We are Sichuanese. We play Majiang and eat chili peppers. Others call this place a paradise for a reason. It has been and will be one.

To help the earthquake rescue efforts, please do whatever you can or make a donation to well established organizations, like the followings. They accept credit cards. If you are in China, try local red crosses and QQ.

香港紅十字會RedCross Hong Kong on-line donation:
https://www.redcross.org.hk/donation/user_donation.asp?langId=2
 
世界宣明會World Vision on-line donation:
https://www.worldvision.org.hk/donation/i-donation.asp?lang=e
 
香港樂施會Oxfam Hong Kong on-line donation:
https://www.oxfam.org.hk/public/contents/category?lang=iso-8859-1&cid=3711

From CNN reporters in Sichuan: http://edition.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/asiapcf/05/14/china.vause/index.html

“Perhaps the most poignant experience came while we were talking to the local party secretary in Che Jia Va, who gave us directions and pointed out various landmarks -- all the while keeping a stoic face. The town was once home to 13,000 people, and 3,000 are still missing, he says.

As he shows me the damage to his community, I ask how many have died. Tears flow down his cheeks, and he makes no effort to wipe them away. He says that as many as 500 are dead, including his parents, his wife and their two children.

In the midst of his anguish, there is a call over his radio. He's needed again, and he runs off -- with apologies -- to go back to work. “