My Diary

Good morning from Zhaoqing. SARS has really overtaken us in the past week. Good news and bad. Overseas news re SARS is good: it's peaked in most places. But here in China it's still spreading. Not surprising given the unwillingness of authorities to admit the real figures and deal with real situations (e.g. unwilling to admit that someone has died and unwilling to disinfect their home/workplace).

Zhaoqing is now second only to Guangzhou City in the number of SARS cases in Guangdong Province.
Officially there's been only one death and there are 21 people in hospital. In practice more and more people are going through the Hong Kong drastic action phase: canceling functions/outings, wearing masks, disinfecting ...

Yesterday the CAS authorities announced that from today all local teachers must live at the school (usually they go home to their families each night). And from Thursday, May 1st, all staff (teachers, office staff, cleaners, cooks, gardeners...everyone) must live at the school until....the Summer holidays (mid-July). For overseas teachers whose contracts finish at the end of this semester (Hazel, Jade, Jock) that means the end of June. I've been told we may make short quick shopping visits to the local village....but we may not go into town (Zhaoqing), may not eat out, may not do outside work/classes (an end to One Minute English evening classes for the time being)....in short...quarantine for our own safety. More specifically for the safety of our 900 boarders (...and other boarding schools in the Province are doing the same..)....but the process raises many question marks: the rights of parents to have access to their children (parents not allowed into the school...can talk briefly through the iron-bar gates), the rights of children to be with their families - and not just students' families but also teachers/staff and their families (...will be separated for 2 and a half months...), subsequent neglect of children whose mother/father is quarantined...... not forgetting the tiredness of students and teachers as they work week after week without a proper break.....and behind all of this a cynical feeling that the whole operation is being done to protect the name/finances of the school (...one case, and people will withdraw their kids...that means money lost...). Time will tell how all this works out. From the point of view of the overseas teachers the arrangement will mean more safety for us....but I won't be surprised if the older students revolt and the younger ones do quite a bit of crying.....and some of the teachers go crazy ...resulting in a counter-productive result: students and staff leaving the school.
(...an alternative: imitate HK....take extra precautions and get on with ordinary life...)

I hope you have seen the SARS update file at top of this page. Has much useful info, including a very accurate history of SARS (the first reported case was in the town of Foshan about one hour from here), a debunking of the UK quack predicting a pandemic, and AITECE updates (Fr McMahon's words are excellent:
Many of the precautions now being taken on the mainland are similar to those Hong Kong began taking two to three weeks ago and maybe that is a sign that the mainland is now going through what Hong Kong experienced then. In that case I would expect that there will be an increase in anxiety and cases over the next two weeks and then people will be more prepared to live with it. Behind this optimism, there is always the possibility that sars indeed is a major outbreak and if that is true everything is going to change. So we will just have to wait and see.)

Other news:

* Easter Tuesday, April 22, my dear next door Wynnum neighbour and Iona stalwart John McGrath went home to Heaven after a stroke and heart attack. Funeral at Iona yesterday. An unforgettable character, always kind and loving. R.I. P. Sincere sympathy to Michael, Susan & Kevin and families

* Thursday April 24 - visit to Guangzhou: Australian Consulate-General in morning (re CAS Australia tour...officials encouraged us to continue with planning and apply for visas, despite SARS); lunch with Dr Zheng & Dr Zhong (re-union after 9 years); Education Office in afternoon (...guidelines for overseas teachers' visas....not at all black and white.......best for people coming straight from school to come as "exchange students")

* Friday April 25: Special Anzac Day Breaking of Bread .....and well done Essendon beating Collingwood, helping LIONS stay clear on top!

* Sunday April 27: Paddy's computer centre closed (now that Paddy is back at school). Nine computers: best one for Paddy to keep; 3 to One Minute English cafe where computer centre will keep going in a revised form; 5 to overseas teachers to enable them to have individual internet contact with families in these worrying days. To stop the boys fighting over Steve's computer (so many games) it went to Jade.

+ Overseas teachers continue to be most diligent in learning Chinese and reading books....one has finished the whole of The Book since being here. This week has also seen some local teachers attend a new English course in evening ....reading a chapter of Luke each night

+ Four Iona boys have bought black tea shirts so that they can look like the Chinese pop group F4 (...not just a seldom-used key between F3 & F5...)

These last few days before May 1st are days for stocking up....local and overseas staff wearing out hill between school and village on shopping expeditions ....interesting to reflect on what we do and what we buy in our last few days of freedom: for me the short list was cereal, long-life milk, toothpaste, soap, toilet paper...+ (altar) wine...and a hair-cut!

Dear Lord, please remove SARS from the human campus soon....and bring good out of this whole episode (...greater co-operation between nations...)

Calendar:
+ July 21-August 25: CAS tour to Australia DV! (22/7-1/8 Sydney; 2-24/8 Gold Coast. Budget Bed & breakfast accommodation needed please in Sydney for 32 teachers & students (including JW). On the Gold Coast we are due to stay (for 23 nights!) at "The Sands" (on beach in Surfers, where 1995 group stayed). Staying together in the one building will make communication/transport much easier. In Sydney and on the Gold Coast we are looking for many kind friends to join us for meals and outings - to practise speaking English. If anyone would like to arrange/sponsor a meal/outing I'd love to hear from you: jdwomi@hotmail.com

Easter Tuesday good morning from a very warm Zhaoqing....where a chorus of cicadas make a 5-minute morning call at dawn (5.45).....great if you're a nature-lover, not so great if you're trying to sleep a little longer.
Also a chorus of voices these days about SARS ....still no change in the Zhaoqing situation: life as normal, no new cases, people taking precautions. One precaution: CAS students not allowed home last Sat/Sun/Mon (...some come from far away places...)...so...what was to have been a long holiday weekend for Holy Sat, Easter Sun/Mon turned out to be three working days for primary students/staff (2 for secondary). And now the government has cut back the national holiday week May 1-6 (7 days) to May 1 (1 day) ...an excellent move ......to tackle the spread of SARS. Not sure what holidays we will eventually have. Maybe a few days from May 1.
See SARS update at top of this page - and at top of SARS page, click China Daily (accurate!)

All our little Easter services (Holy Thurs/Good Frid/Easter Vigil/Easter Sun) had virtually a 100% turnout of overseas staff (...not many parishes could match that...)...all around my living room table....no one wearing masks (as in HK). Hope Easter has been a time of hope for you in these worrying days....a source of strength to carry on with ordinary life.

Holy Sat April 19: Photos of photos (Matt & Kieran absent - on promotion in Xinqiao); final evening of One Minute English promotion for the time being (...exams...hot weather....SARS...)

Easter Sunday April 20: Easter Dinner farewell for Pam & Bruce (HK this afternoon; UK/Turkey tomorrow). Thank you for coming back to CAS. Hope you can return again in the near future.

Easter Monday April 21: 4 Iona boys in basketball match against PE teachers...in front of whole school....space does not allow score to be recorded....

+ One Minute English will be shifting back to Paddy's from May 1 ....Mr & Mrs Wong going to another job ...so their restaurant (like many others in the area) will be closing down

+ Have recently finished reading a book I'd recommend to anyone who loves history and a good laugh/cry:
"From the Holy Mountain" by William Dalrymple. Now starting Michael Moore's "Stupid White Men" (No. 1 best seller in most English speaking countries...hard to put down...)

+ Middle East File update:
"Bestseller success for anti-US war books" (...Michael Moore breached the media wall...now others are pouring through...)

+ Thank you Kevin & Rosa for putting more books (Judith/Esther/Maccabees) on www Interactive Bible Quiz...which reminds me....recently I re-read my copy of a famous commentary on Psalm 23...and thought about typing it up for www....until I was very pleasantly surprised to find it already on www: The Song of Our Syrian Guest

Calendar:
+ I am not going to HK for annual OMI retreat in May 4-10 (...Zhaoqing safer than HK...)
+ July 21-August 25: CAS tour to Australia DV! (22/7-1/8 Sydney; 2-24/8 Gold Coast. Budget Bed & breakfast accommodation needed please in Sydney for 32 teachers & students (including JW). On the Gold Coast we are due to stay (for 23 nights!) at "The Sands" (on beach in Surfers, where 1995 group stayed). Staying together in the one building will make communication/transport much easier. In Sydney and on the Gold Coast we are looking for many kind friends to join us for meals and outings - to practise speaking English. If anyone would like to arrange/sponsor a meal/outing I'd love to hear from you: jdwomi@hotmail.com

Holy Week hello from Zhaoqing. This week all oral English classes - at CAS & outside - are covering Easter.
May this Sacred Week bring protection, health and peace to our troubled world.

