This is the story of Chen Jianquan. Here he is, pictured (right).

"The class was almost over when the classroom started shaking. Some students screamed that an earthquake had come. We tried to get out in a hurry, but we were on the third floor then. The teacher shouted at us to not rush out but instead hide in corners or under desks. I know that some students who rushed out were injured in the leg by falling stairs."

"After it was over, I got home alone and found it was empty. I learnt later on that my father had gone out to look for my mother and brother. My father and brother got back in the evening, but my mother is still missing… My mother was working at the cement plant. We were sent here at about 2:00 pm the next day. Now my father is out to build roads, and I stay here alone. I don't know whether he will come back today."

"I needn't worry about having enough food here, but have nothing to read. I've read my brother's Grade-One mathematics book three times. There is still no news from the school, but we can't go back for school lessons; that's for sure."

"What I hope for the most is to find my mother. I am sure she will return to me! I am also hoping I can go back to school."

"I hope I will have many pals…and many many good books!"

Chen Jianquan is a 12 year old, grade-six student in Leigu Primary School in Beichuan County. Six days after the earthquake, his mother was still missing.

Inside, Chen Jainquan is screaming, but outwardly, he is still confident that all of his family members can get together. He went to the site where families could try to reunite with each other, with his father and younger brother, but his mother was not there. His father helped out in the rescue with other men while Chen remained in a temporary shelter.

Chen feels anxious because there are no books to read, except for the mathematics book of his younger brother ... which only brings a little comfort. He hopes that he will be able to read many books one day.

• Discuss your group's response to Chen's story
• Send Chen a message by emailing it to admin@schoolaid.org.au with the Subject Line: Life Story #1.  Responses will be showcased on the website below
• Donate to the China Appeal to supply educational materials to children like Chen affected by the quake

Go to next Life Story

Go back to China Appeal homepage