The ICD visitors were greeted with ni hoas, hellos and big smiles as we arrived at the Pulandian School July 16. This was a very special day for the students and staff as they received the photocopier/printer (including toner cartridges and paper supply), four PCs, basketballs, footballs, table tennis and badminton equipment, jump ropes and a CD player. These items were donated as a result of the RMB20,500 raised at the May 31 ICD Charity Gala held at the Nikko Hotel Dalian.

Harald Prytz, (ICD Chairman), Anna Lee (Charity Committee lead), Hunter Prescott (Special Projects lead) and Rita Jolly (Secretary) were warmly greeted by Mr. Wu, the principal of the Pulandian School, and Madam Yao, who is the producer at one of the Dalian radio stations. Mr. Li and Mr. Diao, both representatives from the Dalian Charity Foundation, expressed their appreciation for ICD’s efforts in purchasing this much needed equipment for this school.

Why did the ICD Charity Committee choose to raise funds for the Pulandian School? In 1996 their old school burned down. The area parents then decided they would raise and donate their own money to rebuild. They raised RMB 3 million to accomplish this replacement. The facility was rebuilt and opened for students once again in their neighborhood in 2000. Currently there are 199 students attending the school in grades kindergarten through grade 6. In addition, the school is sometimes used for school community gatherings by the students’ families and staff.

As the ICD group drove away, we all agreed there was more work to be done and help needed in making the Pulandian School a more comfortable learning environment for these eager students. When the school was rebuilt, no heating system was included. The students must bundle up in winter to keep warm even though the rooms have coal-burning room heaters. It’s just not an adequate or healthy heating system for the students and staff. In addition, the building’s entrances and first floor hallways can not be safely mopped and cleaned in the winter as the water will freeze making them slippery. Almost in unison we asked ourselves, “How can we solve this heating problem for the Pulandian School?”

A new ICD charity project was born! We want to find out how much it would cost to improve the school’s heating system and then would plan to raise money to provide this warmer solution to the winter chills and be a healthier environment in which these students will learn.

Note: A very special thank you to Lloyd’s Register for donating RMB7500 to purchase the printer/copier, paper and toner cartridges.