend Comes To Visit

For six years, a legendary figure has existed in the minds of Tibetan students in Qinghai. He and his friends have changed the lives of many residents high on the Tibetan Plateau. No longer does the future of their children look bleak, and no longer are their children without hope.

The words 'Dr. Yue and Friends' are always accompanied by a buzz of excitement, not only among poor Tibetan students from Huangnan Children's Home and Tongren Ethnic High School, but also at our Hong Kong headquarters. The students recently got to meet the legendary Dr. Yue together with those of his friends who could make the journey – who were in turn excited by what they saw.

Christian Action board member, Tony Turner, accompanied Dr. Yue, his lovely wife Drina, and their good friend Sandra to Qinghai. It was Tony and Sandra's first visit to this relatively untouched part of the world. They were amazed first by the beauty of the region as they toured Qinghai Lake, and then by the diversity and culture of the people they saw while visiting the Tibetan Medicine Museum. They were surprised to see the Hui Muslims flock to the mosque in droves every Friday, all wearing their signature white hats. The group also visited Xining Children's Home, Huangnan Children's Home, Hainan Children's Home, Qinghai Charity Hospital, and the Xining Social Welfare Institute, the state-run care facility for adults with special needs.

By far the most interesting and rewarding part of the trip for them was the Education Grant Distribution Ceremony. Dr. Yue and Friends have been financing high school and tertiary education since 2008, so they were glad to see over 30 students who attended (with their parents), to receive education grants that have changed their lives. No longer will they need to follow in their parents' footsteps, eking out a living as subsistence farmers, or the dreaded alternative, as casual labourers. The land can no longer support the noble way of life of the traditional Tibetan, and working as casual labourers would be a sad alternative for these bright young minds.

With assistance from our Christian Action staff, the students were the event organizers, performers and translators for the day - even the Master of Ceremonies measured up to the best we have in Hong Kong. The students showed great initiative, intelligence and enthusiasm. Drina, who is the experienced CEO of an international corporation, gave a presentation on how to prepare for a job interview. During the ceremony AoJianJia, a grant recipient, and currently a freshman in Tibetan Language Studies, approached Tony Turner for a chat. "I want to practice my English," he said! I know his education has given him the courage to make such a bold move!

It gives us great delight to take Christian Action donors to see for themselves that their support is having an impact on young lives. Thank you to Dr. Yue and Friends, including Sandra, and Tony Turner for everything you have done, and all that you continue to do.