On Sunday 19th April 2009, Chengdu Sports Aid visited Qipangou School, in the north of Chengdu.
Approximately 30 volunteers organised games and sports for the kids there, who have been displaced by the May 12th 2008 quake, and will have to wait to return to their home town/village schools until they have been reconstructed, which may take years, such was the extent of the devastation.
Chengdu Sports Aid volunteers met at 8:45am on Sunday outside the Chengdu Bookworm and took a bus to the school. On the way, JD, team leader for the day, split the volunteers into sports/games groups, with team leaders for football (soccer), touch rugby, badminton, basketball, skipping/jumping and others. The emphasis is on providing organised and structured activities for the kids, as well as having a lot of fun and exercise.
The photos show that these aims were all achieved. The trip was such a success that regular visits will now be made to Qipangou by the group. Chengdu Sports Aid will also visit other schools, with SQR helping to liaise and coordinate.
If you would like to volunteer for Chengdu Sports Aid, check out the CSA Volunteers Google Groups, or email csa@sichuan-quake-relief.org.
All photos from the 18th and 19th April 2009 from Qipangou copyright Ben Fredman. (Ben went with local students on Saturday, and with Chengdu Sports Aid/SQR/Where There Be Dragons on Sunday).
