Their formal education may have been disrupted, but 10 Lower Mainland kinesiology students caught in an earthquake while on a study program in China are learning a lot about helping.
The University College of the Fraser Valley (UCFV) students and their professor, who is keeping a blog on the schools’ website, said they’ve spent the past two days trying to help in Chengdu’s relief efforts.
The death toll in Monday’s earthquake is expected to rise above 50,000 people.
Chris Bertram said the group went to town to donate blood on Wednesday, and yesterday bought and distributed blankets around Sichuan Normal University, where they are staying.
“This proved to be a remarkably significant gesture that probably means as much to our struggle to cope as it will to whomever should end up receiving these blankets,” Bertram wrote.
“It was one of our student’s 21st birthday (yesterday). We bought a birthday cake and had a bit of surprise party for him.”
The group was also given a surprise visit from members of the Canadian consulate and embassy.
UCFV director of international education Karola Stinson arrives in Chengdu today to help work with the university to plan the students’ next few weeks.