Latest on SARS: a few days ago I phoned a doctor in Guangzhou (who visited Australia in 1994) and he said the worst of SARS is over...risk in Guangzhou is low. Same was said by officer at Australian Consulate General in Guangzhou whom I phoned re CAS tour to Australia in July-August. In Zhaoqing the common opinion is that the risk here also is very low.
On the other hand the international media is giving a more worrying picture. See SARS Updates above. From now on all SARS updates will be on this file, with link at top of diary. Rumours also plentiful...in absence of perceived openness by health officials. Hong Kong picture is certainly worrying. Dear Lord, help HK!

* Sunday April 13 - CAS promotion at Sihui "Do & Me"; lovely storm in afternoon + strong wind at night to dry our floors (wet again with moisture....as were some computers, including my PC...wouldn't start for 3 days)

* Monday April 14 - morning: Bob home from 4-day stay in hospital with damaged knee ligaments after a fall on Thursday April 10, night of birthday party....Bob's comment: "no more parties! Last 2 parties have been delayed/affected by/associated with someone going to hospital!" (...last time, party to welcome Pam & Bruce, Aron at hospital for shoulder injury...) Also now recuperating at home after hospital visit is dear old Fr Ma in Yunfu.
Monday afternoon: visit to Xinqiao Primary School (thank you Pam, Bruce & Michael)

+ One Minute English evening classes continue to go well....and.... Bingo is now up! (www.OneMinuteEnglish >> Bingo)

+ "War" in Iraq: my feelings exactly in Guardian article "Don't look for a reason" - in Middle East File.
See also "Mike's Message" in Michael Moore's website

Following our previous advice notices, we would like to share with you the latest information we have available about the outbreak of the virus known as Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome - SARS for short.

We continue to monitor the situation closely on a daily basis. The UK Department of Health and Foreign & Commonwealth Office current travel advice strongly advises against all travel to Guangdong and Hong Kong. Advice for the rest of Mainland China remains unchanged.

Some foreign companies and organisations are now evacuating dependants and non-essential staff from Guangdong/Hong Kong on a voluntary basis. We are not issuing such a recommendation for British Citizens. British Citizens resident in Guangdong who are concerned about the situation in Guangdong will wish to make their own decision as to whether to remain here, based on the available information. Visitors to Guangdong/Hong Kong are advised to check with their insurance companies, where appropriate, to see whether the change in our travel advice affects their travel/medical insurance.

On the basis of data available from the Guangdong Health Department the SARS problem peaked in Guangdong on or around 18/19 February and has continued to decline thereafter. Since the beginning of April, 86 new SARS cases were discovered in Guangdong, with 54 in Guangzhou, 13 in Jiangmen, 10 in Shenzhen, 2 each in Huizhou and Shanwei, and 1 each in Heyuan, Foshan, Zhaoqing, Shantou and Zhanjiang. In the same period, 120 people have been discharged from hospital. As of 10 April, 1031 patients (or 83.2%of the total of people infected by SARS) have been discharged from hospital.

April 11 Flu update: Yesterday afternoon while visiting someone in Zhaoqing's main hospital, I had a chat with one of the city's leading doctors....who, like his confreres in Beijing (yesterday's news) is unhappy that doctors were not put in the sars picture earlier (...as a result several doctors in Guangzhou became ill, though none died..)
The Zhaoqing doctor said there is no conspiracy of silence about the real situation in Zhaoqing: one elderly Chinese lady died here in February when the flu was at its height; last month about a dozen secondary students (not from CAS!) were in hospital as a precaution - all have recovered and been discharged; there is now not one sars patient in hospital in Zhaoqing; sars has been and gone ....it could come back here as it could appear anywhere via travelers etc, but every indication is that Zhaoqing people are at very, very low risk compared with say people in Hong Kong.

As of 7 April, according to the WHO a cumulative total of 2601 cases of SARS, with 98 deaths, have been reported from 17 countries. This represents an increase of 85 cases and 9 deaths compared since 5 April. The deaths occurred in Canada (2), China (4), and Hong Kong (3).

On the basis of data available from the Guangdong Health Department the SARS problem peaked in Guangdong on or around 18/19 February and has continued to decline thereafter. Since 1 April, there have been 53 new SARS cases in Guangdong. Of the 53 cases, 36 were found in Guangzhou, 9 in Shenzhen, 2 each in Shanwei City and Huizhou and 1 each in Shantou, Zhaoqing, Foshan and Jiangmen. There were 3 SARS related deaths in the same period and 82 patients were discharged from hospital. As of 7 April, a total of 993 patients, or 82.3% of total cases, had been discharged from hospital. In Guangdong the rate of infection was less than 1 person in 100,000.

The symptoms of SARS are high fever (more than 38C) and one or more respiratory symptoms including cough, shortness of breath, and/or difficulty in breathing. If anyone experiences this combination of symptoms while in a SARS affected area or within 10 days of being in an affected area, they should seek medical attention and ensure that information about their recent travel is passed on to health care staff. Anyone who develops these symptoms should not undertake any kind of further travel until they have recovered. Anyone developing these symptoms should seek urgent medical advice. April/May is the peak season for flu in South China and Hong Kong and it is important not to confuse the symptoms of SARS with those of influenza, or of atypical pneumonia.
The Guangdong Health Dept has said that it would not prevent medical evacuation to Hong Kong of someone suspected of, or confirmed as having SARS, although this would need to be independently organised - for example by International SOS or a similar medical practice. We understand that the Hong Kong authorities would accept patients into Hong Kong on a case-by-case basis, subject to the availability of hospital beds and respiratory equipment at the receiving institution.

There are still many unknowns about SARS and many people are understandably concerned, but the current level of SARS does NOT represent an epidemic. We understand that efforts to identify the virus and develop a reliable diagnostic test are making good progress. According to WHO reports, SARS cases are most likely to be passed from close face to face contact with an infected person although some transmission is continuing despite the prompt isolation of patients and introduction of strict barrier nursing practices.

Some simple measures can be taken to reduce personal risk in locations where SARS has occurred. These revolve around minimising exposure to potentially exposed persons and using personal hygiene measures and personal protective measures. The actions listed below are not designed to be prescriptive but merely to give advice to people on the potential areas where precautions can be taken.

We advise British Nationals to continue to monitor the WHO, FCO and UK Department of Health web-sites for the latest developments.

This is the latest line from the Department of Health in the UK about children returning to school in the UK following holidays in SARS affected regions.

Many children from Hong Kong and other parts of the Far East who attend school in the UK have returned home for Easter holidays. There is concern about whether there should be any special arrangements for these groups on their return to the UK and whether they pose any risk to other children/students in the boarding schools or other institutions.

Our current advice is as follows:
Current information suggests that children are at low risk from SARS. As with other returnees, and as long as they are symptom free, they are not a risk to others. They should be allowed to continue their schooling and advised to seek medical attention if they develop any symptoms suggestive of SARS up to ten days after their return. Children should not return to school if they have any of the symptoms of

SARS. In the exceptional situation where they have come into contact with a known case of SARS while in the affected areas, it would be prudent of the school to check the child's health status on a daily basis for ten days. All other returnees should be advised that they should seek medical advice if they themselves develop symptoms within ten days of their return. If any returnees become sick, they should be treated according to the guidance on the website of the former Public Health Laboratory Service at < http://www.phls.org.uk/topics_az/SARS/community_guidance.htm>.

We understand that many schools are advising parents that their children should return to the UK 10 days before the start of the new term in order for them to check their health over the period when symptoms might occur. By doing this, they believe that disruption to school activities will be kept to a minimum. It is not current policy in the UK to recommend this action

Dear John,
Since I sent you that message I heard a foreign teacher was infected in Shenzhen and Scott Harris is sending all his people back to the States. Also, the Peace Corps are bringing all their people home. However, l think that is going too far and that my original message is still valid.
All the same, take care and let me know if there are any developments,
Hugh.

8 April 2003 Flu update from AITECE
Dear Aitece Teacher,
Just an update on the SARS situation as it is still a major topic in Hong Kong and it is being mentioned more on the mainland. Indeed the international press have given it great coverage too so a lot of alarming reports are going out which might cause worries to your relatives and friends at home.
Here there are still nearly 40 new cases every day while one or two deaths are added to the list. However, most of the infected cases seem to come in clusters - the entire staff of a ward in a hospital or the occupiers of one apartment block. This causes a problem for those who are trying to figure out how the virus is transmitted but it shows that at least it is not being transmitted widely and the figure remains low in proportion to the size of the population.
It seems that in Guangzhou there is less concern about the sars and they claim that the number of new cases is decreasing. All that is needed, they say, is to be careful and live healthily.
So far there are no reports of serious outbreaks in any of the other regions which is good news. So continue to take care - at this time of the year when the seasons and temperature are changing there are usually plenty of colds even without the sars. With every best wish, Hugh and all in the Hong Kong Office.

