Making a better name

The Chinese are used to naming generations by when they were born and associating their character traits to the times they have lived through.

Those generations born in the 80s and 90s, for example, are labeled as spoiled. They are criticized for a lack of care for others and for being too focused on themselves.

But, the earthquake that shook Sichuan province and many parts of China has pushed many young people to the frontline. Parents, along with the whole country, have been pleasantly surprised to see so many young people maturing quickly in the disaster.

At Mianyang's Jiuzhou Stadium in Sichuan province, 17-year-old Wang Sifan has been caring for three elderly people at the stadium-turned temporary relief shelter.

At lunchtime, she waits in line with three empty lunch boxes. She fills them up with free food before bringing the boxes back to the elderly people.

On May 12, Wang managed to escape from her home, carrying a bag full of her precious cosmetics.

The high school student had played truant that day. Her school in Beichuan county had collapsed, taking away several of her best friends. Fortunately, both her parents are safe.

Wang said her family had been relatively well off before the quake. When rescuers first led them and other quake victims to stay at the stadium, Wang said she didn't like the place at all.

She disliked having to sleep on the floor and found the quilts to be rather dirty.

But, her initial aversion disappeared after two days.

"If one family is in need of something, all those who are able to move will come to help. So I think, I should also do something," said Wang.

Like many young people born in the 90s, Wang made her parents worry. They were concerned about the thick layer of make-up she applied to her eyelids, the way she displayed rings on her nose and lips and the exorbitant hairstyles she continually wore.

But, when the girl offered a hand to the elderly people, she soon realized her appearance was not popular among them. She quickly removed her rings, cleaned her face and even bound her hair neatly. Even her own parents didn't recognize her at first.

Wang hasn't gained any recognition for volunteering. But, she says, it doesn't matter.

"I don't care if I'm recognized as volunteer or not. It is my personal choice to help others."

Sun Da, who turns 18 this fall, says he left school so he could volunteer.

Two days after the quake, the freshman at a university in Chongqing wrote his roommates a note before he left with some food and water.

The native of Leshan city in Sichuan province was determined to head for the quake-affected area that was toughest to reach.

Sun met up with three other volunteers in Sichuan's capital Chengdu - and together they trekked to Yingxiu, a town at the center of the quake.

But, landslides blocked all roads around Yingxiu. The four soon finished their small supply of food and faced four days of starvation. Finally, they were rescued and sent back to Chengdu.

"I'm really embarrassed," Sun admitted. "I hated people treating me as a child. But, I found that I'm not yet mature."

Still, Sun didn't give up. He took only a day's rest before returning to Mianyang, where he became one of many young people helping quake victims at the Jiuzhou Stadium.

"Even if I am not mature, I can still do something," said Sun.

Sxiteen-year-old Zhang Wenjing has also been trying to help quake victims at Jiuzhou Stadium.

The ethnic-Qiang minority lost his father and several relatives to the quake in Beichuan county. His mother and 3-year-old sister managed to make it out alive and the three of them are now settling at the stadium.

Zhang said he was buried under the debris for 6 hours before rescuers pulled him out.

"This is a second life that the heavens granted me. While I was down there, I decided that I must do something if I could make it."

Zhang tried to apply to become a volunteer with the Youth League of Mianyang. But, he was turned down because he was not yet 18.

Still, he managed to find a way to help a medical center set up at the stadium.

"I go around the stadium, checking if anyone has fallen ill. I also send medicine to those who need it."

The young man says he has come to his own conclusions about helping others. He says he's happy to help those who need it, but won't help the young and healthy, who just sit around waiting to be helped.

"For us Qiang people, boys become men when they turn 15."

(China Daily 05/28/2008 page20)