"Laowai" in China | Rachel's journey of healing and helping

　　CHENGDU, May 17 (Xinhua) -- All eyes were on the beloved Rachel Grace Pinniger, nicknamed "Grandma Rachel," at a farewell event held in front of the handicrafts shop Blue Sheep in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province, in April.

　　Rachel Grace Pinniger (C-R, rear) tells a story of her life at her farewell event in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province, April 19, 2025. (Xinhua/Xu Bingjie)

　　Rachel, born in 1945 in England, has traversed conflict zones and disaster-hit areas after graduation from medical school to pursue a career of medical, healthcare and education services in more than a dozen of developing countries across Asia and Africa.

　　Rachel rushed to Sichuan in 2008, and devoted herself wholeheartedly to the Wenchuan earthquake relief efforts, and kept thinking how she could help more. In 2013, Rachel moved to Chengdu and founded Blue Sheep, named after the Himalayan mountain goats that thrive in the plateau's harsh natural environment.

　　Rachel Grace Pinniger arranges products at the handicrafts shop Blue Sheep in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province, April 19, 2025. (Xinhua/Xu Bingjie)

　　Rachel Grace Pinniger (C) attends a meeting with staff members of the handicrafts shop Blue Sheep in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province, April 11, 2025. (Xinhua/Xu Bingjie)

　　The shop deals handicrafts made by disabled artisans and struggling families. Over the past decade, the shop has supported more than 1,000 disadvantaged individuals in Sichuan.

　　Rachel Grace Pinniger (R) talks with a staff member at the handicrafts shop Blue Sheep in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province, April 19, 2025. (Xinhua/Xu Bingjie)

　　Rachel Grace Pinniger (2nd R) poses for photos with staff members inside Blue Sheep, a handicrafts shop, in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province, April 19, 2025. (Xinhua/Xu Bingjie)

　　Before her 80th birthday, Rachel decided to leave Chengdu and return to her hometown with precious memories. At the farewell event held by Blue Sheep's staff and volunteers, she said she would continue to care for those in need, and encourage the loving ones to keep their support for Blue Sheep and the artisans who craft hope with their deft fingers and steadfast minds.