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Two staff members from Holland »¢Ñ¨ÊÓƵtraveled to China recently to survey the devastation caused by the recent earthquake, to visit friends who had been deeply affected by the tragedy, and to discuss how the college could help the region recover with local officials. Holland »¢Ñ¨ÊÓƵhas strong ties to the area through the recently completed Enhance Rural Teacher Training pilot project.

Dave Beaton, director of programs, and Jolene Chan, manager of international development, met with representatives from the Sichuan Provincial Department of Education, the Wenchuan Teacher Training Centre, and two teachers from the Yingxiu Primary School who survived the earthquake. The Chinese government is in the process of planning infrastructure reconstruction. Although the Wenchuan earthquake was officially classified as a magnitude of eight, the power of the quake in Yingxiu County was up to a magnitude of 11. Yingxiu Primary School was the most seriously damaged amongst the schools involved in Holland College’s ERTT project.

A group of concerned Holland »¢Ñ¨ÊÓƵstaff and faculty organized a fund raiser recently, raising $18,000 to help the schools in the area. Beaton and Chan discussed the disbursement of the money raised with Chinese officials. The Chinese officials suggested that the best way to help would be to invest the money to establish a computer lab in the Yingxiu Primary School.

Although the Chinese government is providing funding to rebuild the schools and equip them with the basic necessities, there will be no money available for building additional features such as computer labs.  By building a computer lab and installing educational software, students at Yingxiu Primary School will be able to enjoy state-of-the-art learning, something that was not available to them before the earthquake.

It is estimated that a 20-station computer lab complete with furniture will cost approximately $30,000 Canadian. Chan thinks that this is the most effective way to help.

“Many professionals and international agencies have helped provide victims with relief and are prepared to help rebuild the stricken areas. It is beyond our capability to even rebuild a single school, but our funds can be meaningfully put towards building a computer lab that will benefit the students, especially the students who have been a part of our ERTT project pilot schools. If we can achieve the goal of providing assistance in this manner, we will enhance the learning opportunities of these children, and the ERTT project team, along with the Canadian donors, will be left with a great sense of achievement,” she said.

During the meeting, two teachers from Yingxiu Primary School who survived the earthquake told of the personal tragedies many of the teachers and their families experienced as a result of the earthquake. Teacher Yu Qing lost her husband and her home, and her eight-year-old daughter’s hand had to be amputated. Another teacher, Dong Xuefeng, lost his wife, his son, and his mother in the earthquake. Teacher Feng Jingsha and her husband lost their lives in the earthquake, leaving behind their three-year-old daughter. Two teachers, Lian Rong and Cheng Xiaoqing, died after helping students evacuate during the disaster. Lian is survived by her four-year-old daughter. The principal of the school, Tan Guoxiang lost his wife in the tragedy.

Fundraising efforts will continue at the college in the upcoming months.