Sichuan Earthquake Update

Poem by Zhang Suning: If you’re alive, then mum is too

Second poem by Zhang Suning, inspired by the events during earthquake rescue operation. Zhang Suning recited the poem during the Edinburgh charity auction for the earthquake children.

My darling baby, if you’re alive, then mum is too

by Zhang Suning (Chinese version here)

Translated from Chinese to English, by Yuhua Hu

When the rescuers found her, she had died, killed by the house that collapsed. She died in a very unusual posture. She was kneeling on the floor, the whole upper body stretched forward with her arms supporting her whole body. The posture looked like the kneeling Koutou etiquette in ancient China, but her body was completely distorted by the pressure. When people cleared away the rubble around her, they found a baby was lying underneath her body, wrapped up in a small red blanket with golden patterns. The baby was about 3, 4 months old. Because of the protection from his mother’s body, he was still peacefully asleep when found. The rescuing doctor found a mobile phone inside the blanket, and on the screen of the phone, there was a message ‘My darling baby, if you survive, please remember I love you’.

My darling baby, if you’re alive, then Mum is too

My darling baby, you are still alive
It was Mum who had given you life

It was the second time Mum had given you life
The other time Mum was in great pain
This time Mum is in heaven above
–but now Mum can kiss you no more

My darling baby, you are still alive
It was Mum who had given you life

It was the second time Mum had given you life
Mum gave up her future for your future
Mum sacrificed her life for your life
–and now Mum will only appear in your dreams

Mum must have fed you for the last time
Mum must have changed your nappy for the last time
Mum must have kissed you again and again, till her last breath
Mum must have kept talking to you, till the last moment

My darling baby, you are alive, this was Mum’s hope
My darling baby, as long as you’re alive, Mum’s hope goes on
–a hope that was sheltered by a delicate body
–a hope that was raised up by an immortal life

My darling baby, if you are alive, then Mum is too
Mum’s blood is running in your vessels
Mum’s genes are thriving in every one of your cells
My darling baby, if you are alive, then Mum is too
You are Mum’s dreams in heaven
You are the resurrection of Mum’s life
My darling baby, if you are alive, then Mum is too
You are the extension of Mum’s life
You are the eternity of a mother’s love
My darling baby, if you are alive, then Mum is too
Forever alive, in your life

Poem by Zhang Suning: Is any survivor here this child’s family member?

A poem written by Zhang Suning, inspired by the events in the rescue operation. Zhang Suning recited the poem during the Edinburgh charity auction.

‘Is any survivor here this child’s family member?’

by Zhang Suning (Chinese version here)

Translated from Chinese to English, by Yuhua Hu

2am, 13 May. A medical team member in Dujiangyan, “Is any survivor here this child’s family member?”

I don’t know your name
but I know you are your parents’ baby
I don’t know your age
But I know you and my child are the same age
I don’t know whether your parents are still among us
But I know you are safe in the arms of this unfamiliar Aunt
I don’t know if you’re fast asleep, or in a coma
but I know you’ve just suffered a hellish trauma

Perhaps in your dreams you are remembering your mum’s kisses so dear
Perhaps in your coma you are stroking your daddy’s beard
Perhaps you have not woken from the shock yet
Perhaps you have remained among the memory before the Quake still
Perhaps you’re still waiting for your Mum and Dad to come back
Perhaps you are waiting for when you need no more ‘perhaps’

‘Is any survivor here this child’s family member?’
This is an anxious call of searching
This is an eruption of suppressed sorrow
This is a desperate cry of a grief-stricken heart
This is a faint hope among the immense suffering
‘Is any survivor here this child’s family member?’
This call is an earthquake shaking my soul
Ripping apart every parent’s heart

Child, I beg you to wake up soon
You still have many people who care for you
We are waiting for you to come back safe
We willl see to that a bright future will come apace
Child, I beg you to wake up soon
You are Sichuan’s child
You are China’s child
You are our child, everyone of us

Incredible journey of the pupils of Liu Han Hope Elementary

Guardian’s Tania Branigan tells the incredible story of the pupils of Liu Han Hope Elementary school (刘汉希望小学) of Beichuan (北川) County, who survived the earthquake thanks to the school building which stood firm, then when realised being cut off and threatened by aftershocks and rockslide, trekked through the mountains to reach the safety, escorted by their teachers and local police.

The Liu Han Hope Elementary school in Beichuan county stands in the heart of the disaster zone yet, while hundreds died across Sichuan province in classrooms that crumbled to dust, every one of its 483 pupils survived last week’s quake.

