 Summary
Inconsistent with her age, nine-year-old Zhao Weiyi seems shy, maybe because she lives in a mountainous area. Her family is so poor that she is only in Grade 2, and her clothes are made of her relatives’. She understands the family’s hardships, and worries that the life will become more difficult. After the earthquake, Weiyi was anxious at home. Returning to school makes her feel better. Although the school operates in tents, teachers and students have new desks and chairs. Weiyi believes what teachers said, “Everything will become fine.”
Pictured Right:
Weiyi seems shy, and her clothes are made of her relatives’ clothes. Pictured Below:
Weiyi becomes lively again while staying with classmates
(Photos: Save the Children)
Zhao Weiyi's Story
“The earthquake has changed the school and the family (environment) a lot. The school buildings and family houses have become decrepit. The school has been pulled down. But we still live in our house that was only renovated.
The earthquake suspended our classes. But the classmates live near each other and know we are all OK. This makes us relieved. After the earthquake, I helped with some chores at home. Usually my mother labours on the farm, and my father renovates the house. I would boil water for him. My parents sometimes talk about our future life, but they would not let me hear. I think our future life definitely will be affected.
My teacher visited us once in a few days, assigning some homework. Therefore I spent about two hours on homework every day. Every time the teacher visited, he would say the school would be resumed soon. Later it happened indeed. I was very glad, but later I knew that we would have classes in tents in the temple… The tents are fairly hot when the sun comes out.
Teachers tell us not to worry, because we will have bunk houses soon. They say everything will become fine. Right, now we have new yellow desks and chairs, which previously I only saw on TV. The skirt I wear is given by a relative. Although it’s old, I like it. And I’m happy to learn that my friends also think it's beautiful.”
Interview conducted by Li Yahui, during an assignment to Sichuan Province, China in July, 2008.
- Discuss your groups response to Weiyi's story
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