Hello all and welcome back from the summer holidays.

I know everyone is busy getting their activities ramped up for the fall, but I hope you’ll be able to take the time to join us on Friday, September 12th from 10am to noon for our next roundtable at Community Center Pudong.

We will firstly take some time for introductions and re-acquainting ourselves with the other Shanghai charities and then will hear an update on Sichuan reconstruction from Community Center Shanghai’s new Executive Director, Jamie Weidner.

He was just in Sichuan delivering school supplies purchased through Shelter for Hope. Please also bring updates on what your organizations are doing to support Sichuan and we will have some discussion on what Shanghai can do to help these people.
As always, please RSVP if you plan to come.

Please also feel free to invite other leaders from Shanghai charities.
Community Center Shanghai - Pudong Center
Greenhills Clubhouse, 2/F 418 JinXiu Rd
(near intersection of Bai Hua Rd) Jinqiao, Pudong
Phone: (021) 3382-1770

I hope to see you in two weeks.
Tania

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Welcome to our community

Health & Sustainability @ Taikang is an association of like-minded vendors in Taikang Lu, represented by Nest, Origin, and Shokay. Situated amongst the original residential community in traditional Shikumen housing and renovated artist factories, Taikang Lu is Shanghai’s precious enclave of unique shops, galleries, and restaurants. From our stores and restaurants here, we seek to promote health and sustainability as a lifestyle choice to our community in Shanghai. This newsletter will include articles of interest along this theme as well as some related events and happenings in the area.

Origin - Seasonal Fresh Cuisine In the restaurant trade, Health can also be a driver for Sustainability. Choosing from local ingredients not only maximises freshness, but also eliminates unnecessary transport and freezing. What that means for Origin is summed up nicely through its “Seasonal Fresh Cuisine” tag line. Origin aims to provide healthy food without freezing or frying and where possible using as many local ingredients as can be sourced. Fueling your body with fresh, living food, is one of the best things you can do to contribute to your health and to the environment. Come and try Origin’s Seasonal menu full of fresh, tasty and guilt free cuisine. Fresh juice combinations and pure fruit sorbet without added sugar are to be enjoyed right at Origin’s doorstep over the lane-side counter, or seated at the alfresco table settings. Healthy lunches include delicious sandwiches, soups and fresh salads. In the evenings, enjoy tantalizing grilled meat, poultry and fish to satisfy even the most ferocious of appetites. Origin’s cuisine is cooked to perfection with a bounty of steamed, baked, and grilled dishes. Shop Open Daily: Sun-Thu 11:00-23:00 Fri & Sat 11:00-01:00 Lane 155 JianGuo C. Rd.(near RuiJin Rd. ), House 39 [map] Ph: 64670100 www.originsh.com

SHOKAY – Luxury with a Story A story that draws on humanity and inspires purpose in the world of contemporary fashion. Our yak down derives its unique origins from the mountainous regions of Western China above 10,000ft. The fibers are hand-combed by Tibetan herders, enabling them to earn a long-term sustainable living while preserving their traditional lifestyle. Yak down is a precious luxury fiber - only 100g of fine down can be combed from a yak every year. Shokay has also organized a cooperative of knitters in Chong Ming Island, bringing you to hand knit products with a true personal touch. Our products are now sold around the world, from Paris to New York to Japan. Our Taikang store is the world’s first yak lifestyle shop, featuring adult, children, and home collections made from 100% yak down. Custom-design options are also available! At Shokay, we strive to bring forth a fresh and stylish fabric to the market in a socially conscious manner. Shop Open Daily: 10:00 - 19:00 Tai Kang Rd. Lane 274, No. 9 [map] Ph:1352-456-1081 www.shokay.com

A bit of history… “Tian Zi Fang” as it’s properly named in Chinese is mostly referred to as Taikang lu. It all began in year 2000 on the lively Lane 210, a common throughway for local pedestrians, bicycles, carts and mini vehicles. The International Artist Factory (Bldg 3) on Lane 210 was the first building to be transformed in this pilot “Tian Zi Fang” project from a dilapidated Candy factory into studios hosting artists, designers and creative enterprise. Walk through the Maui café and have a wander up the stairs; spot the remnants of the candy factory cemented into the staircase and equipment hanging above. Find your way to the 2nd floor to NEST, mention this article and enjoy a complimentary organic coffee at our lounge while you soak in the bird’s eye view of Taikang Lu. Pollution and Antioxidants by Origin Ever felt like you seem to be getting sick often? Feeling a little low on energy or even just a nagging cough that doesn’t go away? Well, that’s life living with air pollution in Shanghai and you know it’s far worse here than many other parts of the world. All that nasty pollution accelerates the accumulation of oxidants or “free radicals” in your body which is bad for your health. Oxidants destroy healthy cells in your body or cause them to become dysfunctional and accelerate aging process. Antioxidants are the only barrier able to block the free radicals effects. The main beneficial antioxidants are; vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, and beta-carotene. You can find them in fresh dark green leafy vegetables as well as other fruits and vegetables such as oranges, tomatoes and carrots. Consuming these raw will insure the maximum dosage of antioxidants is absorbed into the body. Origin offers an excellent range of antioxidant packed salads and juices that taste great and a packed full of goodness. Better Health, Better Living Health and Sustainability at Taikang Rd will be exhibiting at the HEALTH FAIR 2008 (table number 52). This will be Shanghai’s first free admittance showcase event, bringing together both healthcare providers and representatives of the wider better-living community. The goal of this event is to provide the international community in Shanghai the opportunity to enrich their knowledge of health services available in Shanghai and offer them access to resources related to their health. With many important issues relating to the individual, family, workplace, and environment, the HEALTH FAIR is meant to empower the community by introducing them to the many options available and furthering awareness of Shanghai’s offerings. See website for more details. Tis the season for Yak Mooncakes Chinese culture has celebrated the Moon Festival on the 15th day of the 8th for thousands of years. Every year, family and friends reunite to eat moon cakes and watch the moon at its brightest and roundest. Loved ones even send moon cakes to those far away to remind them that they missed at home. Hence moon cakes have always been a gift of love and blessing. A wide variety of moon cakes a re now a vailable in the market, but few moon cakes focus on the true meaning of the moon festival. This year, Shokay brings to you our unique Yak Moon Cake - hand knit in the shape of a moon cake from yak down. It’s a perfect collectible for your family and friends! Order by September 5 for guaranteed delivery within Shanghai! Order at: events@shokay.com