China yesterday raised its toll of the dead and missing to 70,000, and warned of a “desperate need” for tents to shelter millions of homeless survivors. But the story of the children’s escape is a rare piece of good news. While other schools disintegrated, theirs stood firm. Even the three-storey glass wall remained intact. When the slopes around them began to threaten their safety, staff marched pupils as young as five out of their remote home on an all-day, all-night trek.

“It was nothing outstanding - just a teacher’s responsibility,” Xiao Xiaochuan said. “It was not done by one teacher but by the whole faculty and students, with help from police and officials.”

Read the full story from the Guardian website.

The Reading Under the Ruins

(The story is translated into English by Song P.)

Schoolgirl Kept on Reading While Being Buried Under the Ruins
 
Her Extraordinary Strength Reduced the Teacher to Tears
 
“Have you by any chance found that lovely, studious girl called Qingqing?” At the rescue scene, Quanhong Chen, the class instructor of Unit One in Grade One of Rong Hua Town Junior Middle School kept asking, as she knew, Qingqing, though coming from a poverty stricken family, was blessed with lofty aspirations, and often immersed herself in reading under torchlight on her way home after school.
 
Whenever a body of a school kid was pulled out of the debris of collapsed buildings, Quanhong Chen wept her tears in silence. “Only a day ago they were still full of lives, bouncing around joyfully…How can this be happening?”
 
Luckily, at last, the schoolgirl named Qingqing Deng was rescued by the officers and solders of Unit 3 Hydropower Rescue Team from the Armed Police Force. What moved the class instructor Chen and the rescue team was that up until she was rescued from the nightmarish ruins, she kept on reading her textbook under the torchlight. She said, “I was terrified as it was pitch black down there. Feeling cold and hungary, I have had to engage in reading as to spare myself from the fears” Her honesty, just as her strength, deeply moved everyone. Quanhong Chen burst into tears. While holding Qingqing in her arms, she said, “Good kid, all will be well as long as you got out of there alive!”
 
In another scenario similar to that of Qingqing Deng, a girl called Yao Luo, had her hands and legs both injured during the earthquake. While being buried under the ruins, she was humming and singing the “Piano Dreams” unceasingly in an effort to keep herself stay awake. these efforts not only kept her alert, but also, in the end, rewarded her with the triumph over death.

Ricefield to donate all proceed of Chen Qi’s woodblock prints exhibition

Ricefield Arts and Culture Centre, a Glasgow-based art orgnisation has decided to donate all proceed of its coming exhibition, Chinese Water-based Woodblock Prints by Chen Qi, to Sichuan Earthquake Appeal for helping children affected by Sichuan earthquake.

Chen Qi is one of China’s leading contemporary printmakers, and a professor of Fine Art at Beijing University. Chen Qi uses distinctive Chinese icons extensively in his woodblock prints. Each of his works reflects the simple, elegant and tranquil elements of traditional Chinese painting.

Ricefield Arts was founded by Lin Chau and Julia Hung in 2004. While Ricefield Arts gears into nurturing Chinese art and culture within the Chinese community in Scotland, helping its members to embrace their common heritage, it is also dedicated to share this great tradition with all the people of Scotland, enriching the cultural life of this nation.

Tomorrow, I’m going to Wenchuan

source: Baidu Post
Translated by Karen.

I am a surgeon. I am standing on the land of Beijing now. I resigned from my job in Livepool UK yesterday and hurried all my way back to Beijing. Sichuan is my hometown. My motherland is being devastrated by this disaster. I couldn’t bear to watching all these without doing something. I have to come back and fight in the front line.

It was on 12th of May when the 7.8 grade earthquake attacked my hometown. I couldn’t imagine how it looks like now, but I have to face the cruel fact that my dearest parents, who gave me life and raised me up, have died in this devastation. My uncle told me this terrible news that I would rather never know and hope it would never come true! My son kept asking me about his grandparents, ‘Where are grandpa and grandma? Are they all right?’ I don’t know how to answer.

I cried for a whole day, finished two dozen packs of cigerattes, then I decided to go back to my motherland by all means, either resigning or taking holidays - I just had to go back. I have lost my parents, and I have to save more parents. I still have my son. I hope to see more parents and children reunited with my contribution.

I arrived Beijing eventually. I phoned many hostipals, but all the rescure teams have already set out. All right, I just have to go by myself then. I have booked my flight ticket of 8am tomorrow for Chengdu. I am going to Wenchuan from Dujiangyan. I must go to the most severely-damaged places where more supports are needed.

I do not cry anymore. I have found a way to return gratitude to my parents. They worked hard to give me the chance to be a doctor. I can’t save my parents, but I can save someone else’s parents.

Dear dad and mum, your son is kneeing down to pay you last respect. From now on he will use all he has learned to help others. I wish what I do will make you proud and smile from the heaven.

