Ever since my study abroad trip to Ghana in 2004 I knew I would return. This time I wanted to serve the community by working with the Ghanaian kids, the future of Ghana.

This chapter of my life was amazing and probably the best thing I have ever done. Coming home to my comfortable apartment and productive routine has left me somewhat incomplete. Ever since my study abroad trip to Ghana in 2004 I knew I would return. This time I wanted to serve the community by working with the Ghanaian kids, the future of Ghana.

Spending about 2 weeks at the orphanage was more than life changing, it has become my life. When I hold any small hands or see a big smile I will think of the children

This study trip came right when I needed a break from my day to day life the most. There were the struggles of planning the trip, the hot weather, the mosquitoes, and adapting to the different lifestyle. However, all those struggles were worth dealing with to be with the children and friends.

When I arrived I was exhausted from the plane ride and the rush at the Ghana airport. The air pollution was hard to ignore and I was starting to drench from the heat already. However, when I saw my long time friend Fred at the airport I hardly noticed all those distractions. I scheduled for the uVolunteer coordinators to pick me up at my hotel the following day. Nathanial and Nancy’s flexibility and professionalism helped make my trip better and comfortable. They introduced me to my host family, the orphanage, and ensured I was enjoying my stay and I was safe. Although, I have been in Ghana before and I had trusted friends to rely on, I still felt vulnerable in the beginning. It was important for me to have a few avenues I can rely on for my safety and uVolunteer was able to provide that.

Spending about 2 weeks at the orphanage was more than life changing, it has become my life. When I hold any small hands or see a big smile I will think of the children. When I hear laughter, cries, and cheers I will be warmed knowing that they are doing well. We spent the mornings chatting while they finished their breakfast and bath. Then I taught them math, reading, drawing, geography, and vocabulary. They were the most determined and competitive kids I have ever come across. It was always “Lia, Lia, Lia I know the answer, I can do it!” or “A-bruni, A-bruni, A-bruni (white person) it’s my turn!” There were always 3 to 5 children talking to me at once. I wish there were more of me for them.

After the learning lessons was lunch. Then we played charades, Simon says, duck duck great duck, Tiger-colors, bo-bo ski watten totten clapping game, soccer (football), coloring, and made paper airplanes. The girls loved to braid hair, so there were usually a couple of them playing with my hair. Sometimes a couple of the boys would join and attempt to braid too. Around 2pm when I headed home I had several braids and some were larger than others.

During my last few days, the children headed back to school and I was fortunate to be able to go with them. The children were suited up in their school uniforms and bright smiles. Their school was in the back of one of Bishop’s church. The first few days of school were optional, so it was all the children at the orphanage and a few others. I had the opportunity to teach them to write poems, math, draw, and told them stories.

I am not a trained teacher, so I have to admit I struggled trying to keep all the kids in line and interested at all times. The kids had so much energy and passion that I had to bring my A game to keep up with them. Some of the kids were more independent, learned on their own, and knew when to seek help when needed. Others needed more attention in specific subjects and seemed to constantly want to share stories and have discussions with me. I appreciated all of their different styles and personalities. Just when I started to get to know them better it was time to leave.

I failed to prepare myself for the goodbyes. When I was there I looked forward to seeing them the next day or the next week. When it was time to say I will not return, it was heart breaking. Most of them said their goodbyes and seemed to have not noticed that I will not return. A few asked if I will come back to be with them again. As I tried really hard to hold back tears the only answer I had was that I really want to return, but I do not know. I could not give them a promise I was not sure if I could keep. Have I become another person in these children’s life that has abandoned them? Or did they understand I was only there for a temporary time and just appreciate our time together?

I spent half the day at the orphanage and the other half of the day with my host family and friends. I have grown close to my host family. Florence had so much patience and kindness towards me. She cooked delicious Ghanaian dishes and made two Ghanaian dresses for me. I taught the host brothers and cousins how to play Phase 10. They caught on quick and started to win a lot. My little host brother Richard waited for me to return home so we can continue playing cards and read. He would always walk with me around town and keep me company. My other host brother Samuel and I stayed up a few nights having deep conversations on various subjects. It was hard to stop talking; we just had an amazing connection bouncing ideas off of each other. They really welcomed me into their home as if I was a family member that has not been home in a while.