Good afternoon again from Zhaoqing. Apart from war and flu everything is normal here....
Flu update: nothing new....Jock & Hazel continue to receive updates from the British Embassy in Guangzhou and these updates say that the worst has past in this area of China... the Embassy suggests there is no need to pack up and leave (..even though many people are leaving Hong Kong...). In HK the infection is spreading; in this part of China the risk continues to be minimal by comparison with HK....minimal and hopefully decreasing.
Some of the news reports need to be read/heard with a grain of salt: like the HK t.v. reporter wearing a mask while making his report outside a Guangzhou hospital (... why wear a mask?...no one else in Guangzhou is wearing masks....mask just to scare HK viewers?) And the report from an Australian newspaper (on www.news.com.au ) saying that "this flu is entrenched in China". No trenches in Zhaoqing....
In the past few months I've seen only one person wearing a mask in ordinary life in Zhaoqing....he was at CAS last week....with a big black pumping machine on his back....going from building to building....spraying for white ants...

Inasmuch as anything can prevent catching SARS, we are trying to take the normal steps for avoiding cold/flu: stay healthy, get plenty of sleep, don't skip meals, eat plenty of fruit (especially oranges), isolate yourself & stay home & don't go to parties/outings etc if you have a cold/flu, stay away from people who do have colds/flu, use umbrella in rain, follow the example of the locals and overdress in this unusually changeable weather (..several seasons in one week, sometimes several seasons in one day...), avoid negative/upset mental state (... 80% of colds/flu are psychosomatic...we get them when we are upset/angry/sad/stressed etc...)..and....a daily extra prayer for good health for ourselves and everyone else!

* Also going for (Emmaus?) walks from building to building: our primary teachers Aron, David and Michael (+ visiting volunteers Pam & Bruce) ....each with 2 or 3 students....walking and talking....while JW stays in primary oral English room for word game with remaining students (all of whom will get a turn to go outside in the following weeks). All teachers very very pleased with the way the students are talking so well.

* Friday April 4 - visit to Duan Cheng College. Same night - Roller Skating for some overseas teachers; English Corner for others (see below)

* Sunday April 6 - visit by some teachers to country farm of Secondary English teacher Patty. Photos coming

+ Middle East File updates:
- Baghdad bishops plead for end of ‘atrocious’ bombing
- Longing for peace: A meditation by OMI Superior General Fr Steckling (.."did I do enough to stop war?"..)
- Pax Christi International urges end to Iraq war

Calendar:
+ JW probably not going to HK for annual OMI retreat in May (...Zhaoqing safer than HK...)
+ July 21-August 25: CAS tour to Australia DV! (22/7-2/8 Sydney; 2-9/8 Gold Coast; 9-24/8 Brisbane). Budget Bed & breakfast accommodation needed please in Sydney and Brisbane for 32 teachers & students (including JW). On the Gold Coast we are due to stay at "The Sands" (on beach in Surfers, where 1995 group stayed). Staying together in the one building will make communication/transport much easier...

Saturday, April 5 - Flu update on Hong Kong situation (Guardian). (suggestion to HK people: move to China for a few weeks...get out of HK.... the risk in China is very, very low... far, far lower than in HK)

Thursday, April 3, 4.45pm: - Flu update: consensus/feeling/opinion of local professional & common people: flu has passed here, been here, is decreasing here ("here" = Zhaoqing). Last night before English class at new cafe, I had meal with a local doctor (works at hospital below CAS). I asked him if I should cancel evening classes and he said no need at all. "Flu not a problem in our local area/ not a big threat in Zhaoqing/is under control in Zhaoqing" (DV)
Dear Lord, please protect Zhaoqing....and please stop this flu from doing any more damage in other parts of the world, especially HK.

Thursday, April 3, 8.15am: - Flu update (..but note: flu still not an issue in Zhaoqing...about 12 people in hospital but no sign of flu spreading etc )

The United Nations health agency said it was taking the action because at least nine foreign businessmen have caught severe acute respiratory syndrome, or Sars, in Hong Kong and returned with it to their home countries.

"People who are planning to travel to Hong Kong or Guangdong should consider postponing their travel until another time," said WHO infectious diseases chief Dr David Heymann.

WHO officials could not remember whether they had ever issued such advice before, but acknowledged that it is certainly the first time in more than a decade that the agency has told individual travellers to avoid an area.

WHO issues a book giving advice to travellers on health precautions to take in every country in the world based on the diseases that are found there.

"Most of the diseases have a vaccine or a drug. This is the first time we've recommended that people avoid a certain area because there's no vaccine and no drug," Dr Heymann said.

Sars has killed at least 65 people and affected more than 1,800, the huge majority in China and Hong Kong.

Dr Heymann said Hong Kong authorities "have accepted this." WHO will review the issue on a daily basis, he added. The recommendation for China has been made because the agency still has little information about the situation there. A WHO team hopes to travel to the province very soon.

Until now, WHO had said that travellers could continue to go to the affected areas but should be aware of the symptoms of the disease and seek medical help quickly if they felt ill.

However, officials were concerned by the way the disease is spreading in Hong Kong. Until now, all victims appeared to have caught the disease through close contact with another sufferer, but officials have been unable to link some of the latest cases.

"Transmission doesn't seem to be only by close contact from person to person," Dr Heymann said. "It appears there is something in the environment which is serving as a vehicle to transfer the virus."

Experts do not believe the disease is airborne but think it may be in water or sewage, or people may be picking it up by touching something on which a victim has coughed.

A number of countries already have advised their citizens to avoid the Hong Kong and Guangdong, but many others simply followed WHO guidelines.

China today reported that there had been 361 new cases of the disease during March, with nine deaths, and two more people died in Canada - a country that was struck by Sars after travellers returned from the region carrying the disease.

Already airlines were reporting that passenger numbers were down on flights to the affected areas, and the alert has had a big impact on Hong Kong business.

WHO has not issued advice to travellers intending to visit other countries hit by the disease. Dr Heymann said the outbreak appears to be under control in Vietnam and work to contain it in Singapore and Canada seems to be succeeding.

Good afternoon from a becoming sunny Zhaoqing...hope sunshine dries our floors (wet from humidity). A quick diary today:

* Sunday March 30 - promotion at Dinghu (...same night: Jock a happy man after England defeated Ireland in Rugby!)

* Last night (Monday 31) - English section of Paddy's centre started on 2/f of Mrs Wong's cafe in local village. Photos to come

+ News from Yunfu:
1. Dear old Fr Ma is out of hospital, now recuperating at home
2. Manager and owner of "Do & Me" restaurant willing to rent right front section of the restaurant for Y500 per month as an English cafe. If only we had a few more volunteers...

+ Middle East File has several updates - see especially Michael Moore's "I'd like to thank the Vatican.."
His website - Michael Moore's page now gets 20,000,000 visitors per day!
Background to Iraq situation information: OzSpirit

+ Flu information:
1. South China Morning Post
2. World Health Organization
3. No one in Zhaoqing wearing masks, some unconfirmed cases of people ill reported. Hard to get reliable info. Most local people feel there's no problem here (DV)

Calendar:
(some tours from HK to Zhaoqing cancelled because of Flu..)
+ May 7-9: Visit to Zhaoqing by HK CAS
+ July 21-August 25: CAS tour to Australia DV! (22/7-2/8 Sydney; 2-9/8 Gold Coast; 9-24/8 Brisbane). Bed & breakfast accommodation needed please in Sydney and Brisbane for 32 teachers & students (including JW). On the Gold Coast we are due to stay at "The Sands" (on beach in Surfers, where 1995 group stayed). Staying together in the one building will make communication/transport much easier...

Annunciation good morning from Zhaoqing. Have spent quite a deal of time over the past week answering the question: "Why is Australia attacking Iraq?". Guardian's answer
My answer: This attack (more accurate than "war"?) has been denounced as unjust, wrong and evil by the United Nations, most countries in the world, the Pope, the Archbishop of Canterbury & many others.
Now that "war" has begun, it's understandable that ordinary good people loyally get behind the troops. The problem is not the troops ....how great they were in Timor...made one proud to be an Australian....and I've gone to enormous trouble to preserve and publish the war-time letters of one particular Rat of Tobruk.

But this show is different. It was orchestrated by the Murdoch media people (see previous diary entries) who, against the wishes of the majority of US, UK & Australian citizens at the time, hijacked (BUSHwhacked) the US administration into a war without a just reason. And now the Murdoch people are launching most offensive headlines like:
"Chirac the whore of Saddam" (London Sun)
" Good Morning Bahgdad. Sorry we missed you" (Gold Coast Bulletin, Australia...caption for full front page photo of missile exploding + photo of Saddam).

