Dear teachers and students,

      At 14:28, May 12, 2008, an unexpected overwhelming disaster struck Wenchuan Town, Sichuan Province. The earthquake of 7.8 degree resulted in huge damage, 12012 people killed, 9404 buried and 7841 missing, according to incomplete data by 19 o’clock, May 13. Moreover, the numbers are stilling in increase.

      This is a day of sadness, life ending in a second. Thousands of people will never see shining sun in the morning and the twinkling stars at night. This is a day of grief. A school building collapsed at Juyuan Town Middle School and students of 18 classes were buried; in another collapse of school building in Xiang’e Middle School, less than 100 students out of 420 were saved; students and teachers in 21 classrooms were buried in the ruins of collapsed school buildings at Beichuan Middle School and an estimated number of over 1000 people were killed or missing. Many schools were reduced to ruins suddenly, thousands of children lost their young lives in distress and numerous students are expecting us to rescue them under the demolitions.

      They are our brothers and sisters, the children in the stricken areas. As we all know, more strength means more opportunities to win the battle against the calamity and more resources mean more people will be saved. At this moment, our hearts are bleeding! We wish from the bottom of our hearts that our power will be passed on to the stricken areas. Therefore, IVT is putting forward to a proposal that we donate our money to help the people in need to overcome the difficulties!

    Unity is strength. Let us work together and carry forward our love. Hand in hand, we IVT teachers and students are of one mind with the people in disaster areas. The deadline for donation is 3 o’clock this afternoon and all the money collected will be sent to the people the earthquake areas via Suzhou Municipal Red Cross. Today, we expect you and your family to give your hand and love. We believe our true feelings can enlighten the fire of hope and we believe our blessings will bring them courage and power to win the battle!