Sichuan Earthquake: Donation Suggestions

I know that many of you have been following closely the devastating earthquake in China. We have heard and seen the stories of schools collapsing and loss of life. Even though Sichuan Province is a distance from Shandong where we all have our sister schools, we still feel connected to Chinese culture and students no matter where they are in China.

In April 2006 Peng Zhen and I travelled the route northwest of Chengdu. We also observed a lake that had been formed by an earthquake in 1933. The quake dammed a river and created a lake. An entire village is buried beneath the lake. There was only one survivor from the village. I clearly recall the awareness that we were in a dangerous earthquake zone. The geological explanation for the area was totally exposed to even a casual observer.

We had dinner and stayed overnight in two of the towns that are at the epicenter of the current earthquake. We are not sure but we don't believe there is much left of the two towns.

After staying overnight we got up early to travel further. At one point we saw children walking along the road in large numbers. After a mile or so I saw a brand new school. We remembered the message in the presentation at the Ministry of Education in Beijing -- the effort to provide more resources to rural areas. We both remarked how we were seeing evidence of that policy. Knowing the location of the school, I doubt if it is still standing. The area abuts the Tibetan Plateau where Tibetan and Qiang minorities live. I am sure these more remote areas have been hit hard by the earthquake where there are narrow valleys and high mountains.

I have received many requests wondering how one could make donations. Below is a list you can choose from:

1. New York Chinese Consulate for Sichuan Earthquake Relief (English)
http://www.nyconsulate.prchina.org/eng/

2. MercyCorp (English)
http://www.mercycorps.org/chinaearthquake/

3. WorldVision (English and Chinese)
http://www.worldvision.org.hk/eng/appeal/Sichuan/emer_frame_e.html

4. Red Cross China (Chinese Webpage)
http://www.crcf.org.cn/gb/jianjie/jkindex.asp

5. Red Cross Hong Kong for Sichuan Earthquake Relief (English and Chinese):
http://www.redcross.org.hk/donation/user_donation.asp

6. AmeriCares (English)

http://www.americares.org/