May the Good Lord quickly bring good out of this mess.
Middle East File for updates:
* British Cardinal joins Archbishop of Canterbury in condemnation and prayer
* New document says the US is "disingenuous and specious" in manipulating public opinion
* cartoons
* song

I am one of 58,000 Australians who have signed the "Not in our name" record for the National Library in Canberra

* Last Tues/Wed & Friday saw the evening English classes at Paddy's centre continue. Thank you, all teachers. This is the last week at Paddy's; next week all classes will shift to the One Minute English cafe in the village where...

* Last Friday night was the last night at KFC for One Minute English ....part of my anti-war stand is for the time being not to go to/buy KFC/McDonalds/Starbucks/CocaCola/Pepsi etc. Saying goodbye to the staff at KFC was not a pleasant experience...they have been really wonderful to me and I will miss them. But as I explained to them (and they so kindly understood) this "war" is a US mistake and I cannot support any business which supports US policy in the Middle East ......Go to www.google.com , enter KFC+ownership, and you'll see KFC belongs to a company called "Yum!Brand" which is very closely linked to, if not owned by the Israel war people.
So, from next week, and changing to Saturday (when more students are free) the city evening English will be in a hotel: the Dynasty (exhibition area) for one week, and then in an empty function room at the Garden Hotel (just above KFC)...and ...the whole thing will be continue being arranged by CAS

* And this morning, a new shower hot water system was put in the units of all overseas teachers. Local teachers also getting/have got new systems. Now we can get really steamed up....

* Revision of a certain poem:
If world leaders
want fewer bleeders:
do more for the poor
and forget about war

More for the poor:
Many peope are e-mailing the Director General of the WTO. Write to Supachai Panitchpakdi from maketradefair.com! http://www.maketradefair.com/go/dumping
------Original message from a friend: -------
Dear Friend, The WTO Conference in Cancun, Mexico, in September has the potential to make trade fair for millions of poor people. Please take action now to stop one of the worst trade practices in the world - dumping. Act now - help millions of poor farmers. http://www.maketradefair.com/go/dumping
Rich countries grow more than they can wear, eat or use and create mountains of wheat, rice or even chicken wings that no one wants and then dump the excess in poor countries. Farmers can/t compete with the imports and they are going under. Supachai Panitchpakdi, the head of the WTO, says he's serious about making trading fair for poor countries. So he needs to act now to stop dumping. The next month is critical as this is when rich governments agree on the agenda for Cancun. We need your help now. Take action and e-mail Supachai telling him that you want him to act to help poor farmers to Make Trade Fair.

Calendar:
+ April 24-25: Visit by 37 teachers from HK OMI Primary School
+ April 26-30: Visit by Sr Theresa and group
+ May 7-9: Visit to Zhaoqing by HK CAS
+ July 21-August 25: CAS tour to Australia DV! (22/7-2/8 Sydney; 2-9/8 Gold Coast; 9-24/8 Brisbane). Bed & breakfast billets needed please for some 31 students and teachers

While there's talk there's hope.....no war. See Middle East File for many updates:
* French MP urges Pope to become Iraq human shield
* Human shields update
*Cook's anti-war stance wins ovation
* Pope makes strongest public appeal yet to Saddam
* Rachel's war. Death of USA peace activist in Gaza
* Commission says Howard looking at free trade reward for war
* Howard's dangerous willingness to side with Israel irrespective of the circumstances (Bishop Power)
* A letter to the London Observer from Terry Jones (of Monty Python)
* Selected news items from the Middle East (..the other side of the fence..)

Meanwhile we get on with our lives and hope people everywhere have peace and freedom to do the same:

+ Aron is wearing sling in above photos after hurting his arm/shoulder while running. "Bone growing faster than ligaments...bit of a tear...just like last year when my hip had same problem after I kicked a football".
Attention Aron received at No. 1 hospital and especially from nurses at CAS clinic made some of the other boys want to buy a sling.... (update: today, Tuesday 18/3: Aron's sling no longer being worn)

+ Tues March 11: Thomas was given a warm farewell as he headed for HK (and Australia on March 15).
Thank you, again, Thomas for all your dedication here. Hope many more volunteers can come soon (...see below!)

+ Last Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday nights saw the English classes continue at Paddy's Centre. Thank you all helpers.

+ Sat March 13: CAS prmotion at Gao Yao (across river from Zhaoqing). Same afternoon, visit by 3 HK CAIS teachers to prepare for student band visit in May

+ Sun March 16: CAS promotion at Yunfu (one hour from HK), where some of us visited dear old Fr Ma (in hospital for check-up). Same night, usual Sat night Breaking of Bread linked to world-wide peace vigil.

+ Mon March 17: Enjoyable visit to Seven Star Crags by large group of teachers....followed by the purchase of 5 bicycles (...photos without slings to come DV...). Same day: visit to Xinqiao Primary School. This is the good news story of the week: some time ago the Xinquiao school principal came knocking, literally, on one of our gates....a genuine country man....carried no I.D.....had trouble getting passed CAS guards...eventually made it to school office, to request CAS to send an overseas teacher for some English at his school (1,000 students). In return (.. read: carot..) principal would encourage his better off students (maybe 5%) to attend CAS.
So it was yesterday that a Xinqiao vehicle was yesterday at CAS west gate to take Doris (CAS principal's secretary) (..read: trouble-shooter to make sure everything goes well..) and me to Xinqiao for "3 periods of English with 3 different classes" (read: the same 71 primary four students for 3 consecutive periods). After a beautiful country lunch, and before a beautiful country dinner, the classes were held in the school's only activity room and were nothing short of an eye-opener: 71 children who before and in between classes were as noisy and lively as any group anywhere on the planet, but the moment the bell went they just sat there with arms folded and only moved when instructed to. They were great: joined in the conversation exercises, sang the songs, didn't talk out of turn...probably the most well-behaved group of students I have ever met (in Australia, Hong Kong, China).
And...talk about doors opening thanks to CAS.....the Xinqiao principal is very keen to have some HK/overseas volunteers help at his school and at other schools in the area (...some 50,000 students in some 20 schools...). He is even offering free accommodation and free meals for 4-8 people as soon as possible.
Hurry up, Theresa and group (due to visit Zhaoqing and surrounds for this very purpose and end of next month).
CAS is very happy to promote this arrangement: we go to other towns, establish a link with their schools, help find better-off students for CAS, and help find volunteers for the poorer students in those towns.
Needed urgently: dozens of volunteers (from HK/overseas) to work in small teams in Xinqiao, Yunfu, Xinqing, Jinli, Sihui, Sanshui etc....based at local schools in these places and from those bases moving out into the surrounding country areas. Please spread the word ...and ask interested people to email me: jdwomi@hotmail.com

Calendar:
+ March 22: Pam & Bruce due back in Zhaoqing for working holiday (till April 20)
+ April 24-25: Visit by 40 teachers from HK OMI Primary School
+ April 26-30: Visit by Sr Theresa and group
+ May 7-9: Visit to Zhaoqing by HK CAS
+ July 21-August 25: CAS tour to Australia DV! (22/7-2/8 Sydney; 2-9/8 Gold Coast; 9-24/8 Brisbane). Bed & breakfast billets needed please for some 31 students and teachers

Thursday, March 13 - Special Update from MoveOn:
Dear MoveOn supporters around the world, Please visit http://www.globalvigil.org and plan a candlelight vigil for peace in your area on Sunday, March 16 at 7 pm. MoveOn.org and the Win Without War coalition, together with Archbishop Desmond Tutu and many faith-based organizations, are calling this vigil, and we need your help.
Beginning in New Zealand, this will be a rolling wave of candlelight gatherings that will quickly cross the globe. It's up to you to make this happen. Today we are asking individuals, like you, to organize a vigil in each community. We're hoping that thousands of small groups around the world will be inspired to come together and stand for peace. For more information about how to make this happen in your community and to join with millions of others around the globe, go to http://www.globalvigil.org It's time for the world to come together in this moment of darkness and rekindle the light of reason -- and of hope. It's time to renew our commitment to building a positive world for our children. With your help, we will see the first candlelight vigil to sweep around the globe on the evening of March 16th. Together, we will lead the nations of the world away from an unnecessary war and toward a peaceful and prosperous future. This is a key moment in history. Be a part of it. Go to: http://www.globalvigil.org Thank you, -Wes Boyd, MoveOn.org Tom Andrews, Win Without War Tuesday March 11, 2003
P.S. You can make your local vigil as small or as big as you wish. The important thing is to act now and to add your efforts to the efforts of thousands of others around the world. Whether you plan a gathering with just your closest friends, or organize an event for thousands, you will be making a difference. Register your event on our web site above. Immediately afterward, please report your vigil to our web site or to photos@moveon.org, with digital photographs if possible. If you know how, please crop and resize your photos to approximately 200h x 150v pixels and send them in .jpg format. Please include the city, location and country of your vigil. We will compile the reports and photos for the media.
P.P.S. Yesterday, we delivered to the 15 United Nations Security Council members anti-war comments from one million people around the world, gathered last week in just five days. 180 boxes of your petitions were delivered, which drew extensive media attention. It now appears that the Bush administration's resolution on Iraq will fail to garner Security Council support, and world public opinion has been a key part of this. Thank you!