Everyone I met have moved me and I cannot stop thinking and talking about them. My friends and family here are starting to get a bit sick of it and I’m sure people do not want to read my Facebook status anymore. I hope to return soon to be with everyone again. Having this hope that I will see the children, my host family and my friends again gives me comfort. This separation has been really hard to deal with because I miss them so much. I must remember that I will carry the joy and happiness they have brought into my life with me every day. This chapter of my life will not bring me down, but make me stronger, happier, more grateful, and hopeful.

Lia Xiong

Study Abroad for Africa Students

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Beijing Suzhou Street(Suzhou jie)

Author: Brenda

Your trip to Beijing is never complete without tasting the food from Suzhou Street.A whole street full of life and food.Do check it out either for dinner, lunch or for a very early breakfast.

If you find your in Beijing and never been to any food street then, suzhou street in Beijing is the best place to have your lunch or dinner.

There are plenty of food stalls offering both cheap and expensive and delicious local food. most from China’s Sichuan, Jiangxi, Hunan, Guangdong and so on

Some famous Resturants on Suzhou Street

Jinbaiwan: Best place for Sichuan cuisine. They operate between 10:30-10:30pm

Location: New the Haidian Book City

Tel:10-82620008/0009

Meilu Village: Open between the hours of 11 am -10pm, they purposely serve Jiangxi cuisine

Location: Opposite Digital China Building

Tel:1062538883

Paradise Island: They offer dishes cooked from an organic produce which are healthy, nutritious and extremely tasty. Operating hour, from 10:00am-1:00am

Location: 200 m west of Suzhou Qiao

Tel:0108256334

Weilan Western Restaurant: For a special evening take your love ones to Weilan restaurant to taste one of their western style dishes.

Location: No.15 Wanguanhe Lu, Suzhou Qiao

Tel:010825535055

Where to Eat in Beijing,for example Beijing Duck Roast, Hotpot, Spicy foods, Local Snacks, Muslim food and Western foods.

• Niu Jie or Bejing Ox Street
• Gui jie or Ghost Street
• Quanjude (全聚德)
• Bianyifang Roast Duck Restaurant (便宜坊)
• Da Dong Roast Duck Restaurant （大董烤鸭）
• Dong Lai Shun Restaurant
• Longshunyuan Spicy Pot (Spicy Heaven)
• Longfusi Snack street
• Donghuamen Night Snack Street
• Grandma’s Kitchen

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/restaurant-reviews-articles/beijing-suzhou-streetsuzhou-jie-3865305.html

About the Author

For information regarding to Beijing Tours visit our website at www.beijingholiday.com

AIDS around the country; Papua

Commission of Indonesia Incidence, prevalence rates, and other statistics on AIDS in Indonesia, with Papua province being the worst affected. Figures are as provided by the Department of Health up to June 30th 2010.

[1] Numbers of new reported HIV/AIDS infections per year:1999 – June 2010 * 1999: 94 cases * 2000: 255 * 2001: 219 * 2002: 345 * 2003: 316 * 2004: 1195 * 2005: 2639 * 2006: 2873 * 2007: 2947 * 2008: 4969 * 2009: 3863 * 2010: 1797 Total number of cases is 21,770.

Incidence per 100,000 of population Nationally the incidence of infection is 9.44 persons per 100,000, with Papua having a rate 14 times this.

By province:

1. 1. Papua – 135.44 people infected per 100,000
2. 2. Bali – 49.16
3. 3. Jakarta – 41.89
4. 4. Riau Islands – 22.76
5. 5. West Kalimantan – 16.91
6. 6. Maluku – 14.21
7. 7. Bangka Belitung – 11.65
8. 8. East Java – 9.8
9. 9. West Sumatera -9.1
10. 10. West Papua – 8.93
11. 11. West Java – 8.87
12. 12. Yogyakarta – 8.51
13. 13. Riau – 8.39
14. 14. North Sulawesi – 7.69
15. 15. South Sulawesi – 6.65
16. 16. Bengkulu – 6.46
17. 17. Jambi – 5.8
18. 18. North Sumatera – 3.71
19. 19. East Nusa Tenggara – 3.19
20. 20. Banten – 3.11
21. 21. West Nusa Tenggara – 3.07
22. 22. South Sumatera – 3.04
23. 23. Central Java – 2.53
24. 24. Lampung – 1.86
25. 25. Central Kalimantan – 1.68
26. 26. North Maluku – 1.67
27. 27. Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam – 1.17
28. 28. South East Sulawesi – 0.95
29. 29. South Kalimantan – 0.78
30. 30. Central Sulawesi – 0.46
31. 31. East Kalimantan – 0.35
32. 32. Gorontalo – 0.33

