20091016 Rebuilding lives after big quake Padang Indonesia

Title:
20091016 Rebuilding lives after big quake Padang Indonesia

Description:
Next, we travel east to Indonesia, where more than two weeks ago a 7.6 magnitude earthquake rocked western Sumatra Island. Tzu Chi's emergency relief distributions have now come to a successful end in Padang. Worried about the traumatized children, a group of professional counselors from Indonesia's Happy Children Foundation went to visit a temporary tent school in Padang, hoping to recover their confidence and courage through songs and games. Meanwhile, disaster victims are also restoring their homes through self-help; we bring you one such story, from Tzu Chi volunteer Wang Guixing.(王貴興) Home is not a home Home is not a home - this is the heartache many Padang residents shared after a 7.6 magnitude earthquake ravaged Indonesia on September 30th. 54-year-old Wang Guixing leads Da Ai reporters in Indonesia as they capture the devastation on video. Wang became a volunteer back in 2006, when Tzu Chi distributed aid to the people of Padang. Wang Guixing rescues his 3 children When the big quake rocked his house earlier last month, Wang's three children got trapped in the first floor of their collapsed home. The memory still triggers great emotions. Tzu Chi volunteer, Wang Guixing: "When I got in, I saw my son. I pulled him out slowly. He was still asleep; his body covered in dust. Then, I pulled my second daughter out; she too, was covered in dust. The hardest one to rescue was my eldest son. He is a big fellow and the hole was very narrow. When all three of them got out safely, I hugged them all, I couldn't hold back my emotions, I broke into tears". The important thing is, we are alive Though the disaster robbed him of all his belongings, Wang is nonetheless grateful that his family is alive. Shifting from his work as a successful contractor to quake victim, the optimistic man still devotes himself fully to help those in need. Tzu Chi volunteer, Wang Guixing: "We do Tzu Chi's work with our utmost sincerity; if we still can contribute, we should help out wholeheartedly, because there are disaster victims worse off than me". Mending wounded hearts with love Disasters may leave scars that fade with difficulty, but it also inspires people like Wang to give themselves selflessly during these hard times. Adopting an optimistic outlook, these people are mending their wounded hearts with love -- Joyful songs, happy children These children sing joyfully in their temporary tent school. At this moment, carefree happiness seems to have found its way back to their childhood. Happy Children Foundation director, Wanti: "Through games we hope to restore the children's happiness. Singing and learning is the best way of recovering the children's confidence and courage". An emotional outlet to release fears Be it songs or games, led by this group of professionals these children are finding a way to release their fears. Parents and students are greatly comforted. Lapai 18 National Elementary School principal, Harnolis: "Thanks to the efforts of Indonesia's Happy Children Foundation, for these children the fear and trauma have disappeared. They have recovered much of their confidence, and may now continue to learn and grow, just like before". A sturdy fortress crystallizing Waving off the gloomy past, the road to recovery may be long, but with abundant love, a sturdy fortress will crystallize, piece by piece, to watch over the pillars of our future.

Author:
tzuchisg

Tags:
Tzu Chi Indonesia, Padang Earthquake,