Projects

Through many projects, the Amity Foundation is reaching out with a loving and helping hand to those in need, while simultaneously fulfilling another of its goals, that of making the presence and caring of Chinese Christians for all people more widely known in Chinese society. Amity does this by working with people of many different backgrounds to bring concrete expressions of love that touch the deepest needs of others in tangible ways that make a difference in their lives. Through the American Baptist partnership with Amity, and with Judy as the ABC liaison to Amity, we have also become a part of this ministry of love-in-action.

Amity projects with which American Baptists have a direct connection include:

Village Clinics
Amity runs a one and a half year program to train village doctors. This program was initiated in 1989 and has trained over 16,000 people. The doctors return to their villages and provide primary health care, prenatal care, treat simple illnesses, give vaccinations, and instruct the villagers about personal hygiene, nutrition, water purification, sanitation, and disease prevention. They refer more serious illnesses that they are not trained to treat  to county hospitals, and often help them get there. American Baptist have helped provide funding to establish for the village doctors. Click here for more information.

AIDS Orphans
In the late 1990’s poor farm parents in Henan Province were enticed to sell their blood to illegal blood purchasers in order to make money to help their families.  Unfortunately, the needles used were not sterilized and many parents died of Aids.  There are as many as 4000 - 6000 orphans left with grandparents or other relatives who are unable to provide more than the most meager existence.  Christians in Henan have become concerned about the welfare of the children and the Amity Foundation is striving to help them.  Click here for more information.

Teaching English
In China, command of English is an important prerequisite for education beyond junior middle school, and the lack of qualified English teachers is one important reason why it is difficult for students in poor or rural areas to compete in examinations for limited places at senior middle schools and universities. This lack of access to higher education and career opportunities, in turn, perpetuates a cycle of poverty in these areas. In order to address this problem, Amity introduced the Teachers Program, where people from around the world are recruited and sent to China to teach English. Amity trains and places them in small (poor) regional colleges which train teachers for Chinese middle schools. Another Amity project, the Summer English Program, provides an opportunity for current Chinese middle school teachers to spend three weeks improving their English by interacting with native English-speaking volunteers. Click here for more information.