Blog from China - Tuesday
I am still trying to absorb what I witnessed yesterday.
Hanwang
We decided to drive from Chengdu to the town of Hanwang. You may remember that that is where an elementary school collapsed in the earthquake...killing most of the children. We wanted to see for ourselves the state of the cleanup one month since the disaster—and to talk with survivors, especially the parents who had lost their only children.
Exterior of Hanwang elementary school
As we drove, Eric Baculinao, our bureau chief in Beijing, told me China's one child policy actually started in Schuan Province (where Hanwang is located) because it is the most densely populated area in the country. And now so many of those children were gone. We had driven for over an hour when the tents began to appear on both sides of the road--temporary shelters side by side with the rubble of what once were houses and businesses. Every so often I would see a tidy clothesline or a table surrounded by people eating lunch or just chatting...defiant signs of normalcy in the midst of such suffering.
We eventually were introduced to a group of fathers and mothers sitting on a bench, their eyes red from too much dust and too many tears. One by one they spoke of that day. One dad had been riding in a bus when the quake hit. He jumped out and ran to the school because he "had a feeling something bad" had happened there. He dug his 10-year-old daughter out of the rubble with his bare hands. Since her death, he says he sleeps too little and drinks too much. Each time he closes his eyes, she is there.
Interview with parents. Man in striped shirt is Xiong Jinqiu. He lost his 11 yr old daughter.
Another father pulled out a cell phone and showed me a photo of his little girl with her hands outstretched...a big grin on her face. "She was happy that day," he said. Now it is all he has left of her—that and a few of her clothes. Their home was also destroyed in the quake. As they were talking a friend walked up and offered us bottles of cold water, wanting to share what little they had and refusing to take no for an answer. Although they wanted justice for their children—a full investigation into why their school building collapsed when other structures around it did not—they also praised their government for responding so quickly with aid and shelter.
Meredith at school with Liu Hui (the one in white), who lost her 13-year-old son
Before I left I stood outside where the school once had been. The area has been roped off and public security officers stand guard. Next to them was a large bulletin board with pictures of many of the children who had come here every day to learn and to play. June 1st was Children's Day and their parents had posted their photos in remembrance.
Board at school with pictures of kids
As I stared at those beautiful faces I thought of what one of the fathers had said to me. "China is a very traditional society. We placed all our hopes in our daughter. When she's gone...we have lost everything."
Watch the segment from TODAY
We decided to drive from Chengdu to the town of Hanwang. You may remember that that is where an elementary school collapsed in the earthquake...killing most of the children. We wanted to see for ourselves the state of the cleanup one month since the disaster—and to talk with survivors, especially the parents who had lost their only children.
As we drove, Eric Baculinao, our bureau chief in Beijing, told me China's one child policy actually started in Schuan Province (where Hanwang is located) because it is the most densely populated area in the country. And now so many of those children were gone. We had driven for over an hour when the tents began to appear on both sides of the road--temporary shelters side by side with the rubble of what once were houses and businesses. Every so often I would see a tidy clothesline or a table surrounded by people eating lunch or just chatting...defiant signs of normalcy in the midst of such suffering.
We eventually were introduced to a group of fathers and mothers sitting on a bench, their eyes red from too much dust and too many tears. One by one they spoke of that day. One dad had been riding in a bus when the quake hit. He jumped out and ran to the school because he "had a feeling something bad" had happened there. He dug his 10-year-old daughter out of the rubble with his bare hands. Since her death, he says he sleeps too little and drinks too much. Each time he closes his eyes, she is there.
Another father pulled out a cell phone and showed me a photo of his little girl with her hands outstretched...a big grin on her face. "She was happy that day," he said. Now it is all he has left of her—that and a few of her clothes. Their home was also destroyed in the quake. As they were talking a friend walked up and offered us bottles of cold water, wanting to share what little they had and refusing to take no for an answer. Although they wanted justice for their children—a full investigation into why their school building collapsed when other structures around it did not—they also praised their government for responding so quickly with aid and shelter.