Heaven Bless China.

Mom’s last feeding

This is a story about a mother’s last feeding, a feeding that won more time her baby.

- source: sina.com

The speed for the connection of the video might be slow. The mandarin voiceover can be briefly translated as follows.

This story is heard from a docter in the frontline. On 13th May, a rescue team found the body of a young mother in the rubble near Dujiangyan, protecting her 3 or 4 months old baby using her body. The mother was still breast-feeding the baby when she died. The baby was still suckling, but the mother had already passed away. The mother won the battle against the time for her baby, feeding and keeping her child alive with her love and courage.

Candlelight vigil for the earthquake victims tonight

Mei Wong’s letter.

Hi All

Firstly, apologies to those that have received this more than once.

As you may know the BC Project has been working with various Chinese community groups over the past week to raise funds for the China earthquake appeal. Tonight, to coincide with the third day of mourning in China, the BC Project is co-organising a candlelight vigil for the earthquake victims.

The vigil will be held tonight (Wednesday 21st May) at the London Chinatown Pagoda on Newport Place from 8pm - 11pm. If you’re free please do pop by and light a candle - we will observe 1 minute silence at 8.30, 9.30 and 10.30pm.

If you can please tell your family, friends and colleagues about this too and thanks for your help and support.
Best wishes

Mei Wong
BC Project
0750 800 5645

She Didn’t Cry

Translated from Chinese by Candice Zhou

The 12 years old student Li Yue was from Beichuan. She was buried in the ruins. Her left leg was stuck between huge concrete sheets. The rescuers didn’t have the equipment to remove the heavy concrete. Li Yue begged the man accompanied her, ”I’d rather kill myself if I lost my leg.”

The dilemma facing the rescue team was there were four other students buried underneath Li Yue who were still alive. If they couldn’t take Li Yue out quickly, the four students’ can’t be rescued and their lives were in danger. There were several aftershocks everyday, and might cause more casualties. At last, Li Yue’s mom agreed to doctor’s advice. Her daughter’s left leg was to be amputated on site.

After 69 hours under the ruins, Li Yue was rescued. When she awaked, she found she had already lost her left leg. However, she didn’t cry.

I have seen many stories about the earthquake, and this is the first one about the child who didn’t cry. Wish small Li Yue be strong to go on her way. And hope more people will come to help her and support her.

original link:http://glockwq.spaces.live.com/default.aspx

Charity auction raised 700 pounds for the earthquake children

A tea party and charity auction held in Edinburgh Confucius Institute raised 700 pounds for the Help the Earthquake Children campaign.

The event, organised by Dr Yuhua Hu of Edinburgh University, was to raise fund for the charity Mother Bridge of Love (MBL), who will use the donation to help children affected by the Sichuan earthquake. Some local and visiting artists donated their work for the auction. Xiang Silou, a woodblock artist, donated two of his woodblock prints through Edinburgh Confucius Institute. A professor from Sichuan Normal University Institute of Arts, Xiang Silou is currently the artist in residence at the Burrell Collection, Glasgow and had exhibition recently in Ricefield. He went back to Sichuan before the earthquake and would like to help the people in the earthquake by donating his art work. Many Chinese of all generations had donated artifacts, jewels, fashion accessories and green teas for the auction. Wang Ying, a young artist, brought her own painting, Boy with a Bamboo Flute, to the event. The boy in the painting is a young Sichuan boy Miss Wang met during her trip to Sichuan last year.

Participants of the tea party and auction were mainly Chinese students, professionals and their local friends. Consul Li Li Bei from Chinese Consulate General told the audiences she was touched by the support and solidarity shown by the British public. Wendy Wu, CEO of MBL, expressed her gratitude towards Dr Yuhua Hu, the auction host Dr Zhongdong Niu, a Napier University lecturer, other helpers who were all volunteers, and the participating crowd. She also discussed some potential projects in Sichuan earthquake area the donation could support.

Several local Chinese artists came to give performance during the party. Dr Zhongdong Niu injected some auction spirit into it by asking the audiences to bid for the performance, bringing some joy into the otherwise solemn occasion. The most touching performance, however, was Mr Zhang Suning’s reading of two of his poems inspired by the true stories in the rescue process.

The event raised about 700 pounds for the Help the Earthquake Children project. Dr Yuhua Hu, a member of CYPE (Chinese Young Professionals in Edinburgh) said she’s glad to be able to do something to help the earthquake children. “I’ve seen tremendous support and kindness from the friends and public which the earthquake children will appreciate. We must do more to help them,” said Wendy Wu. MBL is cooperating with other organisation to run more fundraising events around the UK.