MYANMAR (formerly Burma) – For many residents of Western Myanmar, the decision was clear: let the children eat first.

(more…)

MANILA, Philippines – Elad had no idea the “stir” he would create in his home country of Israel when he volunteered to help typhoon victims in the Philippines.

(more…)

PADANG, Indonesia – Lenny was in the kitchen of her restaurant the day the ground shook.

“The building began to shake. At first, I thought it was an airplane that had crashed nearby. And then, in a matter of seconds, my kitchen was on fire,” she said.

(more…)

YAO JIN, China – On May 12, 2008, the village of Yao Jin was completely destroyed by the 7.9-magnitude Sichuan earthquake that struck central China. Buildings crumbled, tens of thousands were killed and millions left homeless. Six Yao Jin villagers died and the survivors endured a living nightmare, losing their homes, their possessions and their main source of income – their farm animals.  For the shocked villagers of Yao Jin, the future seemed bleak. (more…)

Beijing, China – Yesterday we unveiled a dramatic photo exhibit – near Beijing’s Tiananmen Square – depicting the recovery of Yao Jin village following the Great Sichuan Quake. The event is part of the 1-year anniversary celebration recognizing the incredible courage of Yao Jin’s villagers and their journey of recovery over the last 12 months. It was a huge success among government dignitaries, a U.S. embassy delegate and around corporate sponsors of OB China including Nokia, UPS and the International School of Beijing. (more…)

‘Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the village the people were stirring, building their houses.

(more…)

YAO JIN, China – This morning while driving to the village, I spotted the yellow crane towering above the trees from about a mile away. In such a peaceful rural setting, the crane looked out of place in the same way that a summer carnival’s ferris wheel looks odd in the middle of a farmer’s field. (more…)