China Earthquake Appeal (Sichuan Province, May 2008)

The China Earthquake appeal is now closed

31 December 2008

A total of AUD$27,480 was raised for the purchase of classroom infrastructure for students and teachers.

Congratulations to all the schools and students who participated in the China Earthquake Appeal.

Did you know?

• The earthquake that hit China was of 7.9 magnitude
• An estimated 5 million people in China are homeless as a result of the earthquake
• Over 7,000 aftershocks have been recorded since the original earthquake struck
• Over 6,900 schools were destroyed impacting hundreds of thousands of Chinese students

Life story: Chen Jianquan

This is the story of Chen Jianquan. Here he is, pictured (right).

"The class was almost over when the classroom started shaking. Some students screamed that an earthquake had come. We tried to get out in a hurry, but we were on the third floor then. The teacher shouted at us to not rush out but instead hide in corners or under desks. I know that some students who rushed out were injured in the leg by falling stairs."

"After it was over, I got home alone and found it was empty. I learnt later on that my father had gone out to look for my mother and brother. My father and brother got back in the evening, but my mother is still missing… My mother was working at the cement plant. We were sent here at about 2:00 pm the next day. Now my father is out to build roads, and I stay here alone. I don't know whether he will come back today."

"I needn't worry about having enough food here, but have nothing to read. I've read my brother's Grade-One mathematics book three times. There is still no news from the school, but we can't go back for school lessons; that's for sure."

"What I hope for the most is to find my mother. I am sure she will return to me! I am also hoping I can go back to school."

"I hope I will have many pals…and many many good books!"

Chen Jianquan is a 12 year old, grade-six student in Leigu Primary School in Beichuan County. Six days after the earthquake, his mother was still missing.

Inside, Chen Jainquan is screaming, but outwardly, he is still confident that all of his family members can get together. He went to the site where families could try to reunite with each other, with his father and younger brother, but his mother was not there. His father helped out in the rescue with other men while Chen remained in a temporary shelter.

Chen feels anxious because there are no books to read, except for the mathematics book of his younger brother ... which only brings a little comfort. He hopes that he will be able to read many books one day.

Responses from students at Harrietville Primary School, VIC

Life story: Qiao Sisi

This is the story of Qiao Sisi. She is pictured here.

"We were having a lesson when the earthquake came. The teacher told us to leave the building. Our school building didn't fall down because it was newly built.

"All of my over 50 classmates got out of the building, including our teacher. We were soon gathered together on the playground by the teacher. Some were frightened to tears. I was also scared, but I didn't cry…a long time after that, I saw my grandma. She held me in her arms and I cried…

"We are offered three meals a day here. We have bread, water and candies! I am eager to go to school now, because I can't have lessons here.

"I live with my grandma here [at a temporasry shelter]. My mother and stepfather went to work in Jiangsu as migrant laborers. And my one-year-old sister stays with them.

"They didn't come back after the quake, but my uncle, who is also working there, returned. I know they are working hard for my education. I miss them much, but can't give them a phone call. I am also missing my sister.

"It rained hard right after the quake. We couldn't find shelter after our house fell down, but we were brought here later on.

" I have made many friends since I came here nearly two days ago. It would be fabulous if we could play somewhere in this place."

Qiao Sisi is a 7 year old grade-one student in Renjiaping Primary School in Beichuan County.

Since it was a newly-built school, the number of casualties caused by the earthquake was relatively few there. The school building is now out of service due to severe damage.

Qiao Sisi is one of many left-behind children and is being taken care of by her grandma. Her grandma and her were taken to Mianyang and given a temporary shelter 3 days after the quake.

Qiao Sisi has an incredible smiling face and graceful behaviour. Maybe she is too young to understand what the catastrophe means. She feels quite satisfied that she can play with her new friends.

Responses from Glenunga International High School students

Congratulations to the students of Year 8 Chinese at Glenunga International High School who are the first to submit their responses to Sisi's story! We'd like to share them with you here:

Responses from Harrietville Primary School students in Victoria

Life story: Yang Xiaojuan, Age 10

Summary

Yang Xiaojuan is a Grade-Four student in Qiuxin Primary School in Beichuan County, Sichuan Province. She is much luckier than many other children affected by the quake as her parents, who worked in a distant place, returned and connected with her shortly after the quake happened.

Though the relocation site is no match for her family house, she still feels quite fortunate because her parents are here. All of their houses were destroyed by the quake.

On learning that we plan to build the Child Activity Centre, she said she hoped we could build houses big enough to provide shelters to anyone.

