Children of Sichuan Earthquake Reconnect with Life via Virtual "Trips" over Azalea's Broadband Wireless Network
Children cut off from the rest of the world in the terrible aftermath of the May Sichuan earthquake have been living in settlements temporarily housing tens of thousands of families affected by the disaster. Some estimates suggest it could be years before their homes are rebuilt and the children are able to look forward to some sort of normalcy in their lives. In the settlement of Dujiangyan in the Sichuan Province, 24,000 people displaced by the quake are calling the temporary village “home”. The settlement includes thousands of school-age children, many of whom lost family members and are trying to deal with not only the terrible memories of the event and its frightening aftershocks, but also the boredom and tedious day-to-day existence of living in a temporary settlement. Many will spend a good portion of their young lives in this settlement until their homes can be safely rebuilt.
What began as a donation of equipment to help early responders, the military, and emergency personnel to locate victims and assist in the cleanup process, is now turning into a lifeline to the outside world for hundreds of Dujiangyan inhabitants every day. Right after the disaster, executives of Azalea Networks acted quickly to offer its Emergency Response Wireless Network (ERWN) system to help establish mobile broadband wireless networks throughout the stricken area. Now, that equipment has become a means of staying in touch with the outside world for families and children living in the settlement.
Recently, Azalea China President Fang Wu visited the area and officially dedicated an Internet Access Zone that consists of dozens of laptop computers for use by anyone in the community. Azalea's wireless network covers the entire settlement providing online access for those with their own computers, but for those without, the Access Zone, or what has come to be called "The Loving Heart Internet Bar" by locals, is a place where anyone can come to connect with loved ones, friends, or just get caught up on current events.
For the hundreds of children in the settlement, "The Loving Heart Internet Bar" has become a tool for education as well. Azalea has established a program to virtually guide the children through areas of China they may never have had the opportunity to visit, including Beijing’s Forbidden City, the Summer Palace, and the Great Wall. During the Olympic Games in Beijing, children will be able to view some events online and cheer for their host country’s athletes as they compete in venues in and around the capital.
According to Azalea CEO John Elms, "Many children in the earthquake area are looking for hope beyond their current situation and surroundings. Our wireless network and education program provide them with the means to learn and concentrate on something other than the disaster that uprooted their lives." He added, "Being connected provides these people with a sense of empowerment and solace in knowing that they too will return to normal lives sometime in the near future."