A Joint Initiative with our Japanese Friend, MAKI: Helping the people of Japan with our Heart

click here: Chinese Version 华文版本

That afternoon on 11^th March 2011, Teacher Tan brought us to help with Grandpa ErBo’s discharge from the Welfare Hospital and to also visit BuQiong’s family. At 15:12, we received this: “Latest news: 8.8-magnitude earthquake rocked North Japan; South East Asia in tsunami alert; everyone please pray together.” Teacher Tan and I remarked: Some joker made up rumours again.

In the evening, just before sending Grandpa ErBo on his way at XiNing station, Teacher Tan called me. He told me that he found out from TV that Japan really did experience an earthquake in addition to tsunami.

17:12 –– I sent a text message to my Japanese friend, MAKI in ChengDu: “I just heard that North Japan had an earthquake, I am not sure how bad it is……I will pray for the people there! Best wishes to your family and friends!”

17:39 –– MAKI replied: “Teacher Meng, thank you for your concerns, my hometown is in the south, Shikoku. I contacted my family through the phone, they’re not affected. New Zealand, Yunnan and now Japan, my heart breaks……”

For SiChuan Earthquake, MAKI has been donating money and resources, working diligently for disaster relief. Not long after Yushu Earthquake, when she found out that we did not have enough medicine supply for the injured, she bought medicine supplies and hired a car from ChengDu to transport them to us together with Mr JiChunYaDao, in addition to RMB2000 donation. In September, when she discovered that we were helping to seek treatment for seriously injured patients as well as preparing for the winter, she immediately donated RMB10000. That money was a timely help from her indeed. The birth of little MeiDuo and her medical rescue are all thanks to MAKI’s donation, which also benefited other critical condition patients. And now, MAKI’s home country Japan is hit by a massive combination of disasters: earthquake, tsunami, fire, and nuclear crisis. How can she not provide help and support to her home country and her fellow country people?

13^th March 2011, 15:24 ––

I just arrived at Yushu. On the way, I received a text message from MAKI: “To everyone who’s supporting disaster relief areas, Hello! I am MAKI, a Japanese who had previously helped with WenChuan and Yushu’s disaster relief efforts. I have just thought out an initiative for the Japanese disaster victims: “Sending Encouragement Messages to Japanese Earthquake disaster victims from WenChuan and Yushu Earthquake disaster victims”. Therefore, your assistance is very much needed! Please add my QQ (1060092183), so that I could tell you more about the details, and for ease of communication in future!”

I forwarded her message to a few of my good friends and posted this on my blog. I also replier her: “Hello MAKI! Teacher Meng fully supports you! Do your best helping the Japanese. The hearts of SiChuan BeiChuan, and Yushu disaster victims are one with the Japanese!”

15:54 –– Mary replied my message with: “I will also support this, waiting for more project details.”

17:42 –– Mother TianTian replied: “Please tell MAKI, Mother TianTian will pray for the Japanese disaster victims! I will donate RMB500, Teacher Meng please give it to her on my behalf in fastest possible way.”

18:45 –– ZengLi called from ChengDu, asking for the exact details to help out with the project, and said: “I was just discussing with DaiXiang about how we could be of help……”

18:48 –– I had a phone conversation with MAKI. As the condition in disaster areas was very serious, and disaster relief efforts have been underway, therefore, we hope that through the connectivity of the web, psychological support could be provided first. The plan is this: to gather and arrange messages expressing SiChuan and Yushu Earthquake disaster victims’ gratitude to the Japanese for providing magnanimous help and support during their time of need. Especially, the encouraging messages conveyed in a language of personal gratitude to the Japanese disaster victims, to provide them with psychological support and mentally-encouraging spirit. These will all be passed to MAKI’s hands, and with the help of her Japanese friend, translate them into Japanese language. Then, the messages will all be sent to Japan through the web, and published on various newspapers and media broadcasts, so that they could be conveyed to all disaster victims, giving them timely and needed psychological support. And when the critical disaster relief phase is over, the messages will be passed once again through postcards to give them further warm-hearted support.

Human beings’ journey of life is a journey of passing between stability and catastrophe. No matter what discords have happened in the past between ethnic groups and countries, or that they have hurt each other in the past, they will not throw away their compassion and their love for life. Other than sincerely heartfelt love, nothing else could save humankind and the planet on which we are surviving upon. A Chinese saying goes: When the lip dies, the teeth feel cold, which illustrates the importance of mutual dependence. Everyone is their own person yet, if you do not show care and concern for others but you expect the same from others and more, does that make sense?! I hope that everyone will support the Japanese disaster victims just like when they supported the Chinese disaster victims! Even your sincerity is enough to help them!!

