Quake Orphan Moves Forward with Love

The Sichuan provincial government says more than 600 children were left orphaned by the 2008 Wenchuan earthquake. They might be considered the most vulnerable of all the survivors.

Most of them have been cared for by government-funded welfare associations and orphanages, and a few are living with relatives. CCTV reporter Han Bin revisits one orphan he met in a rescue hospital three years ago, and finds how love has helped him move forward slowly.

Tomorrow in "Wenchuan 3 Years On", Han Bin examines the re-employment prospects for survivors in quake-hit areas. He finds out that creating jobs remains a major challenge for the government.

This was Zhang Xiaocong three years ago.

He was brought to the temporary ward, with a fractured leg.

This is Zhang Xiaocong today. The 8-year-old attends a primary school in Mainchi Town.

Xiaocong was too young to remember what happened to his parents, and cannot express how it feels to be an orphan. But the teachers tell us he is much more open than before.

Wu Pingxiang, teacher of July 1st Primary School, Mianchi town, said, "When Xiaocong first came here, he was reluctant to talk. But we have spent a lot of time with him and found out that he can also be talkative. His answers sometimes are unexpected.”

The teachers have never told his classmates that Xiaocong is different. They fear the other children might taunt him for being an orphan. Xiaocong is still introverted and sensitive. He's a boarding student during the school week, and this has helped him make new friends.

Xiaocong did not finish the first year in primary school--he couldn't concentrate. But during the second year, he's doing much better.

We revisited Zhang Xiaocong two years ago. He hadn't been sent to an orphanage. He was living with his grandfather, Zhang Mengtang.

Grandfather Zhang showed us pictures of Xiaocong's parents. They shielded the boy from falling rocks with their bodies. The quake destroyed their home on the high mountain.

Today, Zhang Mengtang has moved into permanent new housing, built by money donated by society and the government.

But Zhang Mengtang still worries about Xiaocong's future.

Zhang said, "My biggest wish is to help Xiaocong finish school and become a useful member of society. This is the best way to thank the country, as well as all those who have helped him."

Helping Xiaocong live a positive life often overwhelms the grandfather.

Zhang said, "Once, Xiaocong found a picture of his father. He then cried for a whole day. After that we had to hide all pictures of his parents and never let him see them again. We've tried hard to make him feel calm towards life and study."

Society has given Xiaocong much support.

But however well other people treat him, there's a loss he may never get over completely.

Han Bin said, This is my 3rd time to see Zhang Xiaocong. Although he has grown up a lot, we still dared not talk to him about the disaster. For Zhang Xiaocong, it was a miracle to survive. Yet the psychological consequences mean his next big challenge is life itself.”