This is the story of Qiao Sisi. She is pictured here.

"We were having a lesson when the earthquake came. The teacher told us to leave the building. Our school building didn't fall down because it was newly built.

"All of my over 50 classmates got out of the building, including our teacher. We were soon gathered together on the playground by the teacher. Some were frightened to tears. I was also scared, but I didn't cry…a long time after that, I saw my grandma. She held me in her arms and I cried…

 "We are offered three meals a day here. We have bread, water and candies! I am eager to go to school now, because I can't have lessons here.

"I live with my grandma here [at a temporasry shelter]. My mother and stepfather went to work in Jiangsu as migrant laborers. And my one-year-old sister stays with them.

"They didn't come back after the quake, but my uncle, who is also working there, returned. I know they are working hard for my education. I miss them much, but can't give them a phone call. I am also missing my sister. 

"It rained hard right after the quake. We couldn't find shelter after our house fell down, but we were brought here later on.

" I have made many friends since I came here nearly two days ago. It would be fabulous if we could play somewhere in this place."

Qiao Sisi is a 7 year old grade-one student in Renjiaping Primary School in Beichuan County.

Since it was a newly-built school, the number of casualties caused by the earthquake was relatively few there. The school building is now out of service due to severe damage.

Qiao Sisi is one of many left-behind children and is being taken care of by her grandma. Her grandma and her were taken to Mianyang and given a temporary shelter 3 days after the quake.

Qiao Sisi has an incredible smiling face and graceful behaviour. Maybe she is too young to understand what the catastrophe means. She feels quite satisfied that she can play with her new friends.

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