As we begin one of the most important weeks in world history - To War or Not To War, this week? - talk about the previous week's activities here in Zhaoqing seems so insignificant. Can the war be stopped? Please God. The weekend Guardian (UK) reports that USA ambassadors all over the world are telling Washington "NO!....War will harm rather than help US interests".....but will George listen? Guardian also has story "When Rupert goes to war, so do his 175 editors".....all 175 Murdoch papers throughout the world (including the main Australian dailies) are promoting war. Why? Go to www.google.com , put in "murdoch+rupert+Jewish" and see what you get. It's the immensely powerful Jewish media lobby in the USA which is driving US Middle East policy.... Israel wants war against one of its most bitter foes.....the same Israel whose ethnic cleansing of the Palestinian people in recent decades is a (the?) major cause of world terrorism....the same Israel which is now treating the Palestinians in the same way as Hitler treated Jews.

A long term dream: a Middle East Economic Union, including a peaceful Israel and all its Arab neighbours......just like the European Union includes former enemies Germany, France, Britain.
Some day soon Please God!

But in the meantime, the article below mentions the last hope for peace....his name is John Paul. In the same way as his threat to join the striking Solidarity workers in Poland in 1989 brought about the collapse of Communism in Europe, so may the Lord put the same 1989 "fire in his belly" to go to Iraq as requested below (& as in this diary on Feb 11):

Thank you, Glenda, for this item:
------------------------------------------------

An Appeal from Dr. Helen Caldicott to the Pope


Dear Friends,

I write this appeal for your help as a pediatrician, a mother, and a grandmother -- and I am writing about the lives of tens of thousands of children.

Although the current USA administration has demonstrated it has no reservations about slaughtering up to 500,000 innocents in Iraq, there is one person whose life they absolutely will not risk. That person is Pope John Paul II.

The Pope has already formally denounced the proposed war, calling it a defeat for humanity, and also has sent his top spokesperson.   However, to stop the war, he now must take a historically unprecedented action of his own and travel to Baghdad. The Pope's physical presence in Iraq will act as the ultimate human shield, during which time leaders of the world's nations can commit themselves to identifying and implementing a peaceful solution to a war that the world's majority clearly does not support.

To persuade the Holy Father to take this unusual but potent action, he must hear from you and millions of others around the world who have already been inspired to stand up and speak out for peace. A mountain of surface mail, email, faxes, and phone calls are our devices to inspire him.

Please understand that your taking just a few minutes right now to communicate with him may ultimately spare the lives of thousands of innocent people who at this moment live in complete terror from the threat of an imminent U.S.-lead military strike on their homeland.

So here is what you can do to be a part of this powerful final action to stop the march to war in Iraq.

Simply cut and paste the letter below into a new email. Also cut and paste the Vatican email address we have provided :accreditamenti@pressva.va
Pass this original email on to as many people you can so as to assure a critical mass is reached in this action.

Thank you for participating in this formal request of the Pope. We just may stop this war in Iraq -- and save these childrens' lives.

Dr. Helen Caldicott

  Sample email:

Your Holiness:

I write to you today out of a sense of great urgency. As you know the
United States of America is on the verge of launching what may be
one of the most cataclysmic wars in history using weapons of mass
destruction upon the Iraqi people, fifty percent of whom are less than
15 years of age.

Conservative estimates are that such a war will result in the death of
500,000 Iraqis. It seems clear that, at this time, you are the only
person on Earth who can stop this war. Indeed, your physical presence in
Baghdad, will prevent the impending slaughter of hundreds of
thousands of human beings, and force the international community
of nations to identify and implement a truly peaceful resolution to
this unprecedented, preemptive aggression.

I implore you to travel to Baghdad and to remain there until a
peaceful solution to this crisis has been implemented. The lives of
the people of Iraq rest in your hands - as does the fate of the world.

With hope,

(name, country)

I have sent this email, and I've also signed several petitions to the UN (e.g. Move On). Thank goodness for the internet and media like the Guardian which help us little people know how we are being manipulated by the Murdoch mafia. See also Middle East File for updates: rebellions in USA, resignation letter of USA Greece consul + AFSC link.

* Last week the evening English classes began at Paddy's China 8 centre: Tuesday for Primary 1 &2 (thank you Candy & Even) , Wednesday for Primary 3,4,5,6 (JW), and Friday for Secondary & adults (thank you Hazel, Jock & team). The English Centre is due to move to 2/F of Mrs Wong's canteen (in the village near CAS) from next month DV, with Paddy's Centre being exclusively for computer courses. HK & overseas volunteers are needed for the English centre, to be known as "One Minute English Cafe". It's location will better suit the people of our area (especially school-less children) and it will be open 7am-10pm (same as the canteen hours) for people who want to drop in for a chat/meal/drink/English library/video/VCD/tuition etc.

* Saturday, March 8: International Women's Day (very important in China). Staff party 7pm in Gym

* Last night, March 10: Farewell meal for Thomas who is due to go to HK tomorrow, then back to Sydney on March 14. Thank you Thomas for your time here....you have been a blessing for Zhaoqing..... so many people helped by you: the poor family for whose husband you found a job (accompanying him for interviews), the school-less students whom you coached - especially Paddy who, thanks to you and your dear wife, is now at school in our local village...as of today!! We wish you safe traveling, Thomas, and may you come back to Zhaoqing again some day DV!

* Yes, Paddy starts school today....a happy new chapter in the Paddy Story. And...how about this...a most appropriate True Story (thank you, Glenda) about someone who died on this day, March 11, 1955

Calendar:
+ March 22: Pam & Bruce due back in Zhaoqing for working holiday (till April 20)
+ April 24-25: Visit by 40 teachers from HK OMI Primary School
+ May 7-9: Visit to Zhaoqing by HK CAS
+ July 21-August 25: CAS tour to Australia DV! (not yet finalised)

Tuesday, March 4, 2003: Dear Friends

Pancake Tuesday good morning from overcast but warm Zhaoqing. Winter has gone, but maybe not finally gone...usually makes several come-backs before finally retiring. We are back at school today after a long week-end and many activities over the past week:

* Thursday Feb 27: Secondary teachers and "Going Abroad Students" (Seniors) went on enjoyable shopping expedition to A-Best (new department store). Thurs night: Visited home of CAS worker Mrs Zhang

* Sunday March 2: Hike for 16 people to Bai Ling Mountain behind CAS, followed by a party in evening at CAS Golf Club where overseas staff had great time at the practice range...some swinging a club for the first time in their life

+ AITECE - a great organization, based in Hong Kong with offices in USA, Canada, Ireland, Australia. Helps teachers & institutions in China make contact - now has 56 teachers (including JW) in China. Many jobs still available for qualified teachers

+ Our new overseas teachers are all learning Mandarin....several individual classes a week with a local speaker who teaches Chinese in return for help in learning English. And the overseas teachers share a common complaint: why did we spend so much time at school learning things we'll never need/use...but didn't study a foreign language which is so useful in today's world....and: would that more schools taught Mandarin....... the most important language in Asia

Momentum gathers for tomorrow's Day of Prayer for Peace

The Pope's call for an Ash Wednesday "fast with intensity for peace" has touched Catholics and other Christians around the world.
Warning that the world was drifting toward the "logic of war," Pope John Paul called for a day of prayer and fasting for peace on Ash Wednesday.
The National Council of Churches in Australia has backed the Pope's call for Christians to mark Ash Wednesday as a special day of prayer for peace and has urged all churches to join together in praying for peace on Ash Wednesday.
The Council's Rev Dr Jon Inkpin said: "Ash Wednesday is traditionally a day of repentance in which Christians seek grace to turn from paths of evil. Australia needs to find space for sober reflection at this time so that we turn to cultivating a culture of peace rather than war."
Meanwhile in Adelaide, Catholic Archbishop Philip Wilson supported the Pope’s call for Catholics to show support for peace on Ash Wednesday.
"I invite people to join the Pope and myself in fasting and praying for peace on Ash Wednesday," he said

* Tuesday February 19: DG my 30th Anniversary (children in photos don't have a school to go to.....they have been attending class at Paddy's Centre given by our Sydney volunteer, Thomas - thank you!)

