Silver Spring, Maryland-The People's Republic of China 's official Yearbook for 2005 was recently published, featuring the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA)'s community project in the Zaduo village, in China.

The Zaduo Community Development Project was aimed at assisting the people of the Zaduo village, located on the Tibetan Plateau more than 12,000 feet above seal level on the upper reach of the Mei Cong River.

The purpose of the project is to help the Zaduo people gain improved health through health and hygiene education, medical and eye exams, and the distribution of medicines, prescription eye-glasses and sun glasses.
"Proper eye wear with sufficient protection against ultra-violet rays is essential at such high levels of elevation, because ultra-violet rays can cause serious eye damage," said Art Schwarz, managing director for ADRA China.

ADRA volunteers Dr. Alfred Tataryn and Dr. Kenneth Ho served as leaders of the medical and eye consultations conducted with villagers.

"Accidents and disease have led to early death for many adults in the region around Zaduo," continued Schwarz. "This removes the support from the family and leaves children and the elderly without anyone to care for them. ADRA is also supporting the orphan school in the community as well, with food, furniture, clothing, and other needed supplies."

The project began in July 2004, and the current funding is slated to end in the summer of 2006. It is valued at an estimated $113,000, and is funded by ADRA International, in partnership with HELP International, A Better World, and the Chinese Mission of Seventh-day Adventists, as well as Crossroads International, Abbott Laboratories Hong Kong, Eversun Industrial Limited, The Lion's Club of Canada, and private individuals.

The People's Republic of China Yearbook is the most authoritative and comprehensive source for China's achievements in reformation, modernization, policy change and events. It is compiled by the Yearbook Editorial Board of Xinhua News Agency and is distributed worldwide in Chinese and English.

ADRA is present in 125 countries, providing community development and emergency management without regard to political or religious association, age, or ethnicity.

Additional information about ADRA can be found at www.adra.org.