Upcoming Taikang Lu Events

NEST:Upcoming ‘Last Wednesday’ Events

ORIGIN:Upcoming Exhibits

GENERAL EVENTS:Eco Design Fair FALL 2008

H&S EVENTS:Health Fair

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(h/t to Go Kunming) for highlighting the work PSI/ China in an interview earlier in August.

When I first came to China, the work being done in HIV/ AIDS was still highly touchy.  Full details over the blood contamination cases was jsut coming to light, the infection rates of HIV were still well guarded, and programs were still run through the military hospitals.

A slice of this is still visible through the interview where the Communications Director, Clare Ye Sheng, responded to a question

Have PSI programs met with any resistance from its target population on a cultural basis?

CYS: Although PSI is an international NGO based in the US, we strongly believe in local engagement as one of our primary working principles. PSI/China’s role is to support the government of China in combating HIV/AIDS and malaria. In addition, most of our staff are locally hired Chinese, so there are very few communication or cultural conflicts to deal with.

Obstacles that we do face derive mainly from a lack of awareness and correct knowledge of HIV/AIDS prevention and social norms regarding relationships amongst the vulnerable population that our programs aim to help. For example, many female sex workers believe that they can prevent the transmission of disease through hygiene alone, and many villagers view mosquito nets as a source of warmth in winter rather than a method of preventing mosquito-borne diseases. We work to correct these misconceptions through targeted intervention based on extensive research to understand the barriers for them to adopt healthy behavior.

Over time though, we have seen where NGOs have been able to construct partnerships at various levels and with varying degrees of scale, and the Population Services International group looks like it has developed a strong program in the Yunnan area.

One of China’s three hottest infection zones, the primary cause of HIV/ AIDS historically was related to its proximity to the golden triangle - Drug usage and unprotected sex.

Collaborating with local and international agencies, Population Services International highlights 5 HIV/ AIDS programs on their China website:

• Drop-In Centers for Injecting Drug Users (IDUs): The Kunming Center’s main objective is drug demand and risk reduction through dissemination of information, education and communication materials, counseling services, peer education, family activities, referral services and condom promotion.
• Peer Education for IDUs: a peer education program targeting the large percentage of IDUs who are incarcerated in government-run detoxification centers.
• Outreach to Women: two drop-in centers targeted at female commercial sex workers as a place to gather for entertainment, relaxation and exercise in a welcoming, non-judgmental environment.
• Cross-border Outreach: implementing cross-border HIV prevention and behavior change communication campaigns aimed at high-risk populations.
• Mass Media and Behavior Change:PSI is helping spotlight HIV/AIDS issues among the general public through mass media campaigns, often featuring Asian superstars such as Coco Lee and Jackie Chan.

They have also implemented several Malaria focused programs.

to learn more about PSI/ China, you can view their China site here, or download their PDF document Risk Behavior Among Injecting Drug Users in Yunnan Province, China.

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I have been to plenty of cities in China that when you get off a plane, you can literally be able to taste the products that a city produces. The grey / yellow sky acts as a backlight in a way as you can raraely see blue, yet it is often so bright that you need sunglasses. Coughing, burning, wheezing… and that is on a decent day for Lifen. Shot on scene over a week, this series form VPT will give you a clear representation of what challenges China’s growth has brought with it.35 minutes in total, this film presents an unfortunate picture of just how serious the air pollution for some is, and how it impacts everything in the society and economy.

In my mind, I am still scratching my head as to why Lifen and the other 15 cities on the most polluted list do not have programs in place to ensure that all the entities who play a role are being given assistance in paying for technologies, and are then being monitored to make sure they are using the technologies.

It is a problem that can be solved, and it is one that if left to continue will only get worse.With that being said, and with the finger pointed, I would like to also point out that there are solutions and that things are beginning to change, and western consumers themselves have a role in this as well.

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