* Sunday Feb 23: A group of old and new teachers enjoyed day at the famous Seven Star Crags/Lakes in Zhaoqing (previous photos)

+ As well as classes in Primary, Michael & Aron have been helping Iona in Kindergarten

+All teachers looking forward to a phone in their own unit ....due today or tomorrow. Will be easier for family and friends to contact them. And....our t.v. room now has internet computer + DVD!....and even more important, every unit as of last night now has its own brand new.....toilet plunger!!

+ Article in Brisbane Catholic Leader weekend of February 16 re 4 Iona Boys (thank you, Darlene):
FOUR students who graduated last year from Iona College, Lindum have given up a year of their lives to help teach English in China. Michael Graham, Aron Oulton, Kieran Salsone and Matthew MacDonald have volunteered to assist the Oblate Mission in China. Graeme Fuller, who is dean of administration at Iona, said the Oblates of Mary Immaculate, who run Iona College, have a missionary presence in China. He said the young men will meet Oblate Father John Wotherspoon, an old boy of Iona College, in China. Fr Wotherspoon has arranged for them to teach English to Cantonese students aged from five to 17 at an American-Canadian International School.
Mr Fuller said the four were looking forward with anticipation to the trip. Michael Graham said he was hoping to experience a variety of Chinese cultures and in some way become immersed in some of their history. "I hope to pursue a career in journalism or law on my return and become a foreign correspondent and I feel exposure to a Chinese language will be advantageous in my chosen career."
Aron Oulton said it was a great opportunity to travel and to learn Cantonese. "It will be my good fortune to have new experiences in different situations which should help me if I pursue a career in education on my return."
Kieran Salsone said he saw the trip as an opportunity to better himself by becoming bi-lingual through different worldly experiences. "I hope to develop language skills, make a good impression as an Australian to the Chinese and it is a time to grow into adulthood."
Matthew MacDonald said it was an opportunity not to be missed.> "I hope to grow a lot more in a different way and become more understanding of world situations," he said.
The college fareweled the four students at a special assembly on February 4. The four were stopping over in Hong Kong for a week to obtain a work visa for China and some orientation for their forthcoming year.
They will be based in Zhaoqing.

+ God bless Pope John Paul's efforts to stop war in Middle East. In the past week his envoy has seen Saddam in Iraq, the Iraq deputy president (a Catholic) has seen the Pope in Rome, as has Kofi Anan & Mr Blair etc...all with a view to peace....for which we are asked to stop and pray especially at 3pm on March 3, 2003 (3-3-3-3). Middle East File updates:
* The Media at war....why the Australian media is so pro-war
* How the Media "covered" the huge peace march in New York

+ Also updated with traditional and simplified Chinese characters: Gospel Stories (thank you, Rosa!)

Good morning from foggy but mild Zhaoqing.....weather here over the past week has been like Melbourne: four seasons in one day.
Semester 2 started yesterday after the Lunar holiday, and many teachers are today walking around with something like a weekend hangover - such a shell-shock to the system is the return to class.
Our overseas teachers are working in Kindergarten (Iona), Primary (Aron, David, Michael, Thomas & I), and Secondary (Hazel, Jade, Jock, Kieran & Matt). Also in Secondary is a temporary overseas teacher, Bob, from USA - welcome! The past week has seen many hours spent on getting our units furnished/fixed/repaired/cleaned.....thank Goodness for the team of repair people CAS has on site.
Photos of units: click here and here

No doubt families of the new teachers, especially the younger ones, are experiencing a painful gap in their homes with the boys not being around. But DV the pain of separation will be more than replaced by lots of happiness in the future ....as I can say happened to the families in my group who left home aged 18 for the seminary many years ago. And your bundles of joy are due to be away for only 1 year....

Also on a painful/serious/sombre/embarrassing note: poor Jock was most unceremoniously saluted at an ungodly hour on Feb 13 with the Soccer news from UK. England Won! Make that One...and Australia Three! The only Englishman in a city of 400,000 ....with 7 Australian neighbours....where could he hide?.....he tried listening to the BBC....there IT was again.....also on the Internet....and the evening TV news from Hong Kong....and the next day in China Daily...

Feb 14: In the morning many friends went to the nearby railway station to say goodbye to Ulrike.....now back in Germany to continue her university studies.....before returning to China some day DV
And after a day of meetings to prepare for school, the CAS staff in the evening enjoyed a New Year/Start of Semester Dinner at the Dynasty Hotel (which is owned by the same group of businessmen who own CAS)

* Middle East File has more updates/articles re Iraq/war - 2 excellent articles from the UK Guardian (thank you Jock) re last weekend's marches for peace.....and the fact that USA/Mr Bush will spend one billion US dollars a day in the next 12 months on "defence" (...not counting the cost of involvement in Iraq...). Please remember 3--3-3-3 which has been nominated as a world time of prayer for peace (3pm, March 3, 2003).

* Babel Fish at bottom of main pages of China8, OneMinuteEnglish & JT not working in Zhaoqing (maybe because from AltaVista which doesn't work in China?) Could someone please tell me if Fish works anywhere else?

* I'm most grateful that so many people are checking China8 for photos etc. According to "fast counter" the figures for the past week are:

* I've invited the other overseas teachers to put down a few thoughts on disc about their thrills and spills here at CAS - will put them (the thoughts, not the teachers) on www as they become available

Good news today:
1. Matt found out in a.m. email from home that he is in the top 500 for 2002 Year 12 in the whole of Australia (that's the top 500 out of some 150,000?) and will receive AUD$2,000 from the Commonwealth Government. Well done Matt & well done Iona College!
2. Starting this Friday, there will be a CAS-OneMinuteEnglish promotion 7pm each Friday night (except 18/4) at....KFC!

Now nearly 5.30pm ....I haven't been typing all day....part one - am, part two - pm......now about to get free school bus (6.10pm) to town to check out KFC location etc for Friday...and a bit of shopping

Good morning from a slow boat on way to China! Not really slow....doing 30 knots...we are a group of nine: New CAS teachers (photo in p.s. below...)
*David (Lesmurdie OMI parish, Perth....ex-Mazenod Perth old boy.....extra happy to be on big Catamaran made in Fremantle, Perth)
+ 4 College Prefects who just finished Senior at Iona College in Brisbane last year...taking a year off before university etc:
* Aron (uncle Sean a Carmelite in Derry)
* Kieran (whose uncles I taught at Iona...and at whose grandparents' wedding I was an altar boy!)
*Matt (dux of Iona 2002, spent 2001 in Japan as an exchange student)
* Michael (champion long distance runner and not-so-long distance relative of JW!)
* Thomas, a qualified teacher from Sydney, originally from Hong Kong, a volunteer at CAS for a month...thank you for coming!
* Joe, from Wexford (Ireland), brother of Fr Pat at Iona....who was principal at Mazenod WA when David was a student there in 1988 (...small world...!) - visiting Zhaoqing for a few days
* Elke, dear Notre Dame HK friend, visiting Zhaoqing for a day or two to check possibility of setting up a vegetable farm similar to the one she and her husband have in Shenzhen....good news for Zhaoqing....

Has been a busy but happy week in Hong Kong:

* Tuesday Feb 4: OMI meeting re China ... and Lunar New Year get-together

* Wed Feb 5: in afternoon went to airport to meet Good Book translation dear friend Rosa + farewell CAS teacher Steve (thank you Johnny Choi and Doris for Qantas upgrade for Steve!) + meet the 4 Iona boys (..their QF 85 from Brisbane became Steve's QF 86 to Brisbane). After arriving at Notre Dame, I took the boys to the "World Carnival" on old airport site near Notre Dame....a good way of meeting half of HK on your first night...

* Thurs Feb 6: Went with David + Iona boys + local guides Annie & Carly to apply for China visas
+ tour of HK

* Frid Feb 7: Lovely get-together with Notre Dame friends. Thank you, Michael & group.
In the evening David, Iona boys and I met Zhaoqing boat bringing CAS teacher Garth to HK...he spent night at Notre Dame (photo in Feb 6 link)...plane to Australia the next day. Thank you again, Steve and Garth, for all your work at CAS. Hope you can come back again soon.

* Sat Feb 8: Canossian meeting re how to help Zhaoqing children who don't have chance to go to school (because they are from another Province and therefore have to pay very high fees to attend any local school). Thank you, dear Sisters + Kevin & Pau for ideas ..and for books/clothes (able to bring everything on boat today...thanks to many helping hands in group of 9...)

