Comments on: Laowai Quake Relief Part III: Media Coverage vs. Reality

By: Laowai Quake Relief Part V: Emergency Evangelism | Lost Laowai China Blog

Laowai Quake Relief Part V: Emergency Evangelism | Lost Laowai China Blog — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 02:32:28 +0000

[...] enough, and so hopped into Turner’s car and pointed it towards Chengdu. Read Part I, Part II, Part III, and Part [...]

By: Ryan

Ryan — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 12:03:23 +0000

@Timothy Adam Chuter: Please check out Turner's most recent post - it speaks to exactly that.

By: Timothy Adam Chuter

Timothy Adam Chuter — Sat, 31 May 2008 15:02:52 +0000

I am interested to read your thoughts concerning Heart to Heart before possibly assisting them. I’ll be waiting patiently.

By: Laowai Quake Relief Part IV: The Youth Lead by Example | Lost Laowai China Blog

Mon, 26 May 2008 10:51:46 +0000

[...] Laowai Quake Relief Part IV: The Youth Lead by Example by Guest Laowai in Chinese Culture, General, Guest Posts What follows is the fourth part of a series of posts we’re running by fellow Laowai – Turner Sparks. Turner and his friend Jake decided just sitting around Suzhou and watching quake relief efforts on TV was not good enough, and so hopped into Turner’s car and pointed it towards Chengdu. Read Part I, Part II and Part III [...]

By: The China Daily Baily Diary » Are You Free?

The China Daily Baily Diary » Are You Free? — Sat, 24 May 2008 00:52:33 +0000

[...] need a lot of physical help in Chengdu. Please see the “Lost Laowai” site for [...]

By: Turner

Turner — Fri, 23 May 2008 18:57:28 +0000

Actually,
Jake and I just got through with a couple days donating our time and efforts to Heart to Heart International and we have come to learn a few things about the real intentions of their group. I will not judge if they are good or bad but a full analysis will be presented in a future post.
As to the notion of people selling bootleg tents, I haven’t seen it at all although that doesn’t mean it isn’t happening. I honestly doubt it is happening as the people in Chengdu have a strong feeling of community that could be compared closely to NYC after 9/11, and if something like this was happening I believe the word would get out quickly.
Logistically, this article hits it on the head. This place needs a definate leader who can delegate responsibility and put people to work. Everyone wants to help out but nobody has a leader telling them what to do. This goes for the Chinese organizations (Red Cross) as well as the foreign ones (Heart to Heart). Hopefully in th near future everyone can designate a leader to make tough decisions and get everyone to work efficiently.

By: Neddy

Neddy — Fri, 23 May 2008 14:46:45 +0000

This series is a great contribution to understanding the events, and the secret seems to be in its “feet on the ground” perspective. Thanks to the guys for not only what they have done, but also for telling us about it.

Which brings me to my question: Read the recent Danwei article
Compassion, logistics, and nerves begin to fray in Chengdu:

“But by the time Jiao Na arrived, the aid structure was clogged, charlatans and con men had begun to take advantage of the situation, creating fraudulent donation websites and selling stolen donated supplies like tent materials on the side of the road. According to an employee of a local chamber of commerce, the local business community is also confused and exhausted by the unending appeals for aid from a multitude of just-sprung-to-life aid organizations. China has little experience with NGOs; civil society initiatives are the province of the government. Now there are student groups, foreign aid organizations, individuals, and various government agencies all acting at the same time, but not in concert.”

The article actually is not as sensational as it may seem from the quote; there are some good points and concerns. I wonder if anyone out there with hands on experience could help us to fit this piece of jigsaw into the picture.