Rich and Chloe's Great Wall Run - China

Rich writes:

The day begins at 1.30 am, leaving the hotel to get to the buses that leave at 3 am from Beijing and dawns over some beautiful countryside northwest of Beijing. When we arrived it was very cold and we took over a restaurant that was opening for breakfast for warmth and preparation. There was a mad dash for the Chinese loos as nerves set in, the first time I’ve ever seen them so popular.

We eventually found the start, unsignposted outside, inside a large stone fort in the base of the valley. Music and aerobics seemed a wasteful use of energy but eventually each stage was crouching at the ‘4 minute to start’ signal. Then we were off! Not too fast, we are soon at the base of a 5km rising hill – and I thought Heartbreak Hill in Boston was bad. The road was a long, long steep ramp leading constantly upwards. There were many walkers but we found it more ethically satisfying to trot often no more than walking pace, occasionally faster. Then the road opened up to car park with the path still leading upwards. The first steps upwards for 5 minutes - then the Wall.

First steps seemed huge, well over knee height, long flights up to the first tower and water, lots of water stops - no longer cold!, with temperatures rising fast to 30 degrees. The air was very dry so we were barely sweating. Top to the tower then down - no stops except to photo. Wall narrows - a lot of single file. Walking on the rising stages now, more towers with often a 90 degree turn right or left sometimes straight on to a vertigo-inducing steepness, the large steps hitting us in the knees going down now. More single file and areas with no side wall. A scuff sends a stone into the forest far below last moved by a builder, perhaps 500 years ago? Most of the path is heavy stone so little major damage is caused by the 1,000 runners. Down a steep track where the wall ends - the hill is now so steep that no wall would hold and the watchtowers top and bottom guard even that gap. Some, like us, are sliding past runners who are taking the steep path slowly, then across the bridge and back on the fort. In, out and around the ramparts then a decision point: left is up a couple of hundred metres (oh no!); right down goes down to the road. Phew, the marshal signals right and we are back down to road level in the base of the valley. We grab some water bottles, now downing half a bottle without noticing, the rest over our heads. 10 minutes of running and a sign comes up 12 km. Seven miles in an hour and a half! How slow - but that is after 3,200 steps and hundreds of vertical metres, in 30 degree heat. (The marathon winner took over 60 minutes longer than his expected time on the flat.) Mentally being on the flat makes it very tough. A long slow grind along the road, very polluted by ancient diesel engines with lots of heavy traffic ignoring the slow signs and the occasional police car.

After too long a time on the tarmac, we exit down an unmetalled road down to Dongzhuan village, down to the village, more water. I touch my uncomfortable knees and they feel swollen, my back hurts. Then through the old village of some size - in and out of old alleyways, past old men and small children holding out their hands and saying Ni Hao, Jia You, hello, come on!! Muddy alleyways, packed houses, in and out, up and down, and then up to the top of the village to run alongside unplanted, flat dry fields, an economy that looks past. More down hill, more twisting and then across the bridge over the river for the last time …. with only a long 6 km to go. Still half an hour. Very tired along the unmade track and out onto the polluted road again. This time it is sheer grit and determination keeping me going, not going to be beaten by the road or by myself. Chloe was fantastic in her encouragement skipping along like a gazelle, having passed her longest ever run at the 10 km mark, even taking pictures as she runs! Then a few spectators clapping, calling encouragement and into the last last kilometer, not daring to think that it is. Keep going for another 50 I tell myself to keep going.

Finally, not too well signposted, the entrance to the fort. Chloe and I join hands and run up the stone ramp to Yin Yang Square, ouch ! even that hurts, a sharp bend and we can see the final portal, we are there and through. Lots of shouting and noise. In a daze, I felt my hand shaken and a red-banded medallion put around my neck. It shows a very steep but empty section of the Wall with a tower at the top. I look down and read the inscription, it says - ‘The Great Wall Marathon, 19^th May 2007’.

A special thank you to all of our sponsors who so generously gave to International China Concern for abandoned and disabled children in China.

Celebrating Youth Day

Kyla Alexander, Hengyang Project Manager writes:

'Youth Day, in China, is celebrated May 4 each year. We decided to bless the Hengyang youth with an outdoor cinema experience - and blessed and excited they were.

A big white screen was set up against the wall and amplifiers were hired, thanks to a fundraiser held by a UK church youth group. As the youth waited for the sun to set and the movie to start, many grabbed the microphone and took turns to serenade the crowd. Even the Welfare Centre Director sang solo!

Walt Disney’s ‘Cars’ captured the attention of many of the more hyperactive boys. They were captivated by the big screen and the big sound, and quietly watched the movie. Many living on the welfare centre grounds, including some of the elderly, joined in the fun. The youth even brought some of the babies up to join the celebration.

At the end of the night we heard the following:

• ‘Is there another movie tomorrow night?’
• ‘That is the first real movie I’ve ever seen, thanks!’

The biggest reward for us was the smiles on their faces as they went to bed.’

Who Are We?

A bunch of highly energetic, fun-loving folks, mostly from Hong Kong, comprised of special education professionals, therapists, a counselor and volunteers.

When and Where Did We Go?
April 7-12, 2007. One day in International China Concern’s Hengyang Project and the rest of the time in the Changsha Project.

What We Did

• Built relationship with local staff with the aim of supporting them in the future in special education, therapy and counseling
• Offered local staff practical suggestions, feedback and support related to special education, occupational therapy, speech therapy and counseling
• Led classes as well as circle times with the ‘aiyi’s’ (aunties or carers) during one-on-one time with the kids

Highlights
There are just too many to share, but here are a few:

• Meeting the many wonderful people who are serving as His ‘hands and feet’
• Time with the kids! Laughing, playing, hugging, kissing
• For some, seeing their sponsored child for the first time

What Next ?
In a nutshell, the team is excited about what is happening in the projects and enthusiastic about supporting International China Concern from Hong Kong! We will meet again in Hong Kong and consider how to provide ongoing support to the ICC staff.

Going Dutch

Last weekend ICC Netherlands Coordinators Hans and Joke, in cooperation with their church, set up a stall to sell goods and raise money for ICC's work in China. The weather was great and the day was a huge success. Joke (above) writes:

‘We did face painting, the children were living statues, people sold their old stuff and we had drummers…the children did great; they gave all the money they earned to ICC…we had nice conversations at the stand and people stood still to look at the Chinese things so that gave us time to talk to them. Their reactions were different. Some were interested and wanted to know more which was great as ICC is not well known in The Netherlands.’

Thanks, Hans and Joke, for all your hard work for the abandoned and disabled in China!