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Since an 8.0 earthquake rocked Sichuan, China on May 12 quake, destroying the lives and homes of tens of thousands, the Taiwanese music artist Wang Leehom, recently traveled to Sichuan to visit quake survivors and encourage children in World Vision’s Child Friendly Spaces to continue to rebuild their lives.
Caring for quake survivors and helping to rebuild
Wang Leehom, having closely followed the disaster situation through news reports, said that he was deeply shaken by every scene or story captured by the media in the quake sites.
After spending 6 hours on the road and crossing the Jialing River by boat, they finally reached the Hongyan (紅岩) Primary School in Hongyan Township in Yuanba District, Guangyuan City.
He saw with his own eyes collapsed houses and survivors taking shelters on the street.
"I had shed tears when watching news reports on TV," Wang Leehom told the survivors, "but now I am here with you as you proceed to re-build."
"World Vision’s Child Friendly Space is like a paradise for children"
Hongyan Township has 80% of its population affected, houses seriously devastated, and 39 school buildings destroyed or damaged.
Hongyan Primary School was completely flattened. World Vision’s relief worker said, "The school site was left with lots of rubble. It took us much time to clear the fallen parts of buildings and dangerous rubbles before allowing children to re-enter the school."
Close to 300 students of Hongyan Primary School have been forced to stop schooling since the quake occurred. They had nothing to do but stayed in tents with their families. After the quake, no one dared to stay indoors.
World Vision knows that helping survivors return to routines is the best way to give them psychosocial support. Therefore the humanitarian organization chose to set up tents in Hongyan Primary School on the eve of the International Children’s Day (June1) to allow children to go back to school.
A Child Friendly Space (CFS) was also established in the school to help children get through discomfort and suffering of the disaster by structured educational and recreational activities.
When arriving at Hongyan Primary School, Wang Leehom immediately joined the children in the CFS to play ball-passing, sandbag-piling and animal-imitating games. He made every effort to entertain the children.
"Children have a simple heart. As long as they have the strength to play with friends or are given a small gift, they can be happy and forget about their pain." Wang Leehom said, "I think the CFS set up by World Vision is just like a paradise for children."
He also visited every school tent and cheered students and teachers of each grade. He told them, "I just want to say, be brave and study hard. You will be great!"
Listening to survivors and feeling their pain
Wang Leehom met quake survivors in their temporary shelters and gave his encouragement.
He was the first visitor received by Liu Yuanbing (70) and his family of nine in their new home - a tent provided by World Vision.
Liu recalled with panic the moment when the quake struck, "I was putting on my shoes when it happened. I was so scared that I ran out of the house with only one shoe."
Liu said nobody cared about assets or belongings; people were concerned about their families only. Fortunately all his five grandchildren were safe. He said, "Our house was damaged, and we dared not to stay in the house again. But World Vision helped us by giving us a tent and quilts. I am really grateful."
His wife, recalling how their house fell apart in the quake, could not help but cry in deep sorrow. Wang Leehom listened to her story, patted her shoulder and said, "The most important thing is you’re still alive. There is hope as long as you are alive."
When Wang Leehom dropped by the tent of Liu Chunliang and his family of five, his granddaughter Liu Lu stood behind her mother with a shy look.
The little girl was asked by her mom to sing for the guests. When starting to sing the song, "My Great Mother," tears suddenly streamed down her face. The mother who stood beside her also began to cry.
Wang Leehom quietly handed a piece of tissue paper for Liu Lu to wipe away her tears; then put it back to his pocket after she used it.
"I am feeling your pain and your persistence to hold on to hope," said the artist to the quake survivors, "I am standing in front of this tent, which is part of the assistance given by caring people around the world. On behalf of those people, I came here to see the results of their help, which I believe will support our friends in Sichuan to stand on your feet again!"
"Thrive on suffering. It’s time to show our solidarity."
Wang Leehom said on his return from the field, "I have been thinking of one thing these days, which is a country can thrive in times of suffering. Hard time cannot beat us, but only help us solidify and support one another."
The designated account set up by the artist with World Vision Taiwan has received nearly NT$10 million in donations.
"I know people in Taiwan are very concerned for the quake survivors. The survivors were so moved by the generosity and care that kept saying "thank-you" repeatedly for the love and encouragement they have received. I believe this love will be lifelong."
According to the relief team of World Vision, many people would stay in tents for perhaps one to two years because of post-disaster trauma. However, the poor conditions in the tents could trigger diseases or other problems, and place further challenges in survivors’ life.
The relief team added that World Vision is prioritizing rehab efforts on the most vulnerable, which is children and the poorest. In the first phase World Vision will provide tents for survivors to live in and children to continue education.
In the future the organization will help build temporary houses and schools and stay with survivors as they rebuild their livelihood. Psychosocial support will also be given to help people to recover.
Wang Leehom said, "I wish people and children can move out of tents soon and return to a safe home where there is no fear any more."
He continued, "Since so many schools were gone in the quake, lots of children will study in tents for a while. Fortunately it’s summer time. The situation could be even worse if it were winter. I believe we cannot stop giving our support from now. We have to stay with them and continue to help!" |
