On May 12, 2008, a powerful earthquake rocked Sichuan province in China.  The disaster left 4.8 million Chinese homeless, and claimed nearly 70,000 lives.

For two little girls, these staggering statistics meant almost nothing.  Xiao Hua only knew she had no more school to attend.  Haiyan's main focus was her home, which had collapsed into rubble.

In the months following the quake, World Vision worked to meet the immediate survival needs of children like Xiao Hua and Haiyan.  After that, we worked to ensure they had safe places to live and learn. 

Xiao Hua has cerebral palsy and has been studying in a prefabricated classroom, provided by World Vision.  But according to her teacher, the nine-year-old has never done better in school. Xiao Hua proudly shows the back-to-school kit she received from World Vision, and awaits the opening of her new school building in May.

Eight-year-old Haiyan and her family moved into their newly rebuilt home during the Chinese New Year in January.  With a smile on her face, she says: “I like my new home.  Thank you very much for helping me rebuild my house!”

By next year, World Vision will have built or repaired 6,300 homes, 72 schools and 10 health clinics.

Xiao Hua's new school
Haiyan's new home

World Vision subsidized the construction of this new school for the children in Xiao Hua’s village and surrounding area.
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A backpack from World Vision, stocked with school supplies, encouraged Xiao Hua to learn in the months following the quake.
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Haiyan fixes her eyes on her new home. World Vision paid for the materials, and neighbors pitched in to build it.
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