The German Embassy in Beijing provided 78,800RMB and the local contribution was 8,000RMB that bought 40 threshing machines for 285 Tibetan Households (1,400 Tibetans). Threshing grain in the traditional way requires much time and prevents women and girls from engaging in other productive activities. It is also an outdoor activity that exposes women and girls to harsh seasonal conditions and contributes to a pattern of chronic diseases. Previously, women and girls from these Tibetan communities worked around seven hours a day for months threshing grains; this task was added to an already overburdened household workload. Furthermore, as this task is performed during September, October, November, and parts of December, women and girls are subject to harsh weather conditions. Often, their toes and hands are covered with chilblains after they work for a week or so in the cold season. In addition, women are expected to do housework simultaneously and this increases the pain in their hands because they wash their hands repeatedly in cold water. The cold and wind in this high elevation area combined with labor responsibilities make women susceptible to various seasonal illnesses and such chronic maladies as arthritis. Fortunately, the German Embassy project has greatly alleviated these problems, especially for women and girls. Another important impact of the German Embassy project is to support certain of the most impoverished local households with the local contribution. Eight households (23 Tibetans) with disabled members and elderly people who have no means of support were selected as beneficiaries. These families face great difficulties in getting such basics as food and clothes. [Kham: Pizza & Tongxia Townships > Nagrong County > Ganze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture > Sichuan Province > PR China]