Method of Transmission In Jakarta, Banten, and West Java intravenous transmission accounts for on average 70% of new cases; in other areas of Java and on other islands IV transmission is at around 30%. In Papua however IV transmission is virtually non-existent, with heterosexual intercourse being the major factor in spreading the disease. Nationally:

• Heterosexual transmission: 49.3%
• Drug use: 40.4%
• Homosexual transmission: 3.3%
• Pre-natal: 2.7%
• Blood transfusion: 0.1%
• Not known: 4.3% Sex
• Men: 73.9%
• Women: 25.6%
• Not Known: 0.5% Age * < 1: 1% * 1-14: 1.9% * 15-19: 2.9% * 20-29: 48.1% * 30-39: 30.9% * 40-49: 9.1% * 50-59: 2.5% * 60+: 0.5% Proportion of prison inmates infected In Jakarta, Banten, and West Java about 20% of prison inmates are thought to be infected; in other provinces less than 6%. Proportion of prostitutes infected In Papua about 20% of prostitutes are likely to be infected with AIDS; in other provinces less than 8%. * ↑1

aidsindonesia.or.id

(Netease) A Beijing drifter young man named Dai Haifei  built and placed this egg shaped house under the building he works at. He has been living in it for almost 2 months. According to Beijing News, the property sector where the “egg house” is at hoped Dai Haifei will move the “egg house” inside of his company. City Urban Management (Chengguan) of Haidian district said, the little cabin is an illegal construction which should be removed.

“There is someone living in there? I always thought it was just a model!” Yesterday, residents and workers of the courtyard where the “egg house” is placed at all knew about this “model”, but no one believed someone actually sleeps inside. They all liked the creativity, “You can see the grass growing on it during the day, I thought it was a model to grow grass.” a middle aged woman said.

“No way.” A security guard laughed, he did not believe the cabin can house someone.

The property company responsible person said, the company Dai Haifei works for is a design firm, they bought a lot of fresh ideas, and gave lots of energy to the compound. Residents and workers in the compound all like them, and also like their architectural designs.

“However, if staying in it overnight then this becomes a temporary building.” The responsible person said, all temporary buildings must be approved by the municipal sector. He said that he already called the office and hoping to move the “egg house” inside of the company.

Yesterday, Haidian Urban Management said, all construction on the streets, without approval by the relevant department are all illegal constructions which should be removed. If it is built inside of a courtyard, City Urban Management will contact the property management, allowing them to remove it.

“Today all the phone calls are from the media, Dai Haifei and the firm are under a lot of pressure. We will not make any response to the media anymore.” Miss Liu at Dai Haifei’s firm said.

Dai Haifei’s creative house was inspired by “egg of the city” series designed by his firm. The original design was to make people aware of the living environment under this high priced housing market, at the same time hoping to improve people’s living condition and appearance of the city, but it is not suitable to be popularized in the current conditions.

Yesterday, the firm spokesman said, “egg house” attracted media’s attention, we think Dai Haifei isn’t going to be able to live in the cabin any longer. “His career was just begun, and do not wish to be bothered.”

Dai Haifei (戴海飞), 24 years old form Hunan province, built and placed an egg shaped small house in a courtyard in Beijing, as his home. Inspired by his company’s design, Dai Haifei built the “egg” house with bamboo and it only cost him 6,427 yuan. Now he has been living in it for almost 2 month, rent free. The following is his diary on Douban describing how he builds the egg house.

