Antioch Bridges International

On March 3, ABI hosted a “Dance for De’Ang” benefit performance event, raising funds for the ongoing projects helping minority villages in Asia. During the time of publicity, I addressed six reasons for initiating the event (see below). During the publicity, God opened many doors in the community including various society groups and radio media. We were able to announce the event through three local radio stations. The result is, many people came from various backgrounds in the community, and for the first time were exposed to this mission presentation.

Three Ballet Dance groups performed in the event. Light Of The World Ministries International is devoted to the project. Ashley Rollinson, director of the ministry choreographed the dance “You Are Special” and took the team to travel with us visiting village schools earlier this year. The team came all the way from Syracuse to State College for the benefit performance to support the projects. The Arts Conservatory Dancers in State College also joined in with a beautiful performance “Some and Others” choreographed by their vice director Lane Hagen. The third group, the Antioch International Church Dance Company, performed “I Saw the Light” with surprising creativity in which many of the 15 dancers were first timers and yet grooved perfectly in the dance.

I would like to specially thank to the friends, long-time and new, near and far, who took the time to understand what we do, to pray for the event, to participate with time and giving. ABI was able to wire $4,500 to the field director who is in charge of managing the projects.

- Sheng Tung

Click here to see a photo-video of the performances.

Reasons for the event

The purposes of the Dance for De’ang Fundraiser:

1.       To be the voice for those who have no voice – the underprivileged. 
The event is to bring awareness of the suffering and need of the De’ang people who live in the remote mountain villages of South Asia.

2.       Help break the cycle of poverty that has gone on for generations in this people group.  
The funds collected from Dance for De’ang will help support a regional farming project.  A training center has been built and the people from the region learn how to raise pigs and cows plus how to grow vegetables and sell them for a profit.  After their training they return to their villages and teach their own people the skills they’ve learned.

3.       To give the young generation greater opportunities – in their own lives and for their people group.
Part of the funds raised will support ongoing education projects.  There are eight schools in the villages that has been selected for the project.  The projects help students have sufficient resources to be able to read, write, paint and enjoy sporting activities.  The funds also help to train teachers as well as teach English to the students. 
So far, this project has increased the students’ school attendance rate to close to 100%.  It has also encouraged the local Government to become involved financially to help with the school facilities and educational programs.
(the average attendance rate for other schools is from 60%, 85%.)

4.       To help the people find their purpose in life and give them the hope as well as tools to live that purpose. 
In this region of Asia there are many problems that affect people’s ability to achieve their dreams – or to even dream.  Drug addiction, human trafficking and prostitution have helped spread HIV and the people believe there is no hope for them and there is nothing good for their lives.  The money raised from this event also provides a platform for Antioch Bridges International to speak to the people – to show them that someone cares and their lives are worth living.  It is possible to live with joy and hope – that is the legacy we want to leave there.

5. To build working relationships with the regional government in order to bring a long-lasting effect from the works of our NGO (non governmental organization).

    - We want the efforts and finances donated from ABI (Antioch Bridges International) to have a permanent affect on the region.  The only way to do that is for the government to come along side of us in our mission.

    6. To inspire our local community and connect them to this ethnic group.