China Disaster

Operation: Tank repair

Friday, June 13th, 2008

YAO JIN VILLAGE, China - The name of the game today was “tank repair.” Most villages in the quake zone have huge concrete water tanks for storage and most of these were cracked during the quake. The cracks range from hairline fissures to gaping 4-inch splits. Either way, cracks and water don’t mix. (more…)

China: Breaking ground, bringing relief

Wednesday, June 11th, 2008


YAO JIN VILLAGE, China – We had another action packed day. In Yao Jin, we diverted the water flow from the village water tank so that we could carry out some vital repairs. (more…)

Powering through the rubble

Monday, June 9th, 2008

SICHUAN PROVINCE, China - I was still responding to the death and destruction that had devastated Myanmar when I read the news: “Massive Earthquake Strikes Central China.” A few weeks later, I’m surrounded by death and destruction yet again. But despite the horrific 7.9-magnitude quake that rocked Sichuan Province, I am also surrounded by remarkable hope and resilience.
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Life begins again for earthquake-devastated village

Friday, June 6th, 2008

YAO JIN VILLAGE, China - Today’s site visit was excellent. The villagers were warm and exceptionally motivated. By tomorrow they will have finished the construction of the ‘bath house.’ (more…)

Rebuilding Schools for China Quake Victims

Tuesday, June 3rd, 2008

Resurrecting Yao Jin village

Saturday, May 31st, 2008


Yesterday I met with the village leaders in Yao Jin and planned “phase one” of the village resurrection project. The mayor wanted to talk about the size of new houses and urged me to focus on rebuilding the first few houses. I explained that building could not occur until clean water, sanitation and debris removal was accomplished. (more…)

Chinese Villagers Rebuild After Quake

Friday, May 30th, 2008

First school built for displaced students

Thursday, May 29th, 2008

We had a 9 a.m. appointment with Mr. Wang, the Executive Director of China Foundation for Poverty Alleviation (CFPA). CFPA is one of the largest humanitarian organizations in China; they have a government mandate to improve the lives of the poor and respond to disasters. CFPA is one of OB China’s primary partners and we are privileged to work with them. (more…)

Earthquake survivors: “Two mountains became one”

Wednesday, May 28th, 2008

I started the day meeting with top government officials and got the green light to bring in large quantities of tents from the U.S. The government has been very cooperative and supportive of our efforts. Now, the challenge is to secure a large donation of family size tents from manufacturers. (more…)

Death comes to quiet village

Monday, May 26th, 2008

Today, the China earthquake of May 12 got up-close and personal. We took a team of volunteers, doctors and a truckload of food and relief supplies, and drove into the mountainous region north of Chengdu, outside the city of Mianyang, and visited two tiny villages that have suffered 100 percent destruction. (more…)

Relief supplies fill the airport

Sunday, May 25th, 2008

Bill Horan arrives in China

At about 3 p.m. today, my taxi rolled up to the sprawling new terminal at Beijing Airport. OB China staffer, James Moo, met me at the curb and explained China Air needed my passport right away. James was breathing hard from running all the way from the ticket counter.

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China in mourning

Tuesday, May 20th, 2008

BEIJING – I was driving on a highway headed out of the city to coordinate donated goods and relief supplies when all other drivers began honking and pulling over. I glanced at the clock and realized it was the moment declared by the national government to launch a 3-day period of mourning. (more…)

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