Yang Xiaojuan's Story

"This is my lunch, a bowl of conjee and a piece of bread, but it's enough for me.

There are two two-story buildings at our school. Our classroom is on the first floor of the newly-built one, which survived the earthquake. The other one was destroyed, but all the students managed to get out before it collapsed. Only four out of over 100 students were injured during the quake.

My parents are working outside the city as migrant laborers. They came back soon after the quake, and we are living here now with my grandma and my uncle's family. I know that I am a very lucky compared too the other affected children.

There is still no news about the school, but I think the school will begin the next month.

Our house fell down. It'll be very great if there is a very huge house in the centre."

Interview conducted by Li Yahui, during an assignment to Sichuan Province, China in May 16, 2008.

Life Story: Wang Xin Age 11 & her young sister Wang Sijia

Summary

Wang Xin is in grade five in Qingping Primary School. After earthquake, her mother took her and her young sister to the tent camp in Mianzhu City. Sometimes Wang Xin attends the tent school, however, since her sister Wang Sijia became ill, her primary job has consisted of taking care of her sister.

She likes to take her sister to the Child Friendly Space. In the Child Friendly Space, Wang Xin can do what she likes. She has made a few new friends here. This morning, she taught her sister to write down her name.

Wang Xin & Wang Sijia's Story

Wang Xin said, "I can not remember how long we have been staying here. The earthquake destroyed our house. Then we were sent here along with other people. After the earthquake, my father came back to see us from his workplace in another city. He stayed with us for a week. Then he had to leave again in order to earn money. He said he had to work and could not live with us. He traveled to Yunnan Province to seek a job.

Our school building collapsed as well. So far I have not recieved notice of a resume date for the school. Sometimes our teachers come to the camp to see us. There are temporary tent classes here with a library which I like very much. But we have to take turns because the classes were designed for students of a different grade. These days, since my sister became ill, I do not go to the tent school and instead take her to the Child Friendly Space to play.

I made a few friends in this Space. Two girls are getting along well with me. They also came here from my hometown but we were in different schools. Sometimes they help me look after my sister. My sister and I both like drawing. Yet we do not draw very well. I drew that picture to express my wishes.

The Space is much better than our tent camp. Here we can play whatever we like. I like the teachers (Save the Children staff and volunteers) in the Space too."

Interview conducted by Li Yahui, during an assignment to Sichuan Province, China in June 12, 2008.

Life story: Liu Chunyan

Summary

Liu Chunyan is a grade four student who formerly lived in Chaping Township, Anxian County, Sichuan Province. Now she temporarily studies in Kunming.

Chunyan is a clever girl running across the audience during the break. "She is as clever as any other child and is easy to find friends. She is a typical girl of her age," says Teacher Yang, a temporary caregiver in the Kunming based camp. For Chunyan, the best thing in the camp is to meet more friends that can bring about joy to her.

Liu Chunyan 's Story

"The first day that I came here, I acquainted some game partners from the Children's Advisory Panel. Guli over there has curled hair, and she comes from Xinjiang. She is my best friend because she is of my similar age. We play games in the same group.

I am the only child in our class that comes to Kunming. Originally I worried that I might be neglected. Now I make friends and become accustomed to the new life here.

I like drawing together with others. On a big board that I have never experienced I draw what I want to express under the guidance of the teacher, such as the new homestead. Children like me from Sichuan draw houses on the board and other children help us to draw sun and blue sky...

I take delight in the Summer Camp, playing games with friends from across the country. By the way, I have learned some new things and have enjoyed myself very much."

Liu Chunyan plays happily with new friends in the camp, above (Photo: Save the Children)

Background

Chunyan was one of 40 earthquake-affected children invited to temporarily relocate to Kunming, Yunnan for the "Hand-in-hand" Happy Summer Camp to discuss with 40 child advisors from the Children's Advisory Panel of Save the Children on the needs and roles of children in disaster risk reduction, and to listen to their opinions on reconstruction and increase their participation.

Interview conducted by Li Yahui, on 24 July, 2008.

Life story: Zhou Jinmei, 2 and her grandmother

Summary

Two-year-old Jinmei comes to the Baby Bathing Station with her grandmother. Jinmei's mother was injured in the earthquake, having her right leg removed, and was transferred to Shanghai for further treatment. Jinmei has not seen her mother for a month and feels pretty sad. She now stays with her grandparents in the tent camp.

