In China
Ziyang Prefecture

The whole classroom turned silent as she stood up to speak.

Huang Li, a sixth-grader at Huayandong Primary School, recounted how homes and buildings in Anyue County were severely destroyed when a massive earthquake struck Sichuan province on May 12 last year.

She was speaking to a group of visitors from Singapore, who had helped in several post-quake reconstruction projects in Ziyang Prefecture, one of which is Huang Li's school.

Thanking the donors and aid workers, the 12-year-old said: "Our houses were very old and shabby. It was freezing in winter. And in summer, we had to endure the sweltering heat."

"It was you who brought us warmth and joy," she said, with tears welling in her eyes.

Some 70 students at this school risked losing their chance to receive an education when the original building was so badly hit by the quake that it had to be demolished.

But Singapore-based non-governmental organisation Mercy Relief came to their rescue by building a new school with money collected from the public.

Costing S$125,000, the quake-proof building which has bright and airy classrooms and a canteen, was completed last month.

When asked about her ambition, Huang Li said: "I want to be an architect so that I can build comfortable homes for children in need. I stayed in a tent after the quake, so I know how it feels."

Among her audience was Mercy Relief's Goodwill Ambassador, singer Stefanie Sun, who helped appeal for funds after her earlier trip to this south-western province in June last year.

"This time around, it does not seem so tragic," she said of the mood among the residents, eight months on.

"I can see hope in their eyes."

Students took pictures of Goodwill Ambassador Stefanie Sun
when the singer visited their school.
ST photo: Ling Chang Hong

Jubilant schoolgirls showing off the autographs of Stefanie Sun.
ST photo: Ling Chang Hong

Sun was here on a two-day trip this week to mark the completion of seven reconstruction projects by Mercy Relief, symbolising an end to the first phase of rehabilitation efforts.

The next phase would be to focus on the longer-term development of these affected communities, according to Mercy Relief Chief Executibve Hassan Ahmad.

"Our future projects will be focused on poverty, healthcare, water and sanitation, education and livelihood," he said.

Huayandong Primary School, which was destroyed by the May12 earthquake,
was rebuilt with the help of Singapore donors and aid workers.
ST photo: Ling Chang Hong

Children in a new classroom in Huayandong Primary School.
ST photo: Ling Chang Hong

To achieve this and to reach out to more needy people in the region, Sun, as the Goodwill Ambassador, has launched a series of Goodwill Pandas named Sun Sun. They will be on sale from Jan15 at S$38 each. All proceeds will go to the development projects. (see note below)

Sun, who is popular among teenagers in China, created a stir wherever she went this week. Young girls waited in the wintry chill just to get a glimpse of her.

And while looking forward to going back to a brand new school after the Chinese New Year break, Huang Li and her classmates no doubt will have much to talk about during the festive holidays.

Singapore's Sun has warmed chilly Sichuan.

Stefanie Sun and Goodwill Panda "Sun Sun".
ST photo: Ling Chang Hong

Note: Those who are interested to purchase "Sun Sun" can call 63326320, or email to exchange@mercyrelief.org or visit Mercy Relief at Blk 160, Toa Payoh Lor 1, #01-1568.

HERE I am sitting at Seik Gyi Hard Rock Cafe, resting my tired feet.

Yes, you didn't read me wrong. I'm in a remote village in Myanmar, not even the main city Yangon. Hard Rock Cafe? It's a moniker given by aid workers in this Cyclone-hit village. It's a simple but cosy sheltered food kiosk, equipped with tables and stools.   

A middle-aged woman recently set it up, selling drinks and snacks. Some wondered aloud how much she can make a day. But she did not seem bothered. It is her way of making a living.

ST PHOTO: Ling Chang Hong

Seik Gyi, a village of 1,318 in Kungyangon Township, about a three-hour drive south of Yangon, stood at the tail end of the powerful Cyclone Nargis that hit Myanmar on May 2. The devastation left more than 138,000 dead or missing across the country.

Four months later, the people here have picked up the pieces, and are looking forward to a better future.

"It's truly a narrative of survival," says Asean secretary-general Surin Pitsuwan.

Seik Gyi is the first village to be adopted by the Tripartite Core Group (TCG), a joint effort by Asean, the Myanmar government and the United Nations, to assist in post-Nargis relief and recovery work. September 6 marks the 100th day since TCG was formed.

Not far from the cafe is the village's only primary school. Aid workers tell me the cyclone blew away most of the structure, leaving only the pillars and the walls. Today, happy children attend classes in newly furnished classrooms.

Nyi Nyi Tun is one of them. The chirpy eight-year-old proudly shows me his new turqiose schoolbag, filled with textbooks and supplies. They were obtained with the help of international donors, I am told.

"I was very sad when the school was destroyed. Now, I'm happy I can come to school everyday," Nyi Nyi says, through an interpreter.

Volunteers tell me the foundation of the school building is still weak, as evident from the hole-filled classroom floor. But this did not stop Nyi Nyi and his classmates from pursuing an education.

ST PHOTO: Ling Chang Hong

Of course, all this wouldn't have been possible without help from the world over. For Seik Gyi, most of the credit goes to the TCG. But the resilience of the villagers played a huge part too.

"It's the spirit of the local population. If they had been hopeless and just gave up, there would't be as much success as you're now witnessing," says TCG chairman Kyaw Thu, who is also Myanmar's Deputy Foreign Minister.

Ms Krongkeaw Sritaborvornpaiboon, an Asean volunteer, tells me she is touched by the warmth of the people.

"They are so positive and generous," says the 21-year-old from Thailand, who has been working here for a month and will stay on for another three.

But UN resident coordinator Bishow Parajuli cautioned against complacency.

"My biggest worry is on sustaining the efforts," he says. The world will be distracted by humanitarium needs elsewhere, he notes.

"We can't have the efforts forgotten. We must keep the momentum."

I, for one, will not forget Seik Gyi. I might even come back when it opens its real Hard Rock Cafe one day.