Quake kids need psychological support

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Chen Xuefeng, UNICEF Child Protection Specialist, said, "They can make many kinds of things they have seen and experienced in their lives. So, they can express them. They feel very productive. The sense of control will help them build confidence, and the confidence helps them to cope with the environment."

Nearly every day, children at Hongbai town come to the Child  Friendly Space.

Chen Xuefeng says that some 90 to 95 percent of the children with trauma can recover through social support. But children who lost parents during the quake need long-term treatment. The town needs just that type of support Chen says that seven months on, the target is only being partially met. And Hongbai is no isolated case.

An official says the quake flattened the schools and took the lives of 161 children, over a fifth of of those in the town.

Zhang Defeng, chairwoman of Women & Children's Federation, Hongbaitown, said, " Many students dare not go into buildings. They cry and shout and find an excuse to flee. They miss their dead classmates. "

Hongbai's students are still trying to deal with their memories of their school buildings collapsing. Added to this are the loss of their classmates and numerous physical handicaps.