* Sun Feb 9: Chinese 9am Mass and English 11am Mass at Mui Wo on Lantau Island (OMI parish). Good to see so many old friends again. Then with Joe, David and Michael to Big Buddha (photos in Feb 6 link above).
Thank you, Joe, for lovely meal & my first ever pint of Kilkenny at my first ever visit to Delaney's Irish Pub in Tsim Sha Tsui

* Yesterday, Monday Feb 9: Visit to Oblate Primary School (photos in Feb 6 link above). Thank you, Fr Stan for inviting us and introducing us at school assembly. Then at lunchtime a lovely dinner with Luc, Slawek and another group of Notre Dame friends. Thank you.

+ Also: China8, OneMinuteEnglish & J.Tower websites now have BabelFish translation service at bottom of main page....not 100% accurate but pretty good for simple phrases ....to and from many languages, including Chinese! Try putting in a few words ....

+ Middle East File has update article re Iraq/war: "What it's OIL about"....
Pope is meeting Iraqi deputy president today....and Kofi Annan & other world leaders later this week....trying everything to stop war....maybe the Good Lord could give him strength to make a dramatic visit to Washington...and if that doesn't work...an even more dramatic visit to Baghdad (to join the thousands of people already there as "human shields"). Let's remember 3pm on March 3, 2003 (3-3-3-3) which has been designated as a world time of prayer for peace.

Happy Lunar New Year of the Ram.....from Notre Dame in Hong Kong. Students are still on holidays here for a few more days, but adults are back at work after 4 public holidays....the happiest time of the year in this part of the world....for the past 3 days people have been all dressed up visiting their relatives....a lovely custom.

* Last Wed-Friday in Zhaoqing was also a happy time as people prepared for New Year. Many locals returned to the home towns far away....something like 100,000,000 passengers on trains in China over the Lunar period! Except last Saturday (New Year' Day)....I was 50% of the total number of passengers on a seven-car train from Zhaoqing to Foshan....where another 10 got on...followed by another 100 or more in Guangzhou for the trip to HK. Bit like traveling on Christmas Day...

* Thank you Hazel, Jade & Jock for all the work last Thurs/Frid preparing rooms for new teachers.
End of Year meal photos.....New Year's Eve meal with 3 poor families whose children can't afford school

* Last Sat about 5pm as I went for a walk to clear my brain....I met at front door of Notre Dame Kevin & Teresa, dear old friends, who kindly invited me to re-visit their family home in the Ma Tau Wei Estate next to Notre Dame

* Sunday Feb 2: Went to airport to meet David from Lesmurdie OMI parish in Perth, Australia.....here to join Zhaoqing team. Was also a Mazenod WA student in 1988. Thank you for coming! On Sunday night David and I walked to and from Tsim Sha Tsui for the annual New Year fireworks......and as we found a place on a road near HK harbour with 200,000 other people saying "WAH!" at every new rocket....a couple of young voices said "Hello Fr John"....Rosa, Danny, Olive and Robin....Notre Dame teenagers in my previous life. Photos to come per Danny ...

* Last night, Monday Feb 3, another happy re-union, with Annie and her Mum. Full story & photos.
On the same day a former CAS teacher, Ulrike, was due back at CAS for a visit. Welcome!

* Today, Tuesday, the four Iona College boys (Aron, Matt, Michael & Kieran) are going to Iona in Brisbane for a farewell at assembly....thank you Fr Peter Daly OMI (Principal) for your kindness and encouragement. Then tomorrow night the boys are due to arrive on QF85, which becomes QF86 as it returns to Brisbane....with Steve on board....so with a bit of luck there will be a little gathering of Steve & the boys & I at HK airport .....and also a meeting with Garth on Wed/Thurs before he returns to Sydney for university. Thank you again Steve & Garth for all your work at CAS....wishing you & the boys (and Thomas, due Feb 8) safe traveling! David & the boys staying at Notre Dame...thank you Slawek...

+ On Jan 31 my HotMail stopped for a while....after receiving one message (+ photo) 41 times. At times like this, please use my back-up email address ...see below

+ On Feb 2 China8 was 2 years old, as was JT on Jan 23.....for a birthday present both now have a fast counter at bottom of main page (as does One Minute English). Their original counters acquired at birth were too slow and had to be cancelled. Hope the new species doesn't cause any problems.

+ Middle East File has been updated with article about US Veterans against War. As is Senator Edward Kennedy whose resolution to Congress about the need for UN war approval "got barely a yawn from the US media". ...surprise, surprise considering the media is mostly owned by people in favor of war (in "Intervention" & in Michael Moores' website - excellent for latest on Iraq/war...)

+ How can the war be stopped? Concerned people everywhere are ringing alarm bells but Mr Bush and Mr Blair and Mr Howard are continuing on their crazy crusade. Religious leaders have designated 3pm on March 3 (2003-03-03 at 3!) as a time of prayer for peace throughout the world. I've put that in my calendar.

While in HK I have the loan of a mobile (thank you, Ivan): (852) 61280448.
Am due to return to Zhaoqing, with all the new teachers, on Feb 11 DV. School resumes on Feb 17 and we need a few days to settle in and prepare.

Sun is shining and birds are singing here in HK.... wishing Ewe safety and good health in the Year of the Ram/Sheep/Goat/Lamb/Mutton/Kid!

p.s. Am reading a great travel book (thank you Hazel): "From the Holy Mountain" by William Dalrymple.
A best-seller in the UK. Available everywhere. Will make you laugh & cry

Good morning from Zhaoqing....for the last time in the Year of the Horse.....saddling up a day late...for reason see stewards' report of the past week's gallops:

* Wednesday-Thursday January 22-23: CAS One Minute English promotion visits to Yunfu (1 hour from Zhaoqing) - at "Do & Me" Restaurant. Story + photos Many thanks to overseas teachers, especially Hazel & Jock, for long hours spent circling students' OME sheets for Yunfu and other places over the past week.

* Saturday-Sunday Jan 25-26: CAS OME promotion visit to Sihui (1 hour from Zhaoqing). Story & photos

* Monday Jan 27: Tour to & Cantonese Opera at Luoding (about 2 hours from Zhaoqing). Possibly the first ever visit of foreigners to Luoding ....overseas teachers said the friendliness of the people was something they will never forget. Thank you Candy & Even for arranging the visit. Thank you Steve for lovely lovely photos

* The same morning: Garth & Jade were filmed by Zhaoqing TV ....eating a special New Year dish....for a station New Year promotion to be shown this Friday night, January 31

* Yesterday, Tuesday Jan 28: CAS OME promotion at Zhaoqing's No. 1 KFC (....horse left stable at 9am, back at 9pm...) Maybe a weekly event (night time) from March DV

+ Jinli, Yunfu, Sihui, Luoding....the list grows of nearby towns and places which would love to have a bit of English from overseas people on a regular basis. If only we had more people ......but at this stage, because they would not be CAS teachers, no airfare refund would be available. Maybe a group/parish/organisation could sponsor a volunteer??......to come for several/6/12/months. Aim/hope is to have 3-4 overseas people in each of the surrounding towns.........don't need to be teachers.....running English Corners.......I'm hoping there will be some such volunteers who could return from Australia with me in mid-August DV! Please email me if you are interested: jdwomi@hotmail.com

+ Middle East File updates:
1. Churches unite against war (Brisbane Leader)
1. Richard Butler's Sydney address
2. Guardian article re Tony Blair & history

I'm due to go to HK on February 1 (Lunar New Year!) to meet 5 new teachers from Australia:
David (Perth) due Feb 2 and four Iona (Brisbane) boys due Feb 5: Aron, Kieran, Matt and Michael. Also looking forward to meeting Thomas (Sydney), a volunteer for one month to work at Paddy's Centre. All seven of us are due to return to Zhaoqing on February 11.
Thomas will stay at his sister's home, the rest of us at Notre Dame College in Kowloon. Thanks again to Ivan for the loan of a mobile phone January 2-10: (852) 61280448.
All you guys coming.....check the weather.. (This site has had 20,000,000 visitors in the past 7 years!)..not as cold as last week BUTT who knows what the sun and moon and earth have got planned for the Year of the Ram? Suggest you bring 4 pairs of thick & warm "Holeproof" socks. Safe traveling ... and looking forward DV to seeing you all (except Thomas) at McDonald's in the greeting area of Chek Lap Kok airport in HK

Wishing everyone safety and good health in the Year of the Ram. Happy Lunar New Year!

p.s. School year starting about this time in Australia....Iona began 45 years ago yesterday

Hello as the moon goes up and the sun goes down in Zhaoqing....should be as the earth goes up?.....in any case... whichever ones are moving (and they all are) the movements over the past week were sure fast...so much has happened in the last 7 days:

* Wednesday Jan 15 saw a visit to KFC by Primary 6 - most impressive - the first time I've heard CAS students among themselves (without a teacher) speaking English....on the bus and on the street and in the restaurant. Is there a link between KFC and interest in English?!......watch this space...

