Helping victims be neighborly

By Fei Lai  |   2008-7-3  |     NEWSPAPER EDITION

SHANGHAI social workers are helping survivors of the Sichuan earthquake put their lives together in a place called "Thrifty House," the biggest temporary housing site in Dujiangyan and now home to more than 11,000 people.

The team of 10 social workers led by professors from Shanghai's East China University of Science and Technology are working in Dujiangyan, one of the worst-hit cities in the May 12 quake.

When the team got there less than a week ago, there were 8,000 people living at Qinjian Renjia, or "Thrifty House." In the past few days another 3,000 have joined the crowd.

"This is the biggest temporary housing site in Dujiangyan. It is vital that we teach them how to manage the community properly," said Zhang Yu, vice dean of the university's School of Social Work and Public Administration.

"This is so different from ordinary community life. These temporary shelters have a lot less private space.

"We have to find new ways to keep the peace and give heart to the survivors. It is too easy for neighbors to get on each other's nerves and for small conflicts to escalate."

The Shanghai team visits families, attends community meetings and collects information so that security and health can be maintained. If there are problems, they work out solutions with the residents themselves.

"It is the relationship between people and the environment they live in that matters most now. They have been moved from villages to these temporary houses and they are experiencing physical and mental changes," said Fei Meiping, a professor from ECUST.

"The quake has thrown them into a totally foreign community where they do not know their neighbors. What we are trying to do is to get them to leave their rooms and avoid depression. They must communicate with each other and get back to normal life."

Two days after the team's arrival, residents gathered at the square of the community center for the first time, for dancing.

"Although there was not much emotion expressed on their faces that day, they appeared more positive," Fei said. "We feel their lives are gradually getting back on track. Especially the elderly citizens who have started doing morning exercises and joining in discussions about community affairs."

On Tuesday, the team put on a party to celebrate the birthday of the Chinese Communist Party. Everyone from toddlers to the elderly went to the square to join in the singing and dancing.

"Most of these survivors can be helped with community activities. Leaving their dull life indoors, getting out and talking to neighbors and joining in get-togethers is a good way to raise spirits and regain confidence," Zhang said.

Liu Wei and Nie Zhubing are two postgraduate students from ECUST. They volunteered for the team for the whole of their summer holiday. "As a sociologist-to-be, I am approaching this more professionally than emotionally," said Liu.