Closing Speech

My dear friends, brothers and sisters,

Although the staff meeting of 2008 is about to end, I want to say that you brought me so much joyance and great memory in the two days. What I saw from you is not only a vibrant and energetic heifer-China team, but also the hope of our project in the future. How can I expect any better New Year present of 2008!

Just as we shared yesterday, we experienced various excitements each day in the last year, all which inspired us to keep on working and charge forward courageously. In Beijing region, the promotion of “Heifer engineering project” demonstrated the recognition of our new model to local government; in Xinjiang and Anhui region, we received the large-sized study tour for the first time. Our farmers expressed their thoughts and opinions voluntarily and communicate with the donors actively; their sincerity and confidence touched the donors very much. As one of few international NGO doing projects in Tibet , we're keeping a good relation with local government and made dramatic progress in the project. The establishment of women's weaving group set an good example to other SHGs. In YunGui regional office, each co-worker has clear responsibility, and support each other whenever is needed. This open and creativity-ignited atmosphere makes YunGui office a strong team, contributing a lot to the community development and SHG establishment. Since nearly half of Heifer-China projects located in ChuanYu region, the ChuanYu regional office is under heavy task and workload. However, their excellent performance made the project accomplished on time with high quality. At the same time, with their support, project farmers came through many difficulties and organized their own drum-beating team. This activity gave them not only a chance to earn some money, but also a chance to enjoy themselves, enhance the community cohesion.

In 2007, we made breakthrough progress on VBHCD model and SHG establishment. After 5-times national-wide workshops on VBHCD model and numbers of exchange visits and study tours within and between regions, we, at last, established 136 SHGs in Heifer-China program. After Chengde Meeting in October, we produced the SHG operation guideline and VBHCD manual, all which signified the brand-new start of the new model.

In 2007, we developed 61 projects in 68 counties of 13 provinces. In order to implement these new projects in accordance with our new model, Heifer-China team, especially the PME team, updated the project management manual and produced new PSRP brochure which offered solid foundation and direction for project direction. As the project quality improved day by day, we attracted more and more attentions both domestically and aboard. Totally, we received the visits and study tours for 30 lots of 185 people. With the support from each region, CNN department accomplish the stressful tasks with remarkable results. Last November, the French bank-Calyon held the press conference in Beijing , announcing their donation to Heifer and continuous cooperation with Heifer on ending world hunger and helping impoverished families around the world become self-reliant. This event attracted public media attention, including CCTV and further enhanced our public impact. As regard to special program, I'm glad we have Peng Bin working on this subject. I believe, with this good start, in the area, we have so many things to explore.

Last but not least, I want to express my thanks to our Finance team and administration team working behind. Your rigorous and thoughtful work ensures the project development at the frontline and also fully manifests our accountability.

At this very moment, our meeting is closing to an end. Look at your enthusiastic smiling faces, I'm so touched and the old memories of what we have experienced in the last two decades recurred to me. Carrying on farmer's sincere expectation, Heifer-China team went through the storms, enjoyed the sunshine, and is growing up to what we are today. I believe, each of us made a dedication to it and I'm so proud to be a part of it. Ending hunger and caring the earth is our mission and building up a healthy, harmonious and prosperous rural community is our common goal. It's not going to be accomplished in one day, but, with this wonderful dream, working hard, we will make the dream come true one day.

In these two days, we are so lucky to have such warm sunny days in Chengdu . Is that a good sign showing another spring is coming to our project? The new year of 200 8 has come to us and the spring festival is also coming soon. I'd like to avail myself of this special moment to extend my best wishes to you, to your families and friends, wishing you're all a happy new year and the best of everything. Also, I hope you can send my New Year greetings and best wishes to our project partners and community members.

At last, please allow me to announce the successful close of FY 08 staff meeting. Thank you very much!