Jinmei's skin has gotten a heat-rash even though her grandparents wash her everyday. Since her grandmother found Save the Children's Baby Bathing Station near the camp they stay, she has been happy because the Bathing Station is clean and provides bath kits especially designed for children with such necessities as soap, a towel, and baby powder. The Bathing Station could help to ease Jinmei's skin problems.

Pictured Right: After taking a bath, Jinmei wears beautiful clothing (Photo: Save the Children)

Zhou Jinmei's Story

Jinmei's grandma said, "The child needs to take a shower twice every day, especially now that it is becoming hot. If she does not take frequent showers, her skin develops a heat-rash. Before coming here, I took her to my relative's house to wash. In the camp, there is no space for children to have a bath.

Her mother was injured and had her right let removed. She was sent to Shanghai to receive further treatment. Jinmei's father went back to Chongqing to work. She is so upset because she has not seen her mother since the earthquake. I did not know how to explain what happened to her mother. We just told her that her mother left home to seek a job in another place like her father…

Our house was on the mountain area. The earthquake was so horrible. It made two mountains collapse into each other. Our house was destroyed and were not able to take anything out from the house. I was only recently able to buy two new sets of clothing for Jinmei. This silk skirt is very expensive but I thought that this might make her happy.

There are mosquitoes these days. Jinmei is getting mosquito bites on her face. Stuff like towels, soap, and a plastic basin could be bought a few days after the earthquake. But there was no baby soap or baby powder. You are very thoughtful to provide these for children.

I will take her here to have a bath everyday from now on. When her mother comes back, she will be happy to see a healthy daughter."

Interview conducted by Li Yahui, during an assignment to Sichuan Province, China in June 12, 2008.

Life Story: Yu Xiaoyan

Summary

When we saw Yu Xiaoyan, she was crying, nestled up to a psychological support volunteer. Since her mother is no where to be found, she has been depressed and the support of volunteers seems to be of little help. Currently, there are two types of mental problems among the children at the relocation site: one is the concerns for family members and the other is the yearning for peers and school life. They really need the help of professionals.

Yu Xiaoyan's Story

"I just know that the child's name is Yu Xiaoyan and that her mother is missing. As to other information like her father, other families and her house, she just keeps silent. The only thing I can do is to quietly accompany her and give her support and comfort.

She is in a terrible mood, and she cries all the time. She doesn't understand why so many searchers can't find her mother in Beichuan. She said she would rather die here if they can't find her mother.

We began one-on-one psychological support at this relocation site yesterday, primarily in order to gain a general picture of the site. The site sees a large number of kids from Beichuan, including some orphans. Currently, our key target groups are the most vulnerable groups, including children, seniors and women. Everyone's situation is unique, as are their concerns. The concerns of some elders and women are very specific, such as local funeral customs. We would never know what they are thinking if we didn't communicate with them.

"The children mainly have two types of emotions. One is the anguish of losing loved ones. Many kids are worried about their missing families because they had been urgently transferred to the site from severely affected areas. The other emotion is the yearning for teachers and students or peers. For kids, the sense of companion is quite important. Young children have little experience of disasters, so it will be to their benefit if we can help them integrate themselves among their peer group.

Besides, some children can become aggressive because of the concerns for families, and this can be very dangerous. Internationally, some experts have concluded that the tragedy in early childhood will make approximately 30-50% of affected children live in a shadow the rest of their lives, and those who turned aggressive are prone to have long-term psychological problems."

Interview conducted by Li Yahui, during an assignment to Sichuan Province, on May 16, 2008.

Pictured above: Xiaoyan is comforted by a Save the Children relief worker.

Pictured below: The kids are writing encouraging words on the "wish wall" at the relocation site. (Photos: Save the Children)

Life Story: Zhao Weiyi, 9

Summary

Inconsistent with her age, nine-year-old Zhao Weiyi seems shy, maybe because she lives in a mountainous area. Her family is so poor that she is only in Grade 2, and her clothes are made of her relatives'. She understands the family's hardships, and worries that the life will become more difficult. After the earthquake, Weiyi was anxious at home. Returning to school makes her feel better. Although the school operates in tents, teachers and students have new desks and chairs. Weiyi believes what teachers said, "Everything will become fine."

Zhao Weiyi's Story

"The earthquake has changed the school and the family (environment) a lot. The school buildings and family houses have become decrepit. The school has been pulled down. But we still live in our house that was only renovated.

The earthquake suspended our classes. But the classmates live near each other and know we are all OK. This makes us relieved. After the earthquake, I helped with some chores at home. Usually my mother labours on the farm, and my father renovates the house. I would boil water for him. My parents sometimes talk about our future life, but they would not let me hear. I think our future life definitely will be affected.

