I always think of that earthquake at night

Eleven years old Nima is a handsome Tibetan boy. In the temporary shelter of the village hardest hit by the earthquake, you can always see the boy leading several younger kids to play. As the road was cut off by the landslide triggered by the earthquake, he had to stay at home instead of going to participate in school’s football training. Nima’s grandpa said that Nima is a good football player and was selected to participate in football games out of school.

There are two temporary beds in the tent where Nima’s family stays. “One bed is for my grandparents and another is for my mom and younger brother.” Nima and his dad have slept in the car since the earthquake. “We cannot sleep well in the car, now it is cold at night and the window frosts too.”

The night when the quake shocked, Nima’s parents were not at home, but only his grandparents and the two brothers.  The house of his family is newly built preparing to be used as a hotel to earn a living, for Jiuzhaigou, the county they live in is a popular tourist spot. When the quake hit, Nima and his younger brother were on the fourth floor. “We were going to sleep, suddenly a powerful shake started, I pulled my brother and ran out, at that time my brother did not even wear pants……he cried and said he was scared, I comforted him and told him that I am here to protect you.” Nima succeeded in taking his brother to escape, this is not the first time for him to experience an earthquake. He once experienced one when he attended the school away from the village and he said he was badly frightened at that time.

Because he has learned how to escape from an earthquake in school, Nima was regarded as an “expert” in this aspect among his friends in the village. “During the time of aftershocks, children are always running around aimlessly, some even are so frightened and cry. I told them do not be afraid, they can hold their heads with hands or lie down in place where they are, because head protection is of paramount importance during earthquakes.” Nima and several older children led a group of younger children to conduct escape exercise.

However, this “big brother” among little children also has his own worries and fears, “I am scared as well, I am afraid of stronger earthquakes coming and every night when we sleep in the car I always recall what happened at that night.” Said the boy who bowed his head feebly.

Nima with World Vision  staff.

Nima helps World Vision staff to distribute child friendly kits.

Nima is reading the brochure distributed by World Vision teaching children how to escape from disaster.