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Tuesday, May 26, 2015


Jiang Limin's Experiences as a Law Intern
姜丽敏法律实习生的经历
A hard but Unforgettable Internship 
那是一段痛苦而又难忘的经历.
This is the First Tribunal, and it also is the biggest adjudication division in Guangzhou Intermediate People's Court. I took this picture while I watched the court. 这是广州市中院最大的法庭--第一审判庭,我在旁听时拍下了这张照片。
This is the First Tribunal, and it also is the biggest adjudication division in Guangzhou Intermediate People's Court. I took this picture while I watched the court. 
这是广州市中院最大的法庭--第一审判庭,
我在旁听时拍下了这张照片。
I Want to Share my Experience.
我想分享一下我的经历.
At the beginning of this semester, I took 2 months to do an internship in Guangzhou Intermediate People's Court. It was a hard but unforgettable internship. During the internship, I learnt a lot of practical skills from lawyers and judges. Of course, I also met a lot of new friends.

这个学期,我在广州市中级人民法院进行了两个月的实习。那是一段痛苦而又难忘的经历,我认识了很多新朋友,也学到了很多法律实务
技巧。 
This picture was taken at the courthouse entrance. That was our first time to go to the Guangzhou Intermediate People Court. 这是我们在广州市中院门口拍的照片。
This picture was taken at the courthouse entrance. That was our first time to go to the Guangzhou Intermediate People Court.  这是我们在广州市中院门口拍的照片。

According to the arrangement, I was sent to the first criminal court. The First Criminal Court of Guangzhou Intermediate People's Court has a glorious past. There are many influential cases of the court, and the judges are all very excellent. I still remember the first time when I came into the office to greet them I was so nervous. I worried that I was not good enough. However, they were so kind and friendly. They not only taught me a lot of legal knowledge but also told me a lot of truth in life. When I had problems, they were all generous with their time to answer me. I have not seen them for about a month, and I miss them so much. 
根据安排,我进入了广州市中院的刑一庭,刑一庭有着非常光辉的历史,它曾经审理过很多全国闻名的大案。仍记得第一次走进办公室跟大家打招呼的时候,我真的很紧张。可是,法官们都很亲切。我从他们身上不仅学到了很多专业知识,还学习到了很多做人的道理。而每当我有问题的时候,他们总会耐心地为我解答。现在,我的实习已经结束了,可是我真的很想念他们。

This is my Internship Certification. Without it I cannot enter the court everyday. 这是我的实习证,每天进出法院的通行证。
This is my Internship Certification. Without it I cannot enter the court everyday. 这是我的实习证,每天进出法院的通行证。
My main work during the internship was to compile massive incriminating dossiers and make and send material to lawyers, prosecutors and parties. The materials included indictments, criminal judgements, notices of criminal execution and etc. Sometimes I tried writing orders of second instances, and the judge helped me to modify it. It requires extra care to practice law because a wrong word may change someone's whole life. Cases in the Guangzhou Intermediate People's Court are very substantial, and the judges are very stressed, 


我在法院的工作主要有整理案件资料、制作送达法律文书等。有时候,我还要写二审的裁定书,写完之后交由法官定稿。法律工作需要非常细心,因为一个字的错误都可能会影响一个人的一生。广州市中院的案子非常多,因而法官的工作压力特别大。

During my internship, I often went to the detention center which let me encounter many criminal suspects. When I saw criminal suspects, who had lost their liberty in the detention center, I always thought what if they had not done anything wrong. I once interrogated a woman who was accused of illegal possession of drugs. She told me her husband was in prison, and nobody looked after her two little daughters. So she asked for probation. I felt sorry for her but it is impossible to modify the first instance judgement. In China, many offenders lack concept and knowledge of legality. The education levels of most of them are very low, and most of them come
This picture was taken outside the detention center. The kapok blossom is beautiful, but the people who lost their liberty could not see it. 这是在看守所门口拍的。木棉花开得正盛,高墙之内的人却看不到。
This picture was taken outside the detention center. The kapok blossom is beautiful, but the people who lost their liberty could not see it. 这是在看守所门口拍的。木棉花开得正盛,高墙之内的人却看不到。
 from poor areas. I think the criminals are very pitiful, but they are also very detestable. Many victims were seriously wounded, but they had no money to accept medical treatment. The accused also had no money to compensate the victims. Mothers lost their children. These pains will be never be forgotten. Above all, everyone must abide by the law. That is the best responsibility for ourselves and other people. 
实习期间,我经常要去看守所,这让我接触到了各种各样的犯罪嫌疑人。每当我看到被关押的嫌疑人时,我总会想如果他们没有犯罪那该多好。有一次,我提审一个一审被判非法持有毒品罪的女人,她跟我说她的丈夫在监狱里,两个小女儿没有人照顾,请求法官判其缓刑。当时我真的很难过,因为我知道这个案子并没有改判的可能。在中国,很多犯罪分子都缺乏法律意识,他们的教育水平普遍偏低,而且大部分都来自贫困地区。这让我觉得那些犯人既可怜又可恨,一些被害人被打成重伤或残疾,却没有钱接受全面治疗,而被告人往往也没有钱进行赔偿。犯罪还会让母亲失去自己的孩子,这会造成永远不能抹平的痛。总而言之,遵守法律是对自己及他人最大的负责。