* Thurs Jan 16 (Happy Birthday, little Brother!) had the overseas teachers doing 5 straight periods of oral English exams before and after lunch....followed by Primary 3's visit to KFC . Again, very good English (...if we eat at KFC every night we'll speak excellent English ...and start growing feathers..)

* To recover from the hectic schedule of the previous day, on Friday Jan 17 there were more oral exams in the morning and early afternoon, then a sprint to the bus to join Primary 4 for a visit to the local Blue Ribbon (Pabst) Brewery, followed by an end of semester dinner to farewell Josie and wish Jade a Happy Birthday..... and then an evening with Primary One at the Seven Star Fountain! Josie is the first of three to return to Australia after this semester (due in Brisbane this morning), Steve and Garth going in the first week of February. Many thanks to all three of you for coming to China/CAS....may you have many happy memories ... and may you come back again one day DV!

* On Saturday Jan 18 a formidable contingent of staff and students accompanied Josie and Steve to the nearby railway station (..Steve to HK for visa renewal, returned yesterday..) and then the overseas staff scattered to the three winds: Iona to a Kindergarten promotion in Zhaoqing; Garth, Hazel and Jock to a Primary promotion at the Dynasty Hotel in Zhaoqing (...where they praised the students excellent behaviour at a Yam Cha) and Jade & I to Yunfu for a tv-related promotion (to be shown on the news)

* Sunday was a working day....I now know from experience when we've worked on several Sundays..how hard it is for working-on-Sunday people to remember that "today is Sunday" (...not that I've never "worked" on Sunday in a previous life...). Main job was getting ready for yesterday (Monday Jan 21) and the End of Semester Ceremony for the whole school and an extra ceremony for Primary 5

* Today has been just as busy...getting ready for coming promotions in Yunfu (tomorrow and Thursday) and other places.

+ Middle East File carries 2 new new articles:
1. Italian Jesuits harsh critique of USA Iraq stance
2. Middle America marches on Washington (....one of many such marches around the world...minimum media coverage not unexpected...)

I'm due to go to HK on February 1 (Lunar New Year!) to meet 5 new teachers from Australia:
David (Perth) due Feb 2 and four Iona (Brisbane) boys due Feb 5: Aron, Kieran, Matt and Michael. Also looking forward to meeting Thomas (Sydney), a volunteer for one month to work at Paddy's Centre. All seven of us are due to return to Zhaoqing on February 11.
Thomas will stay at his sister's home, the rest of us at Notre Dame College in Kowloon. Thanks again to Ivan for the loan of a mobile phone January 2-10: (852) 61280448.
All you guys coming.....check the weather.. (This site has had 20,000,000 visitors in the past 7 years!)..not as cold as last week BUTT who knows what the sun and moon and earth have got planned for the Year of the Ram? Safe traveling ... and looking forward DV to seeing you all (except Thomas) at KFC, I mean McDonald's in the greeting area of Chek Lap Kok airport in HK

Hello from Notre Dame College in Hong Kong. Good for me to be here ......18 years ago today, on Jan 14, 1985, I arrived in HK. On the Qantas jet, I sat with a former Iona College Chinese student who was going to HK to see his family, and on the other side of me was another young Chinese man returning to HK after university studies in Australia. When I asked this second young man what school he had gone to in HK, he said "Notre Dame College" (.... a little sign from Providence I was on the right plane...). The next day I started language studies (nearly 2 week's late) at the Chinese University - and felt like a baby thrown into the deep end of a pool.... DG for the past 18 years. Whatever time is left is all yours, Lord!

Over the past few days Fr William Steckling O.M.I., Oblate Superior General, has been in HK with Australian Provincial Fr Vin Ryan O.M.I. and Fr Mark Edwards O.M.I. (who I taught at Mazenod, Melbourne 30 years ago in 1973.....nostalgia keeps breaking out...). Many meetings and discussions have been held, one result of which will be a few more teachers for Zhaoqing in September 2003 DV. Fr Steckling visited all OMI works in HK..... a few photos of some visits. Thank you for coming to HK Fr Steckling. Hope you can return some day (& check out the dumplings in Zhaoqing)!

+ On January 7 Hazel and Jock were pleasantly surprised by the 5-star facilities & service at Number One hospital when Hazel went there for a check-up. "Better than UK" they were heard to say

+ January 10 Florence returned to HK after again helping as a volunteer at CAS. Thank you once more!

+ January 11-12: Garth & Josie were due to go to Sanshui (about 1 hour from Zhaoqing) for a CAS promotion. On the same days Jade, Jock & Steve went to the Pak Fo Estate for a similar promotion (...photos coming...). Hope you all had some of HK's mild and sunny weather these past few days.

* Thank you, Rosa, for info that HK$98(!) two day (one night overnight) tours to Zhaoqing (leaving from Shenzhen, next to HK border) are available from Long Yun Company - phone HK 2730098

* I'm due to return to Zhaoqing this afternoon, then due to return to HK again on Feb 1 to meet new teachers arriving at HK airport Feb 2 & Feb 5. Happy to hear that the 4 Iona boys who are due here on Feb 5 had an enjoyable BBQ with their families last Saturday, joined by Celeste, a student from Zhaoqing now studying in Brisbane!

* Winter will soon be over, then Spring will be here "the time when kings go to battle".....when George Bush wants to make things worse in the Middle East. Some new articles now on Middle East File
- one by an Australian ex-soldier, now Army chaplain - a most accurate survey of the whole situation
- a provocative?/persuasive?/powerful? look at the USA Jewish Lobby pushing the USA to war
- November 13 (need to scroll down to it): Full statement of USA bishops
- October 8 (need to scroll down to it): prophetic article from UK Guardian re George's real motives
Let's pray each day for peace, because war will adversely affect the whole world. Last Sunday Fr Steckling was one of 14 superiors general who took part in a march for peace in Rome, the marchers being welcomed at St Peter's by Pope John Paul (who has many times said "no" to war with Iraq).

One thing about China ....it's probably the safest place in the world at the moment. And with 40 security guards and 48 security cameras, CAS is probably the safest place in China!

Happy New Year from Zhaoqing! Wishing everyone good health, safety and peace in 2003.
It's cool here.....coldest and longest Winter for many years. Not just Southern China but also India (where 200 people have died from the cold in recent days). The Tropic of Cancer runs through our back door, so to speak, but for the past few weeks it's been more like the Arctic Circle!

* Dec 31: I attended a New Year Concert at a packed (=1,000+) Zhaoqing Town Hall, arranged by Duan Cheng College and Zhaoqing Radio Station.....where "One Minute English" was given quite a bit of prominence....even a live stint.....And on Jan 3 at an after-concert thank you dinner I received an invitation to visit Duan Chang for some One Minute English. Also: the same college is looking for 2 qualified "native English" secondary teachers for September 2003 (salary c.Y5,000 per month, free accommodation, airfare etc). Please email me for more details. The registered birthdate of www.oneminuteenglish.com is at the top of its main page.

* January 1, a public holiday in China, saw two CAS promotions hit the road:
+ one to the historical city of Wuzhou (2 hours from Zhaoqing) where Hazel, Jade and Jock & several local polar bears spent 2 nights ....photos to come after being developed & scanned.....c.f. photos from June2002
+ the other to Zhaoqing University where Josie, Florence and I + local staff met university families

* January 4 & 5: a two-day promotion to the city of Xinqing (1 hour from Zhaoqing). Florence, Garth, Josie, Steve and I were among the participants. As in every promotion, for many of the children/adults it was the first time ever to speak to a foreigner.....quite an honor for us ....we really are bridges of contact and friendship between cultures....About 90 children took Christmas pictures (made in Italy, bought in HK) back to their homes....

+ The cold weather has taken its toll....many local people and all overseas staff have had colds/flu over the past few weeks. Hazel was helped to the clinic this morning by an undertaker (Josie) and a sacerdos!?

+ My phone and the t.v. room phone are now over their virus ....caused by a bug somewhere in town (for which the CAS "doctors" had no vaccine)

+ I'm due to go to HK this Friday (Jan 10) for visit to HK by OMI Superior-General Fr Wilhelm Steckling. Due back Zhaoqing next Tuesday afternoon (Jan 14). Diary may be a day late next week. In HK I'm due to stay at Notre Dame College: (852) 27157263. Also due to go to HK Feb 1-11 for Lunar New Year and to meet 5 new CAS teachers arriving HK from Australia (...don't forget your winter woolies...)

+ Have just finished re-reading "The Future of Man" by Teilhard de Chardin who spent many years in China (as did his sister, a nun). Amazing book - written 50 years ago, so relevant for today. And this morning on an Australian email newsletter I received some excellent new info on Teilhard - now at top of Teilhard File

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