January 22nd, 2010, was the laba Rice Porridge Festival in China (December 8th in lunar calendar), in common jargon “the jaw will be frozen in December 7th and 8th”. Such cold weather couldn’t stop the feeling of happiness of the Animal Health Workers and leaders from the Prefecture AHB, Prefecture Animal Epidemic Disease Prevention and Control Center, Longjing City AHB, Longjing city government, leaders from other township veterinary stations, and government to attend the opening of the biggest veterinary station in Laotougou township, Lonjing city. Dr. Javier Burchard, Livestock Health Extension Services Project (LHESP) manager, was invited to attend this ceremony.

During the ceremony, Dr. Javier Burchard not only gave a sincere speech touching the chords of everybody’s heart, but also opened this veterinary station together with the head of prefecture AHB, Mr. Zhou Zhiming, Mr. Cui, Party committee secretary of the of Laotougou township and the head of Longjing City AHB, Mr. Huowei. It is worthwhile mentioning the outstanding performance of head of this station, Madame Yuan Li, who attended many LHESP trainings. These training, not only enhanced her knowledge, but also developed her skills to increase the quality of her extension and technical services. As one member of MTOT team, she was highly recognized by her leaders. In the coming weeks, with the LHESP, Jilin PMO and MTOT core members support, Mrs. Yuan will deliver grassroots trainings using the participatory method.

This just inaugurated station is a merging of three county stations, becoming, with the support and effort from Prefecture AHB, Longjing City AHB, Longjing City and Laotougou township government, the biggest township veterinary station established in the pilot county Longjing. This station will play an important role in animal health extension in the pilot county, which will further facilitate the extension team building from Prefecture to city, and township to village levels; promoting an extension service network and lay a sound foundation for project sustainable in Yanbian.
 

AHWs and leaders from Yanbian prefecture, Longjing City and other township veterinary stations and government officials attending the opening ceremony	Dr. Javier Burchard giving a sincere speech during the opening ceremony	Dr. Javier Burchard opening this veterinary station with Mr. Zhou Zhiming, Mr. Cui, the secretary of the Party committee of Laotougou township government and the head of Lonjing City AHB, Mr. Huowei