Annual Review 2000

1st January 2001

This 2000 Review covers DORS 4th year of project implementation. During the year DORS has worked together with 16 villages on participatory community development initiatives in Hanyuan County of Sichuan Province.

Project Progress:

In the last year we have assisted seven villages in starting social and community forestry projects. These included training for villagers, and the planting of over 700,000 saplings. DORS has supported over 200 children at school, and continued with the women's micro-credit scheme. We have completed 5 village water supply projects and an integrated set of community development initiatives has been implemented in Nimei Yi Minority Township. DORS is also having an indirect impact on rural development in Sichuan through publicity in the Chinese media. Additional exposure has been generated through the Poverty Alleviation Office and Provincial Government who have promoting our participatory approach as an example of effective community development. Total expenditure was £63,581 for the year April 2000-March 2001.

Volunteers:

DORS had 3-4 volunteers working in Hanyuan County during the year. Two volunteers, Jim Weldon, Project Assistant and Adam Grant, Social and Community Forester left Hanyuan in August and September respectively, after completing a year with DORS. Local woman, Guo Yumei, joined DORS after graduating from the forestry college in Sichuan. She worked with Adam for half a year, before taking over his responsibilities. Mark Treacher, who assisted DORS during the year on a self supported part-time basis also left in September. Elsa Fan, who joined DORS as full-time Project Assistant in October 2000, works with Rose Acock (Director) and Guo Yumei in Hanyuan.

Plans for 2001:

DORS will be starting a three-year integrated poverty alleviation project in three new townships; one in Hanyuan County, and two in neighbouring Ganluo County, which is an Yi minority county in Liangshan Prefecture. This is the first time DORS has worked outside Hanyuan County. Funding was secured through the Kadoorie Foundation.
DORS will also be increasing capacity building initiatives. We will concentrate more on strengthening local communities through training workshops for villagers in managing community development and using participatory approaches. In addition, DORS is considering offering training opportunities to other organisations.

Directing Donations to Projects:

90% of all DORS expenditure during the year was spent directly on village projects. The remaining was expended on DORS running costs including all office overheads in Hanyuan and supporting 4 full-time volunteers.

Thanks:

We would like to take this opportunity to thank all of our funders, supporters and advisors for their part in making these projects possible. We would greatly appreciate your continued support in the future.

Project Details:

For further details of ongoing projects, please see our website http://www.dors.org.uk Charity Accounts and newsletters are available on request.