Many people lost their homes and relatives in the earthquake. But instead of feeling hopeless, some are managing to be strong and help others. Our reporter Pan Deng follows a disabled farmer who lost his son in the quake in one of the worst-hit areas.
Helping hands from a disabled farmer (Photo: CCTV.com)
It's a long way to recover. This road is now tougher for Huang Gang. He lost his son in the disaster.
"Every time I think about my boy, I feel so sad. It's fine when I am not thinking about anything, but I feel sad when I touch this scar. He was just 16. Actually he didn't even reach his 16th birthday, it was still couple of months away. Yes, I am deep in sadness, but I have to help others to carry their children's bodies home. All the kids are the same. They studied in the same class. I have to take all of them back. I'm disabled, so I can't carry them, but I have my vehicle."
As well as losing his son, he also lost his newly-built house, which cost nearly all of his savings. It will have to be torn down and rebuilt.
But Huang Gang doesn't stop for a single day helping carry basic necessities to other people in the village. He's widely called the "helping hand of the village".
Helping hands from a disabled farmer (Photo: CCTV.com)
First, he has to pick things up from the temporary village store.
He said he couldn't carry things, but he did try his utmost. "This isn't the largest amount. Usually I have to load stuff up to here. Sometimes my vehicle can't carry all the goods for the day."
He then distributes them to every villager in need. In this mountainous village, the houses are scattered. It usually takes him nearly 3 hours to finish a day's distribution.
He has to rush and has no time to chat more. People here tell me that rain or sunshine, Huang Gang always show up with his vehicle and things they need.
(CCTV June 2, 2008)