Before I left I stood outside where the school once had been. The area has been roped off and public security officers stand guard. Next to them was a large bulletin board with pictures of many of the children who had come here every day to learn and to play. June 1st was Children's Day and their parents had posted their photos in remembrance.
As I stared at those beautiful faces I thought of what one of the fathers had said to me. "China is a very traditional society. We placed all our hopes in our daughter. When she's gone...we have lost everything."
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Meredith your blog has brought me to tears today. I felt horrible when I had heard all the reports previously, but you have given us more of an eyes view. With you have not only shown us, but written you have let us know how much devistation and horror these people are still going thru. You make us feel their grief all the more. I am deeply saddened for their losses. To know that they will never see their children again is an emotion no one ever wants to know or feel.
You are doing a great job and I am glad you are the one who was sent to do this assignment. No one else could have done a better job. Though I do miss not seeing you in the mornings. The Today Show is just not the same without you there....
Be safe Meredith & team. Just from reading your blog, I can surely feel your sadness. I'm from WA and we are told that we are "due" for an earthquake. I only pray that my husband and children are all together.
One thing about asian custom. I'm Japanese. It's loyalty and respect. I'm sure you and your staff are very, very compassionate. Sometimes bowing lower than these hurting people is a much sign of respect..... Thank you for your update. Thank you for your passion.
Thank you for sharing this with us. I got tears in my eyes. Those poor parents.
Meredith
Thank you for sharing these stories! As Ann would say these are the stories that truely make a difference unlike alot of stories the media has been covering over the past year (You know Britney, Bonds and so on) But these are the stories that make a difference because they show people in their everyday lives and in this case lives tragically torn apart by Mother Nature.
Once again Thanks and be safe while walking these areas!!
Dave
Thank you very much for your story and being a witness of what happened in sichuang, even a month after the earthquake.
Take care!
Keep up the great work!
That's so sad to think about. I know how difficult it was when my community recently lost two high school kids in a car accident. It's almost impossible for me to imagine the scope of the grief these families must be feeling.
Hello Meredith I am a chinese living in the states. Thank you for your report to bring me back to my homeland. My friends and I have done many things trying to help a little bit after earthquake. Thank you for bringing attention there even 1 month after earthquake. I was full of tears watching your report today. Really, thank you, Meredith.
When you reported that people had insisted you take a bottle of water, it made me think of the American definition of giving. Many of us feel satisfied after we've written a charitable check that is a very small portion of what we actually have, careful to ensure that we still have (what many would consider) an extravagant amount for ourselves. We're just easing our conscience with this kind of giving, whereas the Chinese people you encountered truly represent the spirit of generosity.
Indeed, it would take very long time for the people there to get their life back to normal (probably never back to the original) we can't just donate something, and forget about it. you are doing a great job, Meredith!
Meredith,
I live in Shanghai, but I'm from California. The earthquake has really made us sad and love the locals even more then we did before. I was watching your report with my 10 yr old Daughter and we were both brought to tears.
Tahnks for sharing your story and theirs.I can't imagine my life without my kids.
Travel Safe.....
Very nice work on your piece on the aftermath of the Chengdu tragedy. One can sense your deep sorrow for these people.
Thank you for the wonderful Today show. We moved to West Vierginia 5 years ago and we see one channel...3..so we see the Today show every day. Now I am just venting! The lady that was blinded by her underpants just makes my blood boil...she is on TV telling this story? I have a federal law suit because I was injured at Honda of America. I have metal joints and wear a brace on one foot...but I can walk. The suit has been in the court system since 1995...this woman (who appears healthy) is complaining about a tiny pair of underwear! (and I do mean tiny) Is she blind or crippled? All I wanted in 1988 was a pay check for working in a factory.....I have lost 2 houses; 2 vehilcles; and it is painful to walk slowly every day! Sounds like another hot coffee burn to me Elna Hoffman