Earthquake devastated Chengdu
A heavy earthquake (magnitude 7.9) at 12th of May caused in the Chinese province Sichuan the death of approx. 50.000 people. Up to five million people lost their homes. The epicentre was in the North West of the city Chengdu – and so the buildings of the Waldorf initiative were destroyed or heavily damaged. The teachers were helping for many days in the hospitals, cared for hundreds of children, instructed other volunteers... But now the question is arising: What can be done for the Waldorf school in Chengdu?
Dear friends, this is the eighth day after the earthquake in Sichuan province. I was planing to share with all of you my experiences of the last days. It was one hour ago, when there was emergence broadcast from TV and radio that there would be a big after shock in a few days, we should prepare for it. Then people were flooding out to the streets and the roads were filled with cars. The whole city Chengdu was in a big chaos. Most of our teachers and some parents and children came back to the school. It is a hard time for all of us. People are emotional, nervous and despair to face such challenge.
During the last two days, I was invited to join a group of psychological therapists organised by the Minister of Education and university professors. We are trying to mediate travelling activities and psychological rescue and to make a brochure or handbook for the Minister of the Education to distribute. I felt very special being invited to join such a specialist group as a Waldorf teacher. Some of the experts who know about Waldorf education highly value our work in the hospital. Zewu Li and I participated in many meetings and training courses.
Helping 300 children at once
Today more than one dozen teachers from our school also joined the group of volunteers going to Mianyan, an area serious damaged by the earthquake, where most casualties are sheltered now. There was a “tent school” opening to the children. Lead by our teachers, 300 children were playing games and singing songs in a huge tent. Hundreds of parents, volunteers and journalists surrounded us. Can you imagine hundreds of children who did not know each other doing games together? And during the came continually more children were brought into the group.
We could not fulfil our original plan because of the chaos, noise and the steaming hot tent, but our brave teachers did not give up. Children were led to move chairs and tables in a good order and sit on the ground as a circle. Teachers tried to use body language as much as they could. They sang, clapped, stepped, greeted to each other without knowing the names. It was incredible how they managed to do that, but it turned out much better than one can imagine, children were happy, exciting and liked to play. But, however, there were some children not much involved, especially those who have not yet found their parents. The older children had suffered from their heart much more and they are urgently needing therapy.
Great challenges ahead
I have learned from the experts that those who are “normal” so far are only in the first stage. They all need a safe environment, basic living and rhythm of life – if they feel beloved, can play game, receive some presents, have a new school bag and can go to school, they are fine. But when the whole crisis has gone and everything seems to be back to normal life, they will find out things have been changed. The psychological hurt becomes obvious. There are great challenges lying ahead, especially for those who had lost the loved ones or became disabled.
There are many individuals and organisations including government agents working on this area. I was deeply touched by working and meeting with government officers during the last few days. This was the first time that I saw and felt there is a bright side of the government and their efforts are great. I believe that the goodness, truthfulness as a part of human being have been brought out through this natural disaster with so many lost lives. I hope that those who are in the spiritual world can witness this moment, a moment filled with true love among us. They would feel a kind of peace when they see the wonderful souls who are alive.
I beg you love lives, and love everyone around you.
Li Zhang, 19.5.2008
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