My teacher visited us once in a few days, assigning some homework. Therefore I spent about two hours on homework every day. Every time the teacher visited, he would say the school would be resumed soon. Later it happened indeed. I was very glad, but later I knew that we would have classes in tents in the temple… The tents are fairly hot when the sun comes out.

Teachers tell us not to worry, because we will have bunk houses soon. They say everything will become fine. Right, now we have new yellow desks and chairs, which previously I only saw on TV. The skirt I wear is given by a relative. Although it's old, I like it. And I'm happy to learn that my friends also think it's beautiful."

Interview conducted by Li Yahui, during an assignment to Sichuan Province, China in July, 2008.

Pictured above: Weiyi becomes lively again while staying with classmates. Pictured below: Weiyi seems shy, and her clothes are made of her relatives' clothes.(Photos: Save the Children)

Life Story: Jin Xin, 12

Summary

Although Jin Xin is 12 years old, he looks like a boy of ten years because of his little figure. Jin Xin is one of the clever children in the eyes of the teacher because Jin Xin can talk eloquently in strong logic sense. Jin Xin feels lucky enough that he can learn in such a good camp after the quake. He says his heartfelt words.

Jin Xin's Story

"The quake leveled buildings of our school. Over forty students of our class have come to Kunming and all of them have made friends here. My Hand-in-Hand game partner is called Wang Yan. I love her as if she were my elder sister.

We draw pictures and play games in the Summer Camp. Children in our group draw scenes in rural and urban areas of Tibet because two friends from Tibet described a very beautiful scene of Tibet to us.

I also like Tibet because in my hometown there are also some landscapes mimic to those in Tibet. We drew pictures individually previously, but now we jointly give strokes making the effect excellent. This collective contribution can make things better and I like it.

Now I join a class of the No. 2 Primary School of Kunming. My classmates are very kind to me, not inferior to those in the Summer Camp. However, I like the Summer Camp better because there are many games available. I am happy now because I am lucky enough to learn in such a good place after the quake."

Interview conducted by Li Yahui on July 24, 2008.

Pictured Right: Jin Xin is playing happily with new friends in the camp. Pictured Below: Jin Xin talks with Children's Committee members. (Photos: Save the Children)

Life Story: Liu Zhengtao, 4

Summary

The four-year-old boy Liu Zhengtao and his family lived in the Qingping Mountain. The May 12th earthquake entirely destroyed their house and little Zhengtao has lost his mother forever. In a long period after the earthquake, Zhengtao used to wake up in the midnight and cry for mum. When he came to the centre for the first few times, he was quite shy and introverted. He did not talk with other children and always asked his grandmother to accompany him.

After little Zhengtao got used to the new environment, he began to play with other children and made lots of new friends. Liu Zhengtao becomes easy-going and optimistic now. He comes every day and there is no need for his grandmother to come along with him. He dose not wake up and cry in the night any more. When talking about his mother, Zhengtao recalled and talked about happy memories of her, though he still misses her. Today is his birthday, so we bought a birthday cake and held a birthday party for him. He was very happy for he shared a delicious cake with his friends and family. His father and grandmothers appreciate us for the care we gave to Zhengtao.

Liu Zhengtao's Story

"I was in the play ground of the kindergarten of Qingping Shan Primary School when the earthquake came. I saw the building shaking and at first I thought someone was pushing the building. Then we heard somebody shout 'Earthquake! Earthquake!', so we ran out of the school gate. When we were outside the main gate, we looked back and saw the whole building collapse. Our home was destroyed too. I wish to go back to the kindergarten and want to continue the study.

After we came to live in the tent camp in Mianzhu, my grandmother began to take me here to play. I like to come here. Now I know lots of children here and have made 3 good friends. Before the earthquake, my mother used to teach me singing songs. Now the teachers here teach us singing songs every day and I like to sing together with them. The teachers also teach us drawing. I have learnt to draw the tadpole and the cucumber. I also learnt to count: 1, 2, 3…

There are many toys here, much more than that in my tent. I like to play the badminton especially. I often play the jigsaw puzzle, toy bricks and plasticine. A couple of days ago, I made a huge snowman out of the plasticine.

I like the teachers here too. I'd like to come here every day."

Interview conducted by Fan Xiaowen on June 10, 2008.

Pictured above: Zhengtao blowing out the candle of his birthday cake. Pictured below: Learning to count with this toy. (Photos: Save the Children)