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Operation Heat 'em Up - Short Summary  Last month, FIA (a diverse group of young professionals living in Beijing, with a heart to serve the needs of the local community, especially children ) visited a Shunyi school in Beijing and felt moved into helping a humble Chinese man achieve his dream of caring and educating China's 'lost' children. We have subsequently set up a task force to assist him and the needs of his school, beginning with providing basic heating for the children. Hence, we call this project "Operation Heat 'em Up".
| "Operation Heat 'em Up" At a Glance: ¡¤ About the school: 24 kids when we first visited the school in January but to be increased to 70 orphans/migrant/handicapped children (from elementary to high-school aged) by March. When we visited in January, there was no hot water, no heater nor kitchen. The children had been sleeping in the freezing cold, washing their hands in cold water and eating "instant noodles" for months. They were seriously malnourished ¡¤ After our first visit, we formed 'Operation Heat 'em Up' to help Principal Shi Qing Hua and his school. We began fundraising for the children with the aim of providing heating for the kids as a serious matter of urgency ¡¤ In less than a week, we had enough money pledged by overseas donors to fund a heating system for the school and, within two weeks from our first visit, Principal Shi was able to have the heater installed (see picture). We also raised sufficient funds to sustain basic food needs for the following few months. ¡¤ At the same time, our friends at China Radio International (CRI - China's no. 1 radio station) did a segment on the school and listeners have come forward to offer help. ¡¤ The needs of the school are unlimited, but our funds are limited. FIA decided that we had to prioritize where the fundraising money was spent, so we have opted for i) Heating system ii) Basic food and needs iii) school books and educational materials (see full list of needs below). ¡¤ Help needed is not only financial, the children also need a lot of love and care. As a team, we are committed to visiting these kids regularly to provide compassion, education, and interaction ¡¤ "Operation Heat 'em Up" is still in need of volunteers and fundraising ideas. Although most of you live overseas, your suggestions and care are most appreciated | How It All Started Tragedy strikes Principal Shi when a firecracker factory explosion in his neighbourhood leaves his wife and son severely burned and disfigured. The family tried to sue but received no compensation (nor sympathy) from the factory owner. When Principal Shi tried to admit his son into school following the tragedy - all schools rejected him because of his disfigurement. Frustrated and depressed, Mr. Shi finally decided that his son would not lose out on education, so started tutoring him at home. This marked the beginning of the Principal Shi's mission to educate children from deprived backgrounds.  From a home school with one pupil to now a bigger school with 70+ kids, Principal Shi spends his life educating and caring for the lost children of China: orphans, handicapped, and children left alone as their parents move from town to town looking for work. Over the years, Principal Shi and his family have built a reputation on their good will and courage. From simple beginnings, he and his wife, and a handful of volunteers (who come when they have time) clothe, feed, and educate the children. When we visited Mr. Shi, we were touched that, although the children had so little, they were radiant, full of energy. However, funds are stretched and when we arrived in January, the limited incomings of the school (mainly irregular donations from the community) were focused on providing basic food supplies and electricity.
Our Objectives for the School 1. To help sustain the basic food and personal hygiene needs of the school and its children ( i.e. heating system, food, toothbrush/toothpaste, soap, basic medical needs for everyday problems: cold and flu etc) 2. To assist the school in providing basic educational materials and equipment so every child can have a decent and rounded education. Education brings opportunity and opportunity brings hope. 3. To continue raising public awareness for the school and Principal Shi via various public relations and fundraising activities, so donations and contribution can be continuous and from various sources. 4. In the long-term, our vision is to help the school become less reliant on donations and handouts, but more self-sufficient and independent - but lets take one step at a time.
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Operation Heat 'em Up 
