From The Times

June 5, 2008

China's bereaved families adopt earthquake orphans

Jane Macartney in Beijing

Three weeks after China's devastating earthquake the authorities have taken steps to alleviate the suffering of bereaved families, but also moved to prevent growing criticism of the state for the high proportion of pupils killed in their classrooms.

Many of the children orphaned could end up being adopted by parents who lost children in the quake, according to guidelines issued by the Ministry of Civil Affairs and the provincial government. About 1,869 children were orphaned by the tremor, and another 9,000 were killed in collapsed schools.

The first aim will be to find homes for the children with any surviving relatives, according to the guidelines. Those from local ethnic minority groups, such as the mountain-living Qiang or Tibetans, will be found homes that will ensure the minimum of disruption as well as respect for their religious traditions.

Parents who have lost their children in the tremor will be considered first for adopting orphans whose family members cannot be found. This will help to ensure that the children remain in villages or towns as close as possible to where they once lived. Children aged 10 and over will be consulted to obtain their agreement in any adoption.

The imaginative solution, however, has been coupled by a crackdown by the authorities in southwestern Sichuan province against parents who blame poorly built schools for their children's death. Yesterday police blocked access to several collapsed schools after angry parents tried to demonstrate beside the rubble or outside local government offices.

At the Juyuan Middle School, where more than 270 students were crushed to death, a cordon of police now blocks parents and journalists from the site. Notices give warning against illegal gatherings.

A day earlier parents who gathered outside a courthouse to demand justice for their children, whose deaths they blame on shoddy construction, were dispersed forcibly by the police. It was the first sign of tough action by the security authorities against distraught parents who have been holding impromptu gatherings and memorial services to vent their anger.

The deaths of the students, most of them single children born under China's “one couple, one child” family planning policy, has become a focus in China, fuelling accusations of corruption in the building of schools.

Anguished parents have noted the steel rods in broken concrete slabs that were thinner than a ballpoint pen among the 7,000 classrooms that collapsed. Such buildings where cement was often diluted so that officials and construction companies could skim off more profits, are known widely as “tofu dregs” in China.

Compensation is being offered to some bereaved families. Each parent who lost an only child is to receive £75 a year. But many feel that they have nothing left to lose and are showing little fear of the security apparatus.

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COMMENTS

We do not all agree with what China is doing maybe, but, the UK did this during the war and saved many children. They have responded fast and worked to save as many as they can. The treatment of the parents that lost children is a crime. If china wants to join the world, they better wake up.

Jay, Titusville, usa

Let me first send our condolences to the Government /people of China, as a humble American it is quite a lesson how your Government was on the scene within half hour of the desaster, no reports of looting other than people helping each other out. How can we help China through this?

A. Thomas, St Andrews,

Considering the devastation that the people of China have suffered through, I think that their gov is doing an excellent job of addressing the most important issues first. Look at their gov's reaction and compare it to our gov's during Hurricane Katrina. 3 years later and still poor gov policies.

Suzanne Larson, Gretna, USA

Given the family culture, orphaned children with relatives is the best idea. Put them with parents who have lost thier only child might not be the best for the parent or child.

Laura, Romeoville, USA

I feel the pain and sorrow to those who have lost their beloved ones. We wish that life is much more beautiful that what had happened. However, severe punishment should be meted out on those who build the 'tofu' schools as a result of corruption. They should be hanged in all moral rights.

BeeSee, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Don't throw your angry words just by reading those bias articles. China has 5000 years culture. People have been through too much tribulation to have such a peaceful position (56 minorities as a family) today. So don't blame anyone. Time will prove the truth.

Yolanda, Sunnyvale, USA

As a Hongkongnese, our heart definitely goes to those parents who lost their children in the earthquake. However, let' be fair. Chinese government has done remarkable job in saving people's life. Lots of villages and towns (including schools and hospitals) are completely wiped up from this tragedy.

jack han, Hong Kong, china

This will happen again in other parts of China if there is another quake. I've watched as new apartments and schools go up around me. They are built with concrete that crackes the first winter and steel (maybe) rods no bigger around than my thumb (ring size 6-7). Chinese should demand better.

