Around the collapsed Credit Cooperatives building in Beichuan county seat, several people scrounged in the muck, without any protective equipment. Using whatever tools they had at hand these volunteer migrant workers from Jiangsu Province tried their best to locate survivors. On a nearby street their bedclothes, soaked by the rain, lay jumbled together.

These volunteers weren't willing to disclose their names but one did say; "We are from Jiangsu Province. We came here when we learned that over 7,000 people had died on May 12. We are all Chinese; we have no money or special ability, just our strength. We can help rebuild or dismantle buildings. We hope to contribute our energy here." These ordinary migrant workers marched on foot to the very center of disaster areas. They worked among the ruins for two days and saved several lives.

Other migrant workers were also seen helping with rescue work at the heavily hit Beichuan Middle School. With their construction skills and experience, they played quite an important role. Each time they heaved up a floor slab, they would shout into dark gaps. If they saw any signs of life they would leap into the ruins. Continuous aftershocks made the cracking floor shake but these men would not abandon any chances of grasping a warm hand and pulling a person out from the devastation.

Medical volunteers to protect lives

Medical volunteers are true angels in quake-hit areas. They bring hope to desperate people. They give survivors first aid and encourage them. They save lives from the jaws of death regardless of their own safety.

At the Mianzhou Hotel in Mianyang City are several medical volunteers hailing from Liaoning Province. Fatigue marks their faces because for three consecutive days none of them have slept soundly.

These medical volunteers pitched tents in daytime but did not sleep in them at night. One explained why: "We have very limited tents and our medical supplies would be ruined by the rain. So we decided to use the tents for storage only."

Their contribution is beyond description. These people are protecting the lives and hopes of others.