I did not want to be a lawyer before my internship, because I thought it was hard to pass the bar exam, and the wages were very small. Now I have changed my mind. I want to be a lawyer no matter how difficult the work will be. A month ago, my cousin knocked a car when he rode a motorcycle. In fact, the car did not have big damage and the insurance company also accepted the claim. However, the car owner asked my cousin to pay him 10,000 yuan. He said if my cousin did not do that, he would sue my cousin, and the police would take my cousin to prison. My cousin did not have so much money, and he didn't know the law. He asked me what to do. I told him the compensation was unreasonable and that it was just a civil case, so he did not need to worry. When the car owner found my cousin understood the law, and he accepted the 2,000 yuan compensation. It was the first time I felt I could use law to help people. I was really very happy. 
Jiang Limin
Jiang Limin 姜丽敏 (Becky)

  实习之前,我从来没想过以后要从事法律工作,因为司法考试太难了,而律师工资也很低。可是,现在我却非常想成为一个律师。一个月前,我的表哥骑摩托车的时候不小心撞到了一辆小汽车。那部车只是刮花了一点而已,根本没有什么大问题,保险公司也接受了理赔,可是车主却要求我表哥赔偿10000元,还说如果我表哥不赔钱就会让警察去抓我表哥。我表哥家里很穷,也不懂法律。后来他问我该怎么办,我就跟他说这只是民事案件,如果车主向法院起诉,法院会根据具体的损失来计算赔偿金额,不用担心。后来,车主知道我表哥清楚法律的规定,才不情愿地接受了2000元的赔偿。这是我第一次觉得我能用法律去帮助别人,我真的很开心。

Emily Dickinson said in a poem:
 If I can stop one heart from breaking,
I shall not live in vain; 
If I can ease one life the aching, 
Or cool one pain, 
Or help one fainting robin 
Unto his nest again, 
I shall not live in vain. 
I like this poem so much. I think being a lawyer can realize my dream. I hope I can make society fairer through my efforts.  I hope I can make society fairer through my efforts. Now, I am preparing for the National Judicial Examination. I'm sure I will pass the exam, because I try my best. 
狄金森曾在她的诗里写道,"如果我能解除一个生命的痛楚,平息一种酸楚,帮助一只昏厥的知更鸟,重新回到巢中,我就不虚此生。"我很喜欢这首诗,我相信如果我能成为一名律师,我就可以运用我的法律知识为促进社会的公平尽自己的一份力。现在,我正在准备司法考试,我相信一定会成功。  
I always think I am a very lucky woman. Because of the disease (Ankylosing Spondylitis), I was so desperate. Thanks to Blessing Hands' help and my family and friends' love, I was encouraged to pass the difficult days. After a year of therapy, I became better. I now realize that cheerfulness is health. Its opposite, melancholy, is disease. Thanks again for Blessing Hands' help, I know I will be better and better, and I will repay society one day as you have given to me.
 一直以来,我都觉得自己是一个非常幸运的人。因为自己患上了一种挺严重的病,我也曾失望过。可是,有祝福手的帮助以及亲人朋友的关心,我就觉得可能这病只是我为这些幸福所付出的必要利息。而经过一年多的治疗,我的病情已好转了很多。或许,忧郁才是最大的病魔,而欢乐就是健康。我真的很感谢祝福手,我相信未来我一定会变得越来越好,而我也会把祝福手的爱传递下去。
 I don't have money to donate now, but I still want to do something good for Blessing Hands. Perhaps it's not modesty to say this, but I think I am good at writing. I just want to say I am willing to write Chinese copy writing for Blessing Hands. If you trust me, I will try my best to do that. 
现在的我并没有足够的经济能力进行捐款,但我仍然希望能尽我所能为祝福手做一些有用的事。我自认为文笔还不错,可能这样说很不谦虚,但我觉得我可以为祝福手写中文文案。如果你们相信我,我一定会尽最大的努力去做好!
We welcome anyone to write to us about their experiences and feelings about Blessing Hands. I love to hear the success stories of our students.