My father works at a construction site; mother is a cleaner of a company. Now they are older and their physical conditions are not as good as before. I tried many times to convince them to go back home to the countryside to farm a few acres of land to live an easy life, stop running around already. They said they wanted to save money for me to buy a house to get married in. But they don’t know in order to buy a home in Beijing with their salary will take 2-3 hundred years. I want to have a home of my own, no need to be too big, as long as it shelters me from the sun and the rain. Do not want to live like ants in the remote corners of the city, do not want to give hard-earned wages to the landlord, do not want to spend three hours each day on the crowded bus, but facing the reality of high home prices, all hopes are fading.

In 2009 when I was interning for Standard Architecture, I was honored to participate in “egg of the city” (城市下的蛋) design project. “Egg of the city” series includes KTV house (already completed), Bench house (already completed), small shop house, fruit stand house, recycler house, message pallor house, backpackers house… “Egg of the city” series provides movable small homes for struggling group of people in the city, the home is also a tool for them to make a living. The green plants on the surface of the house become urban landscape. After my internship at Standard Architecture, I went back to school to finish up my graduation design, but the idea of building a house for myself was lingering in my mind. After graduation, I talked to my teacher Tang Doudou about my ideas, he was very supportive and found a few friends to help out with my work. Later I also got the finical support from my cousin, then the building work was officially started. We worked from July to September for two whole months, not counting labor, material costs are as follows:

Wheels 160
Rope ties 125
Grinder 31
Water tank, pump 95
Steel 573
Drills 18
Bamboo 375
Tools 210
Glue 200
Waterproof fabrics 508
Solar Panels 970
Square rods 30
Screws 115
Paint 284
Welders 260
Spray gun 450
Gauze 600
Insulation 100
Grass seeds 110
Energy-saving lamps 36
Air support 50
Plexiglass 160
Washbasin 60
Steel mesh 240

Total 6427

After the house was built, shipping it from Hunan to Beijing cost 3500 yuan, so with less than ten thousand I got my own house in Beijing.

When the house arrived in Beijing I put it under the building of my company. I already lived in it for over a month. I can get to work within seconds, no need to be on the crowded bus. This is considered a luxury in the traffic congested Beijing. I used the money I saved up from not paying rent to pay for an annual pass of a swimming gym, so I can go swimming, also take showers and go to sauna there. I don’t have a kitchen in the house, so I became a frequent visitor of the local restaurants around work. No need to make meals also saved me a lot of time. In the weekends, I can go the local coffee shops with a book or I can ride my bike around the neighborhood alleys. When the house is simplified to just one bed, other than sleeping in it, other things are taken care of in public places, this is a free lifestyle.

The entire process of making the house on flickr

This design was nominated for the second annual China Architecture Media Awards

“If you don’t pay rent by tomorrow I will throw your stuff on the street”

Media coverage of the story by Beijing News on Netease:

Interview with Beijing News

In the interview, Dai Haifei said his house had been the target of eviction, but because he had no place to move to, eventually they let the matter rest. He had thought about having a real home to get married in, but for now, he enjoys life in an “eggshell”.

Beijing News: How is life after moving into your house?

Dai Haifei: No rent, I don’t need to consider to save money when eating everyday, I also bought an annual pass to a swimming pool. I go swimming after work everyday, then take shower or sauna after. In the weekends, I go walk around in the Beijing city, and hang out with friends.

Beijing News: Your cabin is placed here, will people try to move it away?

Dai Haifei: (Laughs) I was already told to move. The house is placed on the lawn of a courtyard, it is not even the company’s property. Some time ago, property owner came to tell me to move, but I have no place to move to. They could not do anything to me. Now they just let me be.

Beijing News: Have you thought about, one day you go down stairs and your house is moved away, all your possessions are gone?

Dai Haifei: The egg house is a place to sleep, my clothes are under the bed, nothing expensive. (pointed at himself) I only have these, the most expensive thing is the notebook, I leave it at work. (smile)

Beijing News: Your house charges electricity at work, and water is also from your company. Actually your company really supports a lot. Are they considered perks for being close to work?

Dai Haifei: The house doesn’t charge its battery from work, the solar panel charges the battery. My company is very tolerant as for my water and electricity usage, perhaps its part of the benefit. (laughs)

Beijing News: Beijing is so cold in the winter, in this small room you probably are freezing. Before you come here have you thought about such hard life?