This is not just my personal initiative, but also an initiative representing all Chinese descendents who willingly supports the Japanese disaster victims! So let’s smile and let bygones be bygones! Courage in the face of adversity! It’s this attitude and spirit that makes us Chinese descendents proud and great!

Written by Teacher Meng under the hazy sky of Yushu

13 March 2011, 20:20

Adapted from:

Teacher Meng’s blog entry dated 13 October 2010

Special thanks to our translator: Ng Lai ThinChinese Version 华文版本

Yushu’s love (12) About a normal and simple “barefoot doctor”

click here: Chinese Version 华文版本

                “Lao Wang” “Brother Wang”, this is what everyone in Yushu calls him. They seems like forgot his real name and background. I would like to write a story about him, yet, I scared it is too early to do so. Yesterday, I heard him talked with his hand phone:”To live as a human… Enjoy your life…” I better take this chance to write a story about him.

                I had known Lao Wang since last year August when I brought some student to be the volunteer of Yushu. Lao Wang said to me that he had met me before at the horse racecourse. I am not a good socialiser; I always follow Teacher Meng when I work. I excused myself once he smoke inside the tent. Hence, Lao Wang acclaimed that I am the “little follower” of Teacher Meng. Who knows, he had chance his thought about me after he heard the news of my real identity. When I follow him to visit the earthquake victims, he treats me as a “professional”, just like I need to get some information from those civilians. He asked me with a concern way, “Teacher Tan, how many houses will you visit? What kind of civilians do you visit?” I replied,” Lao Wang, you are wrong. I am here to learn from you. You had been stayed at Yushu since 26^th April, the patients and civilians that you had treat, had farther away than anyone else! We will follow you to the civilian house that you would like to visit!” Later, Lao Wang had understood everything. We as the teachers and students, who just want to follow him, to the house that he visit and we will get to understand and help more victims.

                Lao Wang always wear a red jacket, black sport pant, wear spectacle, has a dark skin and he is a smoker. What the same is, he is from Northeast China's Heilongjiang, who is also the fellow of Teacher Meng, both of them can cook very well. All the civilians of Yushu called him as “doctor”, while he explained:”I am not a doctor. I am just a volunteer who learn medicine from a doctor for 17 days, I am here to help to treat small injury. After the medical team left Yushu, I decide to stay here and help to send some medicine and change gauzes. ““Which field does you from?” My student asked with curious. Lao Wang replied:”I am just a national level baker’s. I had opened a few bread shops in the past 10 years.” “No wonder Lao Wang does not like to eat bread. He only eats a few cakes during his birthday celebration.” That student murmured. “I had eaten bread for one whole week when I first started to learn baking bread.” Lao Wang replied. No matter is a good news or bad news, every thing that came out from his mouth, will turn to gossip news! That’s Lao Wang life’s experiences.

                Every time when Yushu civilians appreciate and thanks him, Lao Wang always told his history again. He always begin from the first time he meet with the “mystery” Teacher Meng and due to his curious about Teacher Meng, he is willing to stayed back in Yushu after the medical team excused themselves from Yushu. Besides that, he always said:” I do not necessary help people do things, unless I am willing to do. I stayed at Yushu because I want to help those victims here.” Later, I only found out that he had been studied in university for Mathematic course! Do not judge book by its cover. Lao Wang always have a messy hair, wear a big spectacle, with a simply and happy attitude, he do have a kind face. “I had worn this red jacket for 3 months. This is because that is the way every civilians recognize me! Every time when I walked on the street, a car will suddenly stopped beside me, that driver will greet me and invited me to their house to treat patients. This is all because of my jacket! If I change it, I scared that civilians could not recognise me!” Lao Wang, who only bath 6 months once, what about his clothes? After the shocked, many civilians who run away had come back to Yushu and most of them were injured. Lao Wang will use this opportunity to help those civilians, so he brought us to follow him. He always asked those civilians whether there are any injured victims. Lao Wang always said that:”I am very happy to follow Teacher Meng steps and worked with all of you. I am really appreciated that I get to learn a lot of different things by helping Yushu civilians. I am so happy and get blessed!”

