Keeper of the flame of hope

By Li Xiaoguo and Qin Qing (China Daily)
Updated: 2009-05-11 10:05

Last August, his hard work gained him the title "Outstanding Volunteer" from the Deyang Youth League. When his primary school finally reopened, Li was happy to return to his job.

"The busy days passed quickly but when I had time alone, the wounds in my heart still hurt," Li says.

A new light appeared last September, when experts from the Institute of Psychology at the Chinese Academy of Sciences went to Mianzhu and gave psychological counseling in 43 schools.

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Keeper of the flame of hope Sichuan, One Year On...

The psychologists trained one teacher at each school in counseling, so they could continue to help after the experts had left. Li's school chose him, something he describes as a passage of salvation both for himself and others.

He taught the students all he had learned. Through group games and individual counseling he helped the children adjust themselves and face their sorrow. He spread the message that it was important to rebuild trust in others, regain confidence and emerge from the shadows.

A year on, traces of the earthquake are still visible in western Sichuan but locals have rebuilt their houses with traditional black tiles and whitewashed walls. Tractors still make their way up country paths, taking more construction materials to villages.

Flocks of butterflies hover over wheat that is turning golden and nearby, farmers are already harvesting rapeseed.

Li puts his son on his shoulders, walks deep into the fields and inhales the country air. He has suffered beyond words but in doing so, this lean man has grown broad shoulders, learned how to inspire others and taught himself to live anew.

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