When China’s 2008 earthquake devastated the world’s largest protected panda habitat, many of the bears were moved to the Befengxia Panda Preserve, a national research and breeding center in Sichuan Province that’s now home to more than 80 Giant Pandas. Among it’s 21 new voluntourism projects, Planeterra offers volunteers the chance to work with a trained panda master to deliver hands on care to the masked mascots of global conservation. Participants can also make visits to Shanghai, Beijing, and the great Wall. For more information, contact Planeterra.

There are currently 1,600 Giant Pandas in teh wild and 200 in captivity.

In one of our previous posts, we talked about Half the Sky Foundation, a non-profit organization who offers the love and concern of family for thousands of orphaned children in China who have lost theirs. By the end of 2010, the foundation will have 18 HTS Blue Sky Model Centers, 27 HTS Children’s Centers, and be helping orphaned children in 45 cities across China.

So I was elated when my bookclub decided to read Half the Sky by Nicholas Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn as this month’s book selection. The title, as well as the namesake for the none profit organization is based on an ancient Chinese proverb that says “Women hold up half the sky”. With that in mind, Kristof and WuDunn chronicled their meetings of an extraordinary array of women struggling under profoundly dire circumstances—and an equally extraordinary group that have triumphed. Through their stories, Kristof and WuDunn help us see that the key to progress in our world lies in unleashing women’s potential—and they make clear how each of us can help make that happen.

According to Carolyn See of the Washington Post, Half the Sky is a call to arms, a call for help, a call for contributions, but also a call for volunteers. It asks us to open our eyes to this enormous humanitarian issue.

Sherly was the recipient of the distinguished alumna from Cornell’s Asian Alumni Association 5 years ago. During her acceptance speech, she talked about the foundation and what we can all do to help save the lives of women and children in those developing nations. I hope you enjoy this book and help find hope for those in need. Please help us spread the word about this wonderful organization and the works Sheryl and her husband have started.

Yes, we love Grace Lin as much as you do.  Besides her beautiful artwork and books, there are more reasons to love her.  Every month, at Small Graces, she auctioned an unpublished, original painting of hers and the proceeds will benefit the Foundation of Children’s Books.  All 100% of it!  The Foundation of Children’s Books is a small non-profit, educational organization in Boston to help children develop the love of reading and learning.  Here’s the August picture to give you a little peek.  I think this is really cool!!

Designed for easy portability, these collapsible chopsticks are made from recycled white ash wood from baseball bats. An alternative to disposable chopsticks, they have stainless-steel and brass stems that unscrew for storage in the included pouch.

These are not only stylish, they are also great for the environment. So the next time you order Chinese, enjoy it with your own carry on chopsticks.

Half the Sky Foundation is a non-profit organization who currently operates 18 permanent Family Villages in China for orphaned children whose physical and developmental challenges will preclude them from being adopted.

Sometimes we take it for granted for how fortunate we are, reading their stories really gave me a new perspective.  There are many ways you can help, so please check them out.