我们欢迎每一个人向我们分享他们的经历以及对祝福手的感受。我会很高兴地去聆听祝福手学生的每一个故事。Share Feedback反馈分享  
Green
Betty Cutts: Director/Founder
Blessing Hands | 606 207 4785 | Bdcutts@blessing-hands.org 

Friday, May 22, 2015

Coming Trip to China


Shenfu  and Renjie Schools
       

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Our First Students are Graduating From College

Marya in 2006
Marya in 2006
I recently got this letter from Marya Zhang 张菊 from Yangshuo. She wrote to tell me she is graduating from college this spring after being one of our students since middle school. I was touched by her letter and want to share it with you. 

Marya in College
Marya 
"I write to you today to give thanks for helping me these years. The help is not just the money, but the warmth. Every time I think that there is someone who cares for me at a distance, it means so much to me. I believe even many years later, and no matter how I live a life, I will remember this warmth forever.  But the most words I want to say is thank you for treating me as a special one. In the ocean of crowds, you chose me to help, and we have developed a relationship for 10 years. I think it's the most amazing thing, and I cherish it so much."

Marya has caught our vision that people are special and to be treasured. Blessing Hands wants to set an example of the value of each person and encourage them to value the lives of others.

I will never forget her either. We have helped over 1000 students, but those first students are still very special to me. Marya  has a degree in International Trade from Guangxi University of Nationalities. 

Sincerely,
Betty Cutts
Blessing Hands 

Summer Trip Plans with many Volunteers
June 26 - July 16

Water Purifier Team Volunteers
Water Purifier Team Volunteers

I will be traveling with the East Oldham Water Purifier group again to Yangshuo in June. Five of the school's teachers and staff will be putting in 5 water purifiers in primary schools in Yangshuo. The Gao family will also be sending a Chinese purifier team from their construction company in Kunming. They usually bring piping and faucets. 

Eddy Wu from Hong Kong will also join them. Eddy has a goal of manufacturing purifiers for poor schools all over China. He is a trained engineer and a former manager of a water purification factory that made purifiers for use in Western homes. In his retirement, he wants to help more rural students have clean water. 

Shao Tongchong with  a  Shenfu Student
Shao Tongchong with a Shenfu Student
In the Guanzhou County of the Guilin Prefecture, Shao Tongchong will take us to see the students at Shenfu Primary School that she helps us sponsor. 

Sponsors and volunteers will join us in Liuzhou on July 2nd to see our new program there. Tina Qin has done a great job of helping 12 special students there. We will take two days and visit homes and schools in Wuxuan area. 

Students in Wuxuan with Tina Qin
Students in Wuxuan with Tina Qin



After being in Nanning for Sunday the 5th scholarship dinner, on July 6th we will go to Du'an County where Dr. Dai  helps us give school supplies to remote Yao minority primary schools and sponsor health assistants at those schools. I am looking forward to seeing Wei Senbao and his four cousins being raised by their grandmother. He is doing very well, and his scar is not noticeable. I am so glad we helped him overcome his birth defect.  We also help other poor families in Longfu Township with Dr. Dai's help.
Wei Senbao and his cousin with school supplies
Wei Senbao and his cousin Senyan with school supplies


We will also visit the Du'an Special Education School to dedicate 18 computers supporters have given to the school. We promised 42 when we visited last year. If you would like to help buy more computers for this school to help the handicapped students have occupational therapy, you can give here. Each desktop computer cost about $500, but you can give any amount on our website. Give any amount for a computer.

We will visit Qinzhou where we have 160 high school students who need tuition support. We are planning to emphasize 3 hours of volunteer work for high school students each semester like we have always done for the college scholarship students. Pan Yanlin is an orphan, but her outgoing attitude shows through. I am including part of a recent letter from her. She has caught the idea of being a blessing hand to others.  

