Heilongjiang University last Friday was able to raise the sum of 297,000 RMB ($43,000) from lecturers and students in just four hours as donation to the earthquake stricken-areas of South-West China Sichuan province.
The officials of the university set up donation boxes around the campus for all students and lecturers to make their donation.
In the foreign student building, they were able to raise 3,000 RMB from students and 42,000 RMB from lecturers and administrative staff.
In the Chinese students’ buildings, a total of 147,000 RMB was donated by the students and 105,000 by lecturers and other workers.
Interviewing students about the quake by the Heilongjiang TV, most students said they felt said and sorrowful as it was a big disaster for China, considering the developmental strides the government is making. Also they were in praise fro the quick response by the government to save as many lives as possible.
Some of the foreign students said they will be willing to help in whatever way possible especially to do some fund raising activities for more funds especially for the students involved in the quake.
Around the city, on Friday, hundreds of soldiers and police with equipments, food, clothing and medical supplies were seen loading in Lorries and planes for Sichuan.
Even ordinary citizens were seen loading food stuffs and water in their vehicles as they all want to help in their own way.
This quake disaster has shown how united the country is as everyone wants to identify themselves with the suffering of the people. Some of the foreign students I spoke to were all in praise of the government for their timely intervention in the crisis.
A Russian student Sasha said this is the very first time he had read news from the West praising the Chinese government in the disaster. He said he was happy for the government and the workers who were very determine in saving as many lives as possible.
It is expected that foreign students of the university will do some fundraising in the coming days for the victims.
By Austin Thomas in China