Phase II of massage training classes for the blind peasants were kicked off on August 12 in Beijing. Cosponsored by the Bright Angel Fund of the Chinese Red Cross Foundation (CRCF) and the Global Development Charity Organization of Geneva, this -months' free program targets 200 blind rural residents as participants; while 80 students joined phase II training this time.

By now the Bright Angel Fund of CRCF has successfully sponsored 450 blind peasants for these massage classes who came from 12 provinces of the country. Most graduates, after the training, have found jobs and lived a better life.

Out of 83 million disabled people in China at present, 16.91 million are blind people of which 75% are rural residents. In recent years, living conditions of the blind have improved with the support and efforts from various governmental and nongovernmental organizations. Yet big gaps still exist between their overall living standards and that of the society average. More support and help are under way.