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World Vision is expressing concern over weather reports of week-long heavy rains that may dampen ongoing quake recovery and relief efforts with looming threats of landslides and mudslides.
Unfazed by extreme weather warnings, World Vision is holding psychosocial sessions to support Sichuan’s youngest survivors. Working closely with the Institute of Psychology under Chinese Academy of Sciences, volunteer teachers undergo training and help facilitate age-appropriate psychosocial activities to help children express their feelings through the games that they play.
Luo, 10, is just one of the thousands of quake-affected children who have lost loved ones. His grandmother was among those who were found buried in the rubbles of their home in Lushan. His grandfather died in another destructive earthquake that happened in Sichuan in 2008. This time, their house was severely damaged, and the family only lives in a tent now.
The sessions offered a temporary respite to Luo who turned up as gloomy as the weather.
During the session, Luo draws his dream house in the drawing section. “My parents will live in the first floor; and myself on the second floor; the third floor will be a playground.” Luo shows his drawing and says, “Here is a fish pond, here is a garden, and here is the three-story house.”
“You live on the second floor? You are not afraid of earthquake?” World Vision staff asks.
“Not at all! My house will be strong and firm. No quake could ruin it!” Luo says firmly.
The class atmosphere turned out well. Children enjoy playing and perform very actively. They find themselves laughing instead of keeping a straight face.
Hoping to help more children like Luo recover from the trauma, World Vision plans to set up a long term child-friendly space at Luo’s school. Child-friendly spaces help provide a safe and structured place for children to play in as they are ushered back to normalcy.
Meanwhile, World Vision teams are now on the ground working closely with the government to assess the extent of damages and to identify the urgent needs of thousands of quake-hit families after a 6.6 magnitude earthquake struck SichuanProvince in China. World Vision has initially provided hygiene kits to affected families in Lushan.
