Rachel Grace Pinniger is pictured at her farewell event in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province, April 19, 2025.
All eyes were on the beloved Rachel Grace Pinniger, nicknamed "Grandma Rachel," at a farewell event held in front of Blue Sheep in April.
Rachel, 79, a native to 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 the handicrafts shop Blue Sheep, named after the Himalayan mountain goats that thrive in the plateau's harsh natural environment.
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.
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. (Xinhua/Xu Bingjie)
Rachel Grace Pinniger (R) displays a cartoon drawing made for her by a caring supporter in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province, April 11, 2025. (Xinhua/Xu Bingjie)
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 poses for a photo in front of the handicrafts shop Blue Sheep in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province, April 19, 2025. (Xinhua/Xu Bingjie)
Rachel Grace Pinniger (R) tells a story of her life at her farewell event in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province, April 19, 2025. (Xinhua/Xu Bingjie)
Rachel Grace Pinniger (R) introduces the story behind a felt bag to a citizen at a fair in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province, April 12, 2025. (Xinhua/Xu Bingjie)
Rachel Grace Pinniger (2nd R) listens to a disabled artisan's story of life at her farewell event in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province, April 19, 2025. (Xinhua/Xu Bingjie)
A supporter of the handicrafts shop Blue Sheep (R) offers a calligraphy work of hers as a farewell gift to Rachel Grace Pinniger (L) in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province, April 11, 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)
Rachel Grace Pinniger leaves a message for supporters of the handicrafts shop Blue Sheep in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province, April 19, 2025. (Xinhua/Xu Bingjie)
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 (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 Grace Pinniger (R) bids farewell to a staff member as she leaves the handicrafts shop Blue Sheep in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province, April 19, 2025. (Xinhua/Xu Bingjie)
