I read on some Chinese Internet about Juyuan Middle School. My heart goes out for all those kids there. I can't imagine how those parents were feeling right now. My pray goes to all those lives lost in this tragic incident. I hope more people be rescued and the death toll stop climbing.

I was able to talk with my mom on the phone again around 11 pm Chengdu time. She felt many aftershocks, and according to TV news report there, two of them were over 6.0, while six of them were between 5.0 and 5.9.

Fortunately, Chengdu is mostly OK according to my mom, and it is partly due to the fact that many buildings were built to withstand some degree of earthquake impact. However, for safety reason my parents are staying in a four floor hotel in suburban area and plan to go home tomorrow.

One thing my mom told me that really touches me is that lots of people volunteered to donate blood to support the rescue work, here is a link with photos of people donating blood and it said there were five to six places set up in Chengdu city for people to donate blood:
http://www.6park.com/news/messages/81570.html

I just hope I can do something to help the rescue work. For mow I will donate money to the red cross in China, here is the link:
http://www.redcross.org.cn/

Thank you Andrea, Robert, and Malissa and all NPR crew there for your reports. Please do take care!

Sent by yang | 2:10 PM ET | 05-12-2008

What is your photographer doing? Did he take any photos?

Sent by Johnny | 2:19 PM ET | 05-12-2008

So sorry you have to witness the aftermath of this disaster. I wish there were anything I could do to ease their pain for the loss of loved ones, especially those who lost their children. God bless, and I am a truly believer that " to live is to suffer." I hope people affected by this tragedy will heal soon and move on.

Sent by Matthew | 2:30 PM ET | 05-12-2008

This brought back the memory of those terrible scenes I witnessed during Tangshan earthquake in 1976. The whole downtown area was leveled, no building standing, hundreds of thousands of people died. Just wish God bless everyone in Sichuan area safe.

Sent by Peter, OH | 4:34 PM ET | 05-12-2008

I was just listening to Melissa Block recount what she saw at the school, her voice breaking. I had to pull over as the tears came down my face. My heart breaks for those parents, and it aches for the team there covering it. I pray for thier safety and strenght during what must be a horrible time.

Sent by Annie | 4:56 PM ET | 05-12-2008

I just heard Melissa Block's report on the parents identifying their child's body at the scene of the middle school in Sichuan Province. I would like to to say that was the finest piece of reporting I have heard in years. Ms. Block made me feel like I was their, with the grieving parents. It was better than a picture could have done. All I can say this report is why I listen to NPR.

Sent by Dr. David Wachtel | 4:56 PM ET | 05-12-2008

I wept as I listened to Melissa Block's report. My heart broke for the parents of those kids. Thanks for this excellent piece of journalism.

Sent by Mike | 5:12 PM ET | 05-12-2008

My brother is a teacher in Chengdu. Is there any information regarding americans and their current situation?

Sent by