From all over China, citizens from every profession are arriving in the Sichuan province to help earthquake victims. The May 12 earthquake (which hit 7.9 on the Richter scale) left tens of thousands dead and thousands more without food, water, or shelter. Volunteers, however, are showing up in droves to help their fellow citizens (photo gallery here). They do everything from reuniting families to driving to the least-accessible areas with relief supplies. As one volunteer put it:
“I feel that the hearts of all Chinese people are tied together. I think that it’s having responsibility for society and the country that unites everybody. The experiences as a volunteer here will surely have a great influence on the rest of my life.”
The Washington Post also takes note of the degree to which China’s citizens and NGOs are stepping forward to help, and in many ways moving faster than the government. In the worst of tragedies there are always moments of grace and redemption. They can come from anywhere–friends, neighbors, even strangers–and often reveal communal bonds and a sense of shared destiny that were never before apparent.
Volunteers play with Peng Shanghan, a 10-month old boy from Beichuan County, in Jiuzhou Indoor Stadium temporary resettlement zone, in Mianyang city of southwest China’s Sichuan Province, May 28, 2008. Over 100 volunteers from all over the country, offered psychological assistance and organized collective activities for the children there. (Xinhua Photo)
Tags: earthquake, volunteers