               I went back to Yushu again in October, which was my first team work with him. We were help to plaster one patient. Begin from gypsum material until bandage, Lao Wang always treats it carefully. He always comforts his patients while he bandaged his patients. Even his bedside manner is better than other specialists’ doctor. Subsequently, we never expect that the patient husband had saw out her plaster! Lao Wang and I were worried about her, I kept quiet when Lao Wang advise her and explain to her about the advantages. “Maybe I can tie it nicely with other material.”Lao Wang was extremely angry and disappointed with her. The effort of find an orthopaedic doctor for her had wasted. Lao Wang never disappointed with that effort but he was worried that his patient will never cure from the diseases, could not get to walk like normal person. With his “anxious” words, I can understand that he would want to use the concept “respect elderly, and love the young” to treat his patients. His words always touch people heart. I still remember that he told me:” Teacher Tan, I don’t really know what to say to you…I am glad that I get to know the friend like you. I just like to see you live happily…it is better to think before you make up your mind! You should take care of yourself first before you make your other decision. ..” I am glad that I get to know a person who can understand other people needs and mentally. Great!

                Most of the long term volunteers always depend on outsider or relationship to get mentally support, so does Lao Wang. Only, he live depends on the cigarette in his hand. Lao Wang, who always had a smile on his face and always say that:”I’m fine, I’m fine”, will fall sick. I always hear him coughing every day and I would also make a joke with him:”Lao Wang, the sound of your cough may be my morning alarm clock!” Actually, Lao Wang does understand that cigarette had damage his healthy. Lately, I heard that he was willing to stop smoking before he left Yushu. I was happy to hear that.

                Since last time I left Yushu, I felt sorry to him. I had made a deal with him to celebrate New Year in Yushu with him, but I had broken the deal. Hence, I will make a call to him and chat with him while I had extra time in United State. However, there’s a serious mood…”That stomach cancer aunt had pass away! I visited her on 20^th morning, but she had passed away at 11pm! I had visited her in the next morning…but… I always accompanied her since she fell sick…I knew that she had not much time to live…but… I never expect that is so fast! Life as a human, must live in happy life!... This is the first time that I felt “helpless”…Oh ya, I had a dream about her last night…”

“Oh?” That was my first time heard about Lao Wang talked about his dream.”Is good dream or bad dream?”

“I saw that she smiled at me, she even gave me a thumb up.”

“That is a good dream!” Everyone who passes through Yushu will know their way of appreciation. Lao Wang dream had appeared in front of me.

Although I never seen Lao Wang in a “serious” and “incoherent” look, but Lao Wang turned his topic very fast. His tone returns back to normal and asked, “Teacher Tan, how are you? Do you feel depressed now…”

“Haha…I still hear you talking…”

“But……”

                Lao Wang, Lao Wang, although you don’t really understand that tears represent “sadness”, but I knew that you had been hurt by reality, you also felt “helpless” at the moment. You only thought of getting peaceful moment by your way. Celebrate Chinese New Year along, without firework and firecracker. You cooked a table of dishes, invite elderly and young children together, that is your own happiness! I respect you!

                Oh right, I forgot to say, during his way back to his tent after he treat his patients, he had bitten by Tibetan Mastiff! Although he said that he had won in the battle, but we all knew that is an adventurous scene behind. I only heard that he said,” I had sacrificed my lovely pant…” Simple Lao Wang only had his pant for winter. Unfortunately, I stayed far away from him, could not buy him a new pants. Before I hang up my phone, Lao Wang murmured, “Teacher Tan, please take care of yourself. The job in United State is important, but you could not always think of Yushu, that will affect your quality of work. Don’t always send your money to Yushu, you must leave some for yourself, don’t over spend…” Haha, although he don’t know what big life value is, but Lao Wang always kind and generous. He always visit from one tent to another tent, walk towards civilians and understand their hardness. This is what we called the medium of a barefoot doctor and life.

                Lao Wang, my partner, my brother, I am so glad that I get to help Yushu civilians with you.

Dr. Rachel Ting

22/2/2011


Special thanks to our translator: Yap Yiing Jye

Recent happenings in Teacher Meng’s camp

Isn’t this photo beautiful? Especially the mountains. Seems very romantic!

How about when there is a shortage of winter clothes, when there is no place to keep you warm enough?

Living there, how will it be like?

It rained there. Under this kind of environment, how would you feel?

After dinner, the sky turned dark, and the rain turned into snow.

Snow, is it still romantic?

Today, we received a call, a chilling phone call. DuoJie said, officials from XiHang requested them to shift their relief camp to another place, without delay. Because of this, some leaders who are on leave had to be called to deal with this. However, even when they were negotiating in the name of Yushu Earthquake Relief promotion division, the officials gave them no leeway. Other things we can tolerate, but speaking of shifting, we are very troubled. The last time we shifted in May, the three of us worked the whole day and by 4pm, we were all exhausted. Yet, there were still tons of things to be done. Now, we’ve also only three persons. History repeating itself? No idea. Let’s hope that the leaders will be able to arrange a satisfying result.