Hui Qi, Jinan, China

My Heart goes out to all the Family and especially the children who have lost a loved one., But are these parents and children ready for more hurtles in their life and do they have a home, food, water? while there's so much anger in the air???

carol, cincinnati, usa

As an adoptive mother, I'll say that adoption agencies in the US make effort sto insure that potential parents have the right mindset before adopting a child (e.g., that they are not still grieving a miscarriage or inability to get pregnant). Adoption should be a heartfelt choice not last resort.

Shelly, Waukesha, US

I think the chinese gov't is so corrupt - money talks and people are dispensable. The chinese are heavily invested in Africa which is also a very corrupt controlled country. Its doubtful the corruption will end without the people rebelling against it. My prayers for healing in your sorrow.

Bettyann , Monroe, USA

I agree with Jenny, fr. London. Parents who's lost their child in the earthquake aren't ready to adopt. Chldrn. whose become orphans also need love and support, and edu. in a calm envrnmnt. Given China's close-knit familial ties, either 1 could resent ea. other privately if not evenly distributed.

Kam, West Covina,

Please, no one wants this to happen. What the chinese government is doing is for the best given the situation and all will be consulted.

David, Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia

If I were one of the parents whose child died, I would secretly feel resentful if I adopted an orphan because my child died while that child was still alive. Also, the Chinese government has shown disdain and disrespect for the grief of parents to think that they can substitute one child for another

kathy, madison, usa

How can earth quake victim parents can care for the well being of the adopted child without a family structures, the families themselves does not have a roof over their , food to eat and grieving for their own loss.Chinese govt should think of a better solutions for the traumatized childrens.

dechen, madison, USA

As a Hongkongnese, our heart definitely goes to those parents who lost their children in the huge earthquake, but let' be fair. Chinese government has done remarkable job in saving people's life. Lots of villages and towns (including schools and hospitals) are completely wiped up from the tragedy.

jack han, Hong Kong, china

To: Joe, Shanghai, China
from what i've read, no one forces anyone to adopt anyone. every adoption will be done voluntarily. bereaved falimies also have to meet the criteria if they want to adopt any child. so why is that so idiotic?

Nonothing, Glasgow,

the only concern should be that the orphaned children are provided with stability, security and love at this time. making decisions that are to hasty will cause more pain for these kids in the long term. i feel sorry for chinese people to have such a disgraceful corrupt government, they should go

william gibbons, chengdu, china

If this many people died in the US or UK from such a disaster, there would be a revolution, and the government would be overthrown. China is one big disaster waiting to happen.

Mark, ss,

Joe please. what's wrong with this? It might sounds wrong from the appearance but deeply inside it might do good for both parents and children.
Of course they need conselling to help them to achieve a peaceful family and adoption is optional. The government doesn't force parents to do so.

Clare, Chengdu,

i think it's a wise idea. same experience and same feelings would hold them strongly together.

Grace, Nanchang, china

I hope this works out for all concerned. I disagree with Jenny -- those bereaved children who are placed with relatives will also be living among grieving adults. Family relationships are very close and very important in China, and any loss is keenly felt.

Lynn, Bucks County, PA, USA

Only China government can figure out such idiotic solution.
They treat them like animal, not human with feelings.

Joe, Shanghai, China

Jenny, I think it is good idea. You don't think so only because you don't know deep about Chinese family culture and family compassion. Just a simply curious wonder, if this idea is in UK, what will ordinary people think?

John Flaming, London,

i think that is not a bad idea. bereaved parents have deeper feeling about losting being loved. they are sure to have more sympathy for those bereaved children. they will devoted their love to these children.

july, zhuji, china

While I have every sympathy for China's bereaved parents, I think that giving them earthquake orphans to adopt is a terrible idea. Bereaved children need calm compassion, not a pair of grieving adults absorbed in the loss of their dead child.

Jenny , London, UK