electricity to far-flung hamlets. He walked the mountains to find the best routes for some 160 miles of roads that would link communities to the outside world.
He also helped people find sources of income by growing new things, such as tobacco and walnuts, in addi- tion to improving their corn and vari- ous vegetable crops. With better sources of food and nutrition, the people had an income. The area soon gained a clinic, and with national health insurance at $8 a year, improved health care became part of their lives as well. ELCA World Hunger first pro- vided a grant for the people of Lim- ing in 2009. Part of this was for redeveloping the land after devastat- ing floods, coordinated through the Amity Foundation in China. Follow- ing this, in cooperation with the Lisu Cultural Center, a continued grant
from World Hunger helped the peo- ple plant walnut trees, which yield as much as $16 per 2.2 pounds of nuts. Then came the goats.
The Lisu had a tradition of raising goats. But thanks to the World Hun- ger grant, the village introduced bet- ter breeds—some of which have been bred to adapt to the local context. The latest breed of goats mature in about three months and can give birth, often to twins, twice a year. Not only do these become important sources of meat, but at $130 to $200 per female, and $480 for males, breeding and selling animals has raised the peo- ple’s income dramatically. He Wen-qin, director of the Lisu Cultural Center, said: “We need to give the people hope. And with this we can develop communities.” For her, this also leads to maintain- ing culture, language and even faith. Indeed, many Lisu have been Chris-
Our Lent and Easter Sale
To help To support this and other ELCA World Hunger projects, send checks to ELCA World Hunger Appeal, P.O. Box 71764, Chicago, IL 60694- 1764, or give by credit card at 800- 638-3522 or
www.elca.org/hunger.
tian for generations. All these are rea- sons why she continues to be grateful for the ELCA’s understanding of accompaniment, which emphasizes being with the people as they build up their community.
As is the case in many of China’s rural communities, it would be easy for young people to move to cities for better jobs and incomes. Certainly a typical job paying $240 per month is appealing. But many find this must cover rent and other living expenses, leaving little for enjoying life. Xie said staying in the mountain communities, as hard as it is to farm, means living in homes owned by families for generations and having few other expenses. So young people can save their money.
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February 2013 39
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