After the earthquake that devastated portions of southwestern China in May, some people in Oklahoma knew they wanted to do something, said Berlin Fang, associate director of the North Institute for Educational Technology at Oklahoma Christian.
"The impact is unimaginable. Mostly our hearts were broken,” Fang said.
Although neither friends nor family were hurt, Fang and colleagues started collecting money and want to raise $50,000 to build a school for orphans in China.
In addition, the children's ministry at Quail Springs Church of Christ in Edmond is raising money to help children affected by the earthquake.
Jocelyn Wang, international programs coordinator in the university, who came to the United States about three years ago, said she didn't hear about the quake until she arrived at work. Wang said she also thought the people here should do something to help.
"Our government did a lot. They tried to save the lives as soon as possible. It's a big project really,” Wang said. "To rebuild ... it takes probably more than 10 years.”
Bowen Hou,19, a sophomore at Oklahoma Christian, said people should help recovery efforts no matter where disasters are, but he and other students didn't know how to help after the earthquake struck their home country.
"The professors, they gave us a chance to do that. They made us feel better,” Hou said. "This time I think it's a very big destruction. Everything almost is ruined in that area and a lot of people died. I think that is the most important.”
Fang said he also is working with people in West Virginia, where he lived before coming to Oklahoma, to raise money there as well.
"I think it's a great symbol of how human beings can be linked together,” Fang said.
"I hope that people will see that people here in Oklahoma really do care about what happens in other parts of the world.”
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Faith Fang and Frank Fang, children of Berlin Fang collected money in May at Quail Springs Mall for earthquake relief. Photo provided by Berlin Fang
Quake relief
To help Oklahoma Christian University earthquake relief effort, go to earthquakechildren.wetpaint.com or call Berlin Fang at 425-1858.
To help Quail Springs Church of Christ relief efforts, call Melanie Lee at 755-4790.
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