Volunteers hand out daily necessities and stationery to students in the area. [Photo/China Daily]

"We are always trying to find new ways to truly support their sustainable life."

To better help families in particular need, a Warm Heart Fund project in 2013 financed two yaks for every poor family as suggested by schools.

In their recent visit, volunteers handed over yaks to 77 herding families purchased with about 400,000 yuan. The funds were raised at a charity auction held by and for BMW customers in June in Suzhou, Jiangsu province.

"The yak is the most cherish treasure in the grassland area," said Zha Yang, headmaster of Lawuga Village Primary School.

"The family may use up donated cash, but a yak can provide a longer and sustainable life for the whole family, as it produces milk for yogurt and yak dung can be burned for heating.

"It's the best way to help those families without a labor force or tools."

To support sustainable development of the area, in 2013 BMW joined with the Shan Shui Conservation Center for the nature protection in Sanjiangyuan region.

"Sanjiangyuan is a natural gift to promote a harmonious life between people and nature. It's the lifeblood of Yushu's future," said Engel. "To support the region, protection of Sanjiangyuan is absolutely necessary."

During the volunteer trip, BMW announced that it will donate 2 million yuan more to extend its cooperation with the conservation center until 2016.

In the next two years, under BMW's support, the center will research and work to conserve grassland ecosystems across some 43,000 sq km in Yushu. It also plans to impart environment protection knowledge and skills by offering training to at least 5,000 people in four counties in the region.

"Sanjiangyuan is one of the key regions to deal with the global climate change. The protection is not only for the Yushu region, but also for a long-term development of China, even Asia," said Lv Zhi, founder of the center.

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