Pan  Yanlin with Betty Cutts
Pan Yanlin with Betty Cutts
 "Today, I went to the hospital to do some social work. I helped the people who came there for the first time. They don't know where they should go and what they should do before healing. They said  I'm was so friendly and perfect. They said ."Thank you very much; What a great girl!" I am so happy too that I can help others who need help. I enjoy helping. Doing something simple for others is my pleasure." 

Finally we will visit with some of the 30 new Miao minority children we support near Kunming in Yunnan. Wang Huizhong 王会忠 is our volunteer administrator there. We hope a new sponsor will be able to visit some of the students they support and see their need and way of life. 
Long Yalin's father receives his school aid.
Long Yalin's father receives his school aid. Click to see more.

Kayla Mitchell, a college student at Morehead State University, will be traveling with us. Matthew Liu will also accompany us. Other friends, volunteers, and former visiting scholars will help us along the way. Blessing Hands has developed a big family. You can see some of our volunteers on our pinterest board.

We know that we could never bless all these families and children without your support. Thank you for your generosity.  

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Qin Xiaoping Asks for High School Tuition

Guilin Student Seeks Help

This student is in her last year of high school next year. She wants to finish high school, but her family has many expenses and problems.  She wrote her story to ask for your help. 
Qin Xiaoping
Qin Xiaoping
About My Family


My name is Qin Xiaoping. I am from a poor family living in a remote rural area. I keep good grades and honor my parents. Both of my parents are in poor health. My granny, who is eighty-two this year, is paralyzed, and can't take care of herself. Another member of my family, my uncle, is a cripple, who is too clumsy to do hard work. My older sister, who is 5 years older than me, is more mature than her age. She had to drop out of school owing to my schooling. Therefore, I want to greet you, who are unknown to me. Thanks for extending your hands to those who are in need!

Life for my family was peaceful at one time, but it didn't last long. My Mom suffered a kind of disease from mold before I was born. Fortunately, both I and my Mom were safe when I was born. My Mom went to work in the fields shortly after my birth. I tried to do what I could to help relieve the burden on my parents from my earliest childhood. I realized this could change little for my family, but it was my instinct to behave, even though we were not blessed enough in our family. My Mom got a kidney stone in 2008. We went borrowing money up and down from our kinfolks, and the surgery was done at last. One day I went to the hospital. I wanted to have a look at my Mom. I could see nobody in the ward in the hospital. When I lifted the bed sheets, I was terrified that my Mom had gotten so thin. She was such a tiny figure there in the bed. She was too weak to speak to me! Tears came to my eyes, and the pain stuck through my whole body.

Unlucky accidents came upon our family one after another. One year later, my mother was diagnosed with diabetes. Heaven just made a joke on our family. How can disaster strike my mother once again? Thus all the burden was loaded on the shoulders of my father, and his hair turned gray overnight. From then on my older sister left home to take a temporary job for the family. I knew all this was done for me. She laid all her dreams upon me. 

 
The year I finished my junior middle school, my granny fell over and was hurt. She had to be hospitalized for a while. After leaving the hospital, she could barely walk and talk to people. I could only bury all of the pain deep in my heart. Last year my Mom suddenly had a high fever and had to be hospitalized for over one month, which cost us over ten thousand yuan. We don't even know what kind of disease it is. We went from one hospital to another. One day as I pushed my Mom in a wheelchair, she vomited a kind of yellow saliva abruptly. I could do nothing but cried for this bitter circumstance. I just dream of breaking through this predicament and building a peaceful place for members of my family. I want to repay them for their sacrifice for me!

 A swaying bell needs wind and flowers need green leaves.  I need a pair of wings. If I am offered wings, I want to fly high into the sky. I want to fly over the mountains, and I want to protect my family with my matured wings, and I dedicate myself to my country as well!

Sincerely yours,

Qin Xiaoping  
Class 186, Grade 2, Daxu High School 

 
Please sponsor Xiaoping for $180 a year. You can give $90 per semester. You can be the answer to her problems.   Become Xiaoping's Sponsor


Our immediate goal is to improve the lives of Chinese students and keep them in school. Our larger goal is to grow our own charitable force that can take loving and caring for others wherever they go for the rest of their lives. We want them not just to become rich and prosperous, but to become kind and loving to those who are suffering as they once did. 

Betty Cutts - Founder/Director
Blessing Hands
106 Timber Lane
Morehead, KY 40351
606 207 4785