Feature: Post-80´s generation in relief efforts

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Source: CCTV.com | 05-23-2008 13:34

China's post-80s generation has the reputation of being spoiled, immature and self-centered. But many people have now changed their minds after seeing these young people demonstrating social responsibility in the wake of the earthquake.

23-year-old Rong Erjia is a Tibetan working as a full-time volunteer at the People's Hospital of Deyang City.

23-year-old Rong Erjia is a Tibetan working as a full-time volunteer at the People's Hospital of Deyang City.

He is a singer in the Aba Tibetan-Qiang Autonomous Prefecture and arrived in Deyang for a performance a few days before the quake.

Rong Erjia, one volunteer said "I have only slept for about ten hours since the quake on May 12th. Whenever an ambulance arrives, I rush over."

There are several other soldiers, college and high school students of the post-80s generation who are now working as volunteers in the hospital.

Hu Junfeng, another volunteer said "The youngest one of us is only 16 years old. We celebrated his 16th birthday in a tent on Tuesday. As volunteers, we can actually implement our social values."

And all their hard work providing comfort to patients has paid off.

Rong Erjia said "A 12 year-old boy had to be amputated and he said he's fine with that. He wants to continue his studies. I was really moved by him. "

Most of the patients are now being sent to hospitals in bigger cities so the young volunteers will no longer be needed in this hospital. Rong says he intends to write a song about his time here.

The nurses and doctors have changed their views about the post-80s generation saying they are now really adults.

Editor:Xiong Qu