People in quake zone rely on own efforts in rebuilding

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Source: CCTV.com | 05-30-2008 13:40

In Sichuan's quake stricken regions, many people are doing what they can to rebuild homes and reopen businesses by themselves. They are doing what they can to be self-reliant, as relief goods pour into quake-ravaged areas of the province.

In Sichuan's quake stricken regions, many people are  doing what they can to rebuild homes and reopen businesses by themselves.

Villager Zheng Changqing is in the middle of building a simple house for his family of seven. He says he used building materials from his older sister's former house to build his new house, along with other material in the quake-stricken area.

Zheng Changqing talked to reporters about the various functions of each part of his new dwelling.

"Why do you have to build it on your own, instead of waiting for the government to do it for you."

Zheng Changqing, Villager of Siwen, Tongji Town in Pengzhou City said "No need to give the government any more troubles, since we can manage it ourselves."

"Do the other villagers think so too?"

Zheng Changqing said "Yeah, they're all doing the same thing."

Luo Guanghua, Secretary of Siwen, Tongji Town in Pengzhou City said "About 500 of these simple houses have been built in this area."

Some of the villagers have even built their homes with ways to help them make a little money to support themselves, such as hair salons. They say it helps take away some of the heavy burden on the government. And provides a way to make some money at the same time.

Luo Guanghua said "The way they are relying on their own efforts to get themselves out of this difficult situation has saved a lot of time and energy for the government at all levels so that we are able to deal with other matters."

Over in Tuhao Village of Chengxian County in Gansu Province, one of the hardest-affected regions, villagers have organized a "Mutual Help Team". They help each other in various ways, from rebuilding houses to gathering crops and food. Villager Tan Jin expressed his gratitude for the leaders of the village.

Tan Jin, Ruhao Villager of Chenxian County of Gansu Province said "They have been working for me all this time, day and night. They hardly eat or drink. They are busy working both on the relief work and our grain reaping. They very much care about the well-being of us folks."

The village leaders and policy makers help support the people with their farm work as the villagers try their best to get back on their own feet and be self-reliant. The leaders also provide assistance as villagers prepare practical plans to build their houses, going forward.

Businesses and factories are also doing their best to get back on track. The hard-hit Oriental Turbo Factory has been able to restore production. But it's still challenging to get badly needed equipment through customs at Chengdu Airport. That's because the company lacks enough money as well as necessary documents.

Zhu Yiren, Director of Chengdu Customs said "For this set of equipment which is worth billions of US dollars, they have to pay 500 thousand dollars and show related credentials, which they lack. "

But staff at Chengdu Customs were able to make an exception to let the factory get what they needed without going through all of the usual procedures. They are trying to make adjustments for exceptional circumstances during this time of crisis.

Editor:Xiong Qu