Dai Haifei: I did not think so much, in fact, I do not feel very “tough”. The winder in Hunan is worse than Beijing, it’s kind of wet cold. So I think it’s no so bad here, I only sleep here, my blank is thick. I actually woke up last night because it was too hot. My parents also know my life. I called them and told them where I am. They also feel happy that I can save some rent money.

Beijing News: but they also wish you to get married and have children, live in a (real) house right?

Dai Haifei: Yes, they also said I should have a house, find a girlfriend, get married. But they do not know how difficult it is in Beijing. I used to rent, one of those huge rooms divided into many small rooms with wooden boards, only couple square meters cost 8-9 hundred a month. Before I graduated this year when I went home for my graduation design project I had to terminate the lease. They also deducted my deposit for various reasons. It was really helpless. So now I feel free, I don’t think so much any more.

Students meet on QQ to commit suicide, court rules Tencent 10% responsible

(Netease) Lishui City, Zhejiang province People’s court reached the first instance verdict on a civil case regarding university students meeting on QQ to commit suicide. Tencent, the maker of QQ was sentenced to bear 10% of the responsibility.

The plaintiffs are the parents of the suicide student named Fan. They stated, in June of this year, accused student Zhang used QQ sending “suicide invitations” to the public with his cell phone number. Plaintiff’s son Fan accepted the suicide invitation upon receiving it. He met Zhang in a hotel on June 24 to commit suicide together. Because of the unbearable pain, defendant Zhang could not go through with the suicide plan and gave up. However Fan insisted on killing himself and ultimately died.

The two plaintiffs stated their case: defendant Zhang invited their son Fan to commit suicide via the Internet, which led the death of their son; another defendant Shenzhen Tencent Computer System Co. Ltd, as a network service provider, did not delete or disable the content of “meeting to suicide” in timely manner, which caused it to spread. Therefore the two defendants should be liable for the death of Fan.

The court announced ruling after the hearing, defendant Zhang had been posting “suicide invitations” at different times and in different QQ groups without targeting specific individuals, and defendant Tencent never took any measures against the information that may be harmful to people’s lives, which resulted Fan and Zhang meeting up to commit suicide. Two defendants’ actions indirectly caused damaging consequences, should bear respective liability according to the proportion of their faults. The two plaintiffs are entitled to request compensation from two defendants who are partially liable.

The court’s first instance verdict as the following: Defendant Zhang, within ten days after the decision, is to pay an one-time compensation to the plaintiffs including 20% of the death compensation, funeral expenses and transportation cost: 101,225 yuan, and 10,000 yuan for pain and suffering, total of 111,225 yuan; defendant Tencent, within ten days after the decision, is to pay an one-time compensation to the plaintiffs, 10% of the death compensation, funeral expenses and transportation cost: 50,612.50 yuan, and 5,000 yuan for pain and suffering, total of 55,612.50 yuan.

For more new website Chinahush

Do you know what China’s most popular IM software is?

If your answer is Windows Live Message or whatever except QQ, sorry, you’ve already lost a point with your new found friend, or even worse, you can’t really find a local Chinese friend at all.

It is true that Western-based IMs are also in use in China. However, most of the local Chinese still tend to use Tencents QQ. Checking their QQ messages is their daily routine. QQ is so widely used that among the younger generation you’re  likely to get someone’s QQ number as their mobile number. For foreigners in China and wishing to make friends with local Chinese, QQ account is what you NEED.

Then, how to get a QQ account in English?

Not until recently, getting a QQ account is really troublesome. Though Tencent has had an English version of the QQ software since 2005, the process of registeration is still Chinese. this hindered many English-speaking QQ-wannabes. Back then only if you don’t happened to have a Chinese friend who can sighup and get a coveted QQ number that can be plugged into the software, you’d better keep your dictionary at hand.

Follow the two steps and get your account now:

1.To get started, you need a PC verson of Tencent QQ.
Click here to Dlownload the English version of QQ

2.To complete installation, you’ll need a unique QQ account/number.
Click here to Signing up for a QQ account.

If you’ve done, it is time to search for new friends and connected with local Chinese now!