I've been on Melody Zhang's blog again today. Melody is the in-China director of our adoption agency and from what I can tell is a truly caring and generous person. She is in the midst of the quake disaster doing her best to help meet the needs of the people she encounters. Below are her posts from the past couple of days.
TUESDAY, MAY 13th:
Orphans at Quake's Epicenter, Needs Greatly Anticipated
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Melody has just called in, and is unable to use her computer:
The director of the Wenchuan orphanage, at the epicenter of the earthquake crisis, was just reached by phone. He is in Chengdu on business, away from his orphanage. He also can not reach his orphanage and does not know the damages at this point, but he does offer this information:
TUESDAY, MAY 13th:
Orphans at Quake's Epicenter, Needs Greatly Anticipated
"
Melody has just called in, and is unable to use her computer:The director of the Wenchuan orphanage, at the epicenter of the earthquake crisis, was just reached by phone. He is in Chengdu on business, away from his orphanage. He also can not reach his orphanage and does not know the damages at this point, but he does offer this information:
The Wenchuan orphanage cares for 37 children, 20 of whom are under 2 years old. Their building was built in the 80's and is 3 stories tall and was certainly susceptible to damage."There are short term needs we need to fill," says Melody, "but we are also anticipating the orphanages' long term needs - repairing structural damage to their buildings and offering psychological help to the children that stayed all night on the streets and may be forced to continue to do so until more aid arrives."
The main road into Wenchuan is not cleared. Government officials have ordered 40,000 soldiers to open the road tonight."
WEDNESDAY, MAY 14th:
In Sichuan
"I arrived in Chengdu at 5 pm. I'm on the way now to Mianyang tonight to deliver formula and medicine. I've seen ambulances all the way here on the highway.We are with the Red Cross. Children's Hope is the first group to focus on helping the children."
--Melody
Fact update: The death toll has exceeded 14,800 and is still on the rise as victims are discovered. Authorities are now estimating that over 25,000 may still be buried under debris and mud from landslides.
THURSDAY, MAY 15th
"At 12:00AM on May 15, we contacted with Melody Zhang. Melody told us that they are in Mianyang and on the road to Zitong. They first arrived in Dujiangyan. They met some children, and found the young victims had very serious psychological problems, which are caused by the earthquake disaster.
In Mianyang, they saw many families open the door and welcome the people to live in. A lot of people who have private cars put the red signs on the cars to let people know that they are volunteers to provide free service for those in need. Melody Zhang found two such cars to send the medical supplies and milk to the victims.
Melody Zhang shared all of her food with the victims. She told us by telephone, in the disaster area everything is needed; the children need milk powder, diapers and supplies. People cannot buy these things in stores and shops."
Melody sent us the following pictures:
A young victim
A mother and son
Waiting for help
Melody with children
This sign says, "Please help finding my mother..."
CBN reporter interviewed Melody Zhang. "We have already heard from the director in Wenchuan orphanage they have 37 children there and 20 of them under 2 years old and their building is built in 1980s which is not very steady," Melody Zhang told CBN.
Please watch CBN’s video news on May 14, 2008. http://www.cbn.com/CBNnews/374817.aspx.
*****
Just an FYI: I am still updating the status of individual orphanages (posted below) as they are posted on RQ's website. She has great connections to be able to keep up with all of this information!
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