Sichuan Volunteer Teachers Visit Chengdu
Video of first ever visit to Zoo by Sichuan Survivors. One of the Chidren lost 300 of 900 schoolmates in the quake. The father considers the dead children to be the “lucky” ones as there is little opportunity for handicapped workers in China and even less for those coming from poor areas.
Another child who lost 2/3 of her classmates in a school collapse. Her best friend, trapped by rubble, died in her mother’s arms while waiting for help.
One of the Volunteers from the University of Michigan who is also helping to organize the Sichuan Teachers initiative. This is not easy work and there is an element of risk involved, but this volunteer says that the experience has forever changed his worldview and strengthened his commitment to others.
Pictures of rural area near Chengdu. Tent cities have little or no working facilities. Many toilets are hand dug holes in the ground covered with bits wood. Temporary houses (tin work sheds) have no ventilation and the temperature is running 10-20 degrees higher indoors than outside.
One of the volunteers became ill and left a day early. An aftershock struck shortly after his departure and destroyed the dorm in which volunteers were housed.
In Taekowndo we used to call this indomitable spirit”.
One of two amazing young students with incredible skills and enviable enthusiasm.
The site to visit for Sichuan Teacher matching is: http://sichuanteachers.org or a new in development which will showcase the Sichuan and other credible groups with needs: http://china-volunteer-teachers.org
3 responses so far
my name is Roland Catellier founder and president of Disaster Relief Shelter Foundation,Inc a florida usa non profit corporation based in New Port Richey Fl usa 34553, I am in china temporarily to find a path thought the chinese government to build shelters perminent ones on the existing foundation of elderly villiagers, at no cost to them [free], I have formed the corporation in usa to raise the needed funds to set up a structural insulated panel production plant close to affected areas of earth quake and to deliver and set up small homes for elderly and disabled and or raising there grand children as a priority of need. the board of corporation has decided that we will raise fund once I am able to get permission from the government or any legally authorized agent of Chinese government for our organization to begin operating in or near the earth quake zone. We will use local materials and or imported one ,if they are imported we would appreciate then being duty free imports. We will need the use of a piece of land 13,000sq.meters to 20,000 sq meter to use for 2yrs with extention of a 3rd year if need requires. Also the apropriate visa for myself and technical volunteers would be helpful. We plan on useing local staff for majority of production and installation of prefab home hopefully earth quake victim helping neighbors.
A little about me; after university in usa i joined a volunteer group for 18 yrs, i served in india, nepal, pakistan, afgasnistan in the mid to late 1970ies, in the eighties i was in dubai uae,there is sold and installed prefab swimming pool for 2.5 yrs, then to sri lanka , and brazil in brazil i help organize an orphanage after one year i went back to india to help out there till 1988 when my wife fell ill we returned to usa and she died, at that point i was faced with changing career and raising 7 children 2yrs old to 14 yrs olds. now that my children are grow up i seek to help others again as in my first career. During the time i raised my children i became a real estate broker, doing both commercial and residential real estate, and developing my own rental portfolio.
A little of what we plan to build, we are thinking to build 3.66m x 7.32m basic shelter for an elderly couple with out grand children, and 4.88 m x 9.75m for elderly who are raising grand children. If there foundation is suitable we will build on it or modify it to be suitable,if water, sewer, or electric, is available on site will connect to it. The materials will be structural insulated panels to a quality to last 35-50 yrs with proper maintainace, plywood on both sides with styro foan in between, a vapor barrier and vinyl siding and shingle roof, much like the homes in the usa that last long term.
The funding for these basic homes will come from fund raising in usa ,we believe the american people are generous and caring and will donate to this cause, the treasure of foundation is a successful financial consultant with experience in fund raising, my children will also support this effort with local fund raising in there spere of influence, and i will do fund raising personally and as i have experience also.
The key factor at this point is finding a path to operate in china with the proper authorization from government, I’m very impressed by the speed and efficiency the army has handled this disaster. Replacing a city in 3yrs is a huge task, and the millions of temporary shelters are impressive. Our organization seek only to help needy elderly with or without grand children to care for, to have a warm secure shelter as fast as possible.
if anyone can be of help to get govt. approval please contact me rolin12 at hotmail.com
sincerely,
roland catellier
I FEEL REALLY SORRY FOR ALL THE PEOPLE INJURED AND PEOPLE WHO HAVE LOST THEIR FAMILIES AND FRIENDS. I’D ALSO LIKE TO SAY GOOD LUCK IN THE FUTURE!!!!!
Salve, sono un prof di lettere (italiano e francese) ora in pensione: vrei svolgere attività di volontariato. Saluti . Michel (Aosta)