Communications for Development

I don’t think many of us in North America are really going to understand the devastation of the earthquake in China.   I have many friends and colleagues that have gone to the Gulf Coast to help after Hurricane Katrina– and are still going 2 years later — to help the communities rebuild.  I can imagine the Chinese government having a massive volunteerism effort… but that is still in the future for now.  

I really recommend reading this blog post: China, Survival stories of the quake.   It tells the stories of many heroic rescues, dying requests, and of course talks about the children and schools.   Here is an excerpt that will break your heart:

The story of a mom:

She was found dead under the collapsed house, kneeling down, creeping and leaning forward, both hands on the ground holding her body….. 

Suddenly, people found a 3-4 month baby under her body, wrapped in a red-yellow quilt. Because of the mother’s protecting, he remained unhurt. He was sleeping so peacefully, making all the people around warm.

When the doctors were examining the kid, a cell phone was found inside the quilt. An already written text message appeared on the screen.

“Dear baby, if you are alive, please remember I love you.”