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Beichuan says thanks by offering help
Updated: 2010-01-18 13:05
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While people in Haiti are struggling to overcome the tragedy brought by the deadly earthquake, people in Sichuan recalled their own heart-breaking moment in May 2008. Halfway across the globe, hearts with sympathy are ready to offer help.
On Friday afternoon, students at Beichuan Middle School in Beichuan county, Sichuan province, gathered around a huge white banner, writing their wishes for the Haitian earthquake victims.
On the banner was an eye-catching slogan printed in red, reading "The 3,000 students at Beichuan Middle School will be with you," and around the slogan were hand-written sentences in black-ink:
"Hang on, people in Haiti."
"We're friends!"
"Best wishes for you!"
The school was one of the places hardest hit by the devastating earthquake in May 2008, with half of its 2,600 students killed or missing.
"All we can do is provide moral and modest financial support. We hope the people in Haiti can soon get over the disaster and rebuild their homes," said Tang Gaoping, a physics teacher at the school, in one of his blog entries on Saturday.
Also on Friday, over 3,000 students and teachers in Beichuan collected 11,810 yuan ($1,730) for the victims in Haiti.
"We are trying to show our thankfulness and do what we ought to do," said Xiong Guangwu, vice-principal for the Beichuan Vocational Middle School, in an interview with China Central Television over the weekend.
Gratitude for the worldwide help and empathy with the Haitian victims has aroused enthusiasm among people in Sichuan to offer help.
On Friday, 8,000 women embroiderers from the province's Aba Tibetan and Qiang autonomous prefecture decided to each take 10 yuan from their daily wages, collecting 80,000 yuan ($11,700) for the victims in Haiti.
On Saturday, the Sichuan Stone Association collected 28,835 yuan ($4,220) at its new years party.
"Living on the earth, we are one big family," said one person, commenting on the embroiderers' collection.
（中国日报网英语点津 Helen 编辑）
Todd Balazovic is a reporter for the Metro Section of China Daily. Born in Mineapolis Minnesota in the US, he graduated from Central Michigan University and has worked for China Daily for one year.
