China Program Report 2003
Environmental Action Program (EAP):
Other Impacts
It was interesting to see local facilitators begin to teach the EAP course on their own, thereby increasing the number of trained participants as well as identifying additional facilitators. Free time during the winter provided an opportunity for the training to take place. For instance in Gansu Province 24 of the 31 facilitators trained worked in small groups from 3 to 6 in what are now called 'small study circles' to a total of 43 participants. They had to face challenges from husbands or mothers-in-law to win their support.
Pan Caiyan (standing) practicing the
facilitating skills in EAP L1 course in Suoluo
Two facilitators, Pan Caiyan (center) and Li Xiaoli, from the rural village of Suolou, completed the EAP course with two small study groups of 5 each by December 2003. They will begin another EAP training course with 6 participants in January 2004.
One incident of particular interest stands out. When Pan Caiyan began facilitating the course they were interrupted by villagers causing trouble. Pan Caiyan had the courage to sought the understanding and help of village leaders. The leaders then called a meeting of the village women, allowing Pan Caiyan to present the purpose and content of the course. This courageous act won the support of the women, and Pan Caiyan and Li Xiaoli were able to continue facilitating the course.
Some participants from the Ma'an village
EAP also focuses on the environment. In this regard, 19 participants from Caoshi Village, Gansu Province, became active in the government’s grass and tree planting program. They also began to plant their own grass to cover the land between vegetable and between fruit crops.
Taking the EAP course requires a certain level of literacy. Many rural women, especially in Gansu’s Ma’an Village, are illiterate. After the EAP training course, 19 participants from this village decided to help others to read and write so that they too could participate in the training.