Isn’t this pouring salt on wound?

Which is colder? The weather, or the heart?

※This entry is permitted as use for reference for disaster relief purposes only. Reasons other than disaster relief purposes are strictly prohibited for use. Contents of this entry are not to be distributed without permission.

Adapted from:

Teacher Meng’s blog entry dated 13 October 2010

Special thanks to our translator: Ng Lai Thin

联合倡议——支持日本友人MAKI：心援特大灾难中的日本人民

Click here:  ENGLISH VERSION 英语版本 

2011年3月11日午后，谭老师开车我们一起去福利医院帮助俄保老人出院返玉树并看望布穷一家。路上，15:12，收到消息“最新消息：日本北方8.8级大地震，东南亚海啸警报，请大家祈祷。”我和谭老师说，不知道又是谁在造谣言。

傍晚，我在西宁汽车站送俄保老人上车前，谭老师电话，说回家看了电视，日本确实发生大地震并海啸。

17:12，我给在成都的日本友人MAKI发信息：“刚听说日本东北部地震了，具体情况我不清楚……我为那里的人民祈祷！问候你的亲人和朋友们！”

17:39  MAKI回短信：“孟老师，谢谢您的关心，我老家在南边四国，我也和家人通了电话了，没受影响，新西兰、云南、接着又在日本，真心痛……”

四川地震，MAKI就一直捐款捐物奔忙在救灾的路上。玉树地震后不久，得知我们为伤员的药品供应不上，她从成都租车与吉椿雅道先生一起购买药品送来玉树，并捐款两千元人民币。9月份得知我们为重伤员寻求治疗以及过冬的帮助，她马上捐款一万元人民币，那真的是雪中送炭的救命钱。梅朵妹妹的出生和病危抢救都多亏了这笔钱，后来几个重病号依然从中受益。而今，MAKI自己的母国日本发生了地震、海啸、火灾、核事故并和的特大灾难，她不能不为自己的祖国和人民寻求必要的帮助和支援。

2011年3月13日15:24，我刚刚抵达玉树，在路上，收到MAKI短信息：“援助灾区的各位，您们好！我是MAKI，曾经为汶川和玉树的灾民到处奔跑的日本人。我现在为日本的灾民想起了一个‘把汶川、玉树地震灾民鼓励的话传给日本灾民的活动’，所以需要您们的帮忙！请把我的QQ（1060092183）加上，我想告诉您详情，也以后方便联系！”

我将此短信转发我的微博和几位好友，并回复：“MAKI好！孟凡龙全力支持你！尽全力援助日本人民。四川北川、玉树灾区人民的心与日本人民的心连在一起！”

15:54，Mary回短信息：“我也支持，静候方案。”

17:42，田田妈妈短信息：“麻烦转告MAKI，田田妈妈为日本受灾人民祈祷！捐500元，麻烦孟老师以最快方式转交”。

18:45，曾俐从成都来电，询问具体援助方式，说“我和戴翔一直在想能为日本灾区做什么……”

18:48，我和MAKI通话，鉴于日本灾区受灾特别严重，救援等等都在展开中，所以，希望通过便捷的互联网首先开展必要的心理援助。也就是把四川、玉树受灾民众和灾区援助人员对日本人民在中国地震时提供的无私支援所表达谢意、尤其是以感同身受的语言给予日本重灾区受难人民以心理的支持与精神的鼓励话语等搜集整理一些，集中到MAKI处，由日本朋友翻译成日文，以中、日文即时通过互联网传送日本，并争取通过相关媒介和媒体播报、传达给日本灾区人民，给予他们及时必要的心理支持。待危险救援期度过后，再用明信片等方式进一步提供更为温暖的援助。

人类的整个生命历程就是一个稳定与灾难频仍交替的历程，无论在民族与国家之间过去曾经发生了什么龌龉，甚至互相伤害，但对生命的悲悯与慈爱不应该因为那些而失掉。除了真心诚意的博爱，没有什么能够拯救人类和人类赖以生存的星球。唇亡则齿寒，每个人都是一个人，若你不关爱对方却想得到随时的关爱，那怎么可能呢！？！愿大家，如支持中国灾区人民一样去支持日本灾区人民！哪怕只是用你的真心就可以帮到他们！！！

这不是我私人的倡议，而是代表所有愿意支持日本灾区人民的中华儿女发出的倡议！一笑泯恩仇！昂然赴大难！古今中国人皆因此而伟大与自豪！

                                                              孟凡龙写于玉树灾区阴霾的天空下

                                                                     2011年3月13日 20:20

Published on 5/3/2011 Sin Chew Kuching