"The news came as a complete shock. Nothing can prepare you for news of such devastation in your homeland. The death toll is beyond all imagination," recalls Zheng Xiao Yao, 2nd year Nilai University College (Nilai UC) Australian Degree Programme student from China. "However, we must thank our lucky stars as none of the students at Nilai UC were directly affected by the earthquake in Sichuan."
Zheng, who is the President of the China Society at Nilai UC, quickly mobilised his fellow countrymen at Nilai UC into setting up a collection booth. Nilai UC administration also responded by stating that it would match Ringgit-for-Ringgit the amount collected by the China Society students. In the space of a few days, they had managed to collect RM8,000 from students and staff on campus. Thus the total amount of RM16,000 was to be handed over to officials at the Chinese Embassy.
"I wanted to be there myself to help the victims in Sichuan but I could not be there physically. Being here in Malaysia, raising funds for the victims was the most practical way for me to help them. The donation drive went well as we had experience organising these kinds of activities as part of the co-curricular activities we do at Nilai UC. I am really thankful that I am able to help the victims in this way", says Meng Di, China Society member and 2nd year student in the Australian Degree Programme.
On 27th June, a Nilai UC delegation comprising of Michael Yei (Director of Department of Student Affairs), Law Siong Teng (Business Development Unit), Joanne Chan (Corporate Communications), Zheng and Meng Di presented a mock cheque to Gu Hongxing, First Secretary & Head of Cultural Office at the China Embassy in Kuala Lumpur. Yei also signed the condolence book at the embassy.
"We at Nilai UC fully support such donation drives not just for humanitarian causes but also to instill in students a sense of responsibility towards their fellow man. This is very much in line with our 'Enrichment For Life' concept in building all rounded characters," says Yei.
Perhaps Zheng best summed up a true insight into how this tragedy has affected the people of China. "I was moved when my friend told me that he was so worried for his family in Sichuan when he did not hear any news from them for 3 weeks after the earthquake. He later found out that his house had collapsed, however his parents were safe. His father, who was a policeman left everything and worked tirelessly for 3 weeks helping in the search and rescue of survivors. His mother, a doctor, was at the hospital saving lives. I feel that the people of China 'found' themselves. They realised after this incident that there was more to life than just pursuing wealth. The government and people of China began to show their capacity to love and this moved me to want to help in whatever way I could. The best I could do at that moment was to start a fund to collect donations from the staff and students of Nilai UC".
