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all passion, hatred, and delusion die out and the soul is released from the body. Buddha also understood the constant motion of the universe and that everything in it is subject to birth and decay. This motion is part of the Dharma, the laws of nature. One of these laws is of cause and consequence, or karma, which implies that all actions have a corresponding effect. In essence, the force generated by a person’s actions is a determining factor in the nature of his/her next life. Buddhism

emphasizes five regimens: striving not to kill, not to

steal, not to engage in sexual misconduct, not to speak falsehoods, and not to use drugs. Buddhist holidays include Bodhi Day (December 8), which celebrates the enlightenment of Buddha under the Bodhi tree; Buddha Day (April 8), which commemorates the birth of Gautama in Lumbini Garden; and Wesak (April/May), the holiest of Buddhist holy days, which celebrates Buddha’s birth, enlightenment, and death.

holidays

Chinese traditional holidays are calculated according

to the lunar calendar. Here are some national holidays

celebrated in China:

January/February*

Spring Festival

March 8

International Women’s Day

May 1

Labor Day

June 1

Children’s Day

October 1

National Day

*date varies

Religion in china

Population Capital City

1.4 billion

Christians are followers of Jesus, a carpenter and a Jew from the city of Nazareth in present-day Israel. Christians believe that Jesus is the only son of God, born of a virgin

woman (Mary) in a stable in Bethlehem. His story is told

in the New Testament of the Christian holy book, the Bible.

Beijing

China is a primarily Buddhist country. Roughly 3 percent of the population are Christian, and the remaining 1 percent is Muslim.

Official Language

Per Capita Income

Youth Literacy Rate

Access to Safe Water
Under 5 Mortality Rate

Standard Chinese or Mandarin US$5,740/year

In its purest form, Buddhism is a way of life. The Buddha was not a god but a teacher. After living as a privileged but careless youth, Prince Gautama Siddhartha abandoned his life of luxury in a search for insight through solitude and fasting. It was through meditation that Siddhartha achieved liberation from all sorrow—nirvana—and became “Buddha” (one completely awakened). In nirvana, it is believed that

100% male/100% female 98% urban/85% rural 14/1,000 live births

Muslims are followers of Islam. Islam is an Arabic word meaning “submission to the will of Allah (God).” Muslims believe that Allah’s will was revealed to the prophet Muhammad more than 14 centuries ago and was captured in the Islamic holy book, the Koran (Qur’an).

Source: The State of the World’s Children 2014 (UNICEF)
Additional sources include the CIA World Factbook and State Department websites.

The People’s Republic of China lies in the temperate and subtropical zones of Asia. It has an assortment of climates and terrains: The south is generally warm, humid, and rainy, while the north is dry, windy, and cold in the winter. China’s topography is varied and complex, with towering mountains, basins of different sizes, rolling hills and

plateaus, and flat and fertile plains. In the west of China are the Himalayas and some of

the highest mountains in the world. China has numerous rivers, the largest being the Yangtze River, which divides the northern and southern regions of the country.

Plan International USA is part of a global organization that works side by side with communities in 50 developing countries to end the cycle of poverty for children. We develop solutions community by community to ensure long-term sustainability. Our level of community engagement, long-term outlook, and constant focus on the needs and priorities of children is unique among international development organizations. Our solutions are designed up-front to be owned by the community for generations to come, and range from clean water and health-care programs to education projects and child-protection initiatives.

Plan International USA

Promising Futures,

Community by Community

155 Plan Way • Warwick, RI 02886 1-800-556-7918 • planusa.org

a Brief history

Maternal and infant survival

Approximately 1.7 million years ago, primitive human beings were active in what is today called China. The Peking Man from 450,000 years ago knew how to

make fire and use simple tools. For more than 2,000

years, China remained a feudal society passing through many dynasties—from the Xia to the Qing—with agriculture and animal husbandry providing the main

sources for economic livelihoods. During the Han

Dynasty, Chinese silk and silk products began to be transported westward. Throughout the Song-Yuan period, commerce and foreign trade prospered due to China’s four major inventions: papermaking, printing, the compass, and gunpowder. During the Ming
This program works to increase access to quality health services for women, children, and families, while enhancing caregivers’ and children’s skills in disease prevention and hygiene. Plan also contributes to improving children’s nutrition and decreasing the occurrence of common illnesses and accidental injuries among children, while sharing best practice with Chinese government agencies.

Advocating for child rights

This program works to increase awareness of child rights, helping to reduce abuse and neglect and to increase the availability of protection. Our Universal Birth Registration campaign, for example, is boosting the coverage of birth registration, which allows citizens easier access to health care and education, as well as greater protection against

trafficking and child labor. Children have the right to

participate in decisions that affect their lives. We work with children and their communities to identify problems and implement solutions.

Sustainable livelihood

Language

Due to the lack of opportunity in rural areas, many

villagers move to the city only to find few jobs— insufficient to sustain a family. Currently, crops include

corn, rice, millet, sorghum, wheat, vegetables, and fruits. To increase livelihood opportunities among families, Plan offers training in animal husbandry, fruit growing, and small business development. The emphasis is on skills and management training integrated with literacy, as well as a savings and credit program. Plan enhances the livelihoods of rural women and their families by helping them access their rights and improve their skills in managing and making decisions on community

affairs. A particular focus is given to microfinance

projects, such as small loans and savings schemes, which help rural women develop their businesses and save for the future.
While most people can speak or at least understand Mandarin, every area has its own dialect. The written symbols are the real unifying language of China. Though the characters may be pronounced differently in different dialects, their meanings are consistent. It is very likely that you will encounter a language barrier in communicating with your sponsored child, as the majority of the children do not know enough English to write a letter. Those who do not know English will be assigned community workers and volunteers who will explain your letters and help the children compose their responses.
Dynasty, the Chinese expanded farther into areas of Asia and Africa. During their long history, the Chinese created a brilliant civilization and produced many outstanding philosophers, men of letters, historians, and military strategists. The People’s Republic of China was established in 1949, marking the reemergence of genuine independence and the beginning of socialism in China. While this system of government has ensured China’s sovereignty, it has also resulted in strict controls imposed over everyday life and has cost the lives of tens of millions of people. After 1978, Chinese leaders focused on market-oriented economic development. For much of the population, living standards have improved dramatically and the room for personal choice has expanded, yet political controls remain tight.

Education for all

Plan aims to improve the quality and accessibility of education for all children. We also help to make the voices of children and communities heard through school development committees.

Here are a few useful Chinese phrases to use in correspondence with your sponsored child:

Mu qin

Mother

Water and environmental sanitation

Plan’s work in China focuses on five

key areas, all of which are rooted in the rights of the child:

Fu qin

Father
Working in partnership with the Chinese government,

Plan is leading a participatory approach to solve the problems of poor community water supplies, sanitation, and environmental degradation. This program promotes participation by villagers in the management of water and sanitation programs. Plan facilitates more open discussion between villagers and local government service providers.

Ni hao

Hello

Maternal and infant survival Advocating for child rights Education for all

Ni hao ma?

How are you?

Xie xie

Thank you
Water and environmental sanitation Sustainable livelihood

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