Text message provides relief

SHANGHAI: Liu Guangyuan, a Sichuan native working in Shanghai, breathed a deep sigh of relief last night when he finally heard a beep from his mobile phone indicating an incoming text message.

The message was from a relative in his hometown of Mianyang, Sichuan - one of the areas worst hit area by Monday's quake - telling him his parents had been moved to a safe place.

The 25-year-old, who works at Sichuan restaurant in Shanghai, said he has been unable to sleep since hearing the news of the disaster.

"The house where my parents live collapsed during the earthquake, but luckily, they and all my relatives escaped to safety," Liu said.

"They said they are without electricity, water and telecommunications, but they're all glad to be alive."

But not everyone is as relieved as Liu. Many people in Shanghai are still anxiously awaiting news of their loved ones.

Ding Ling, who works as a nanny in the city, said she is yet to hear what has happened to her family, who live in Mianzhu, Sichuan.

Ding said she was at work when she got a call from her cousin telling her hometown had been hit by the quake.

She has called home repeatedly since, but has yet to get through.

"I don't know how many times I've called, but the line is always down," Ding said.

"Nothing is worse than losing contact with them."

"The news said aftershocks are still going on. I'm very worried about my family and relatives," Ding said.

Ding is not the only person from Sichuan who has failed to make contact with home.

Many of the nannies working in Shanghai have said they are eager to return home to see their families.

Lai Aiping, who runs a home service company in the city, said more than half of the nannies he employs are from Sichuan, some of them from the worst hit areas of Deyang and Mianyang.

"As well as comforting these women, we are also trying to help them to make contact with their relatives in the disaster areas," Lai said.

"We are also in touch with local government departments so we can keep up to date on the situation."

(China Daily 05/15/2008 page6)