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Four young ladies who survived in the Sichuan earthquake in 2008 today (August 11) visited the Lai King Correctional Institution (LKCI) and shared their experiences in facing calamity with young female inmates.
At the invitation of the Lions Clubs International District 303 HK & Macao, China - Wenchuan Earthquake Relief Committee, the 19 to 20 years old Miss Yang Liu, Miss Chen Juan, Miss Qing Jingwen and Miss Wang Li are in Hong Kong for a six-day visit. The aim of their trip is to thank donors from Hong Kong and Macao for their generous contribution in cash to help Sichuan reconstruct as well as to promote the value of life.
After the disaster, Correctional Services Department staff raised over $1.5 million through different channels for the post-earthquake relief work in Sichuan. Some 1,200 inmates from various institutions also donated nearly $250,000 for those who are affected by the disaster.
This morning, they toured classrooms, multi-function rooms, workshops and dormitories in LKCI to see the various services provided to inmates by the department.
About 80 inmates who attended the sharing session were deeply impressed by their encounter in the earthquake. They learned that Miss Yang had both of her feet surgically removed without anaesthesia in the disaster area; Miss Qing and Miss Wang lost their right and left legs after being buried for nearly 70 and 20 hours respectively.
The four studied in the same secondary school before the disaster and after that, although each of them encountered trauma, with their hard work and perseverance, they become university students now.
They encouraged inmates to face adverse life positively and to be strong and brave in overcoming difficulties in future.
Ends/Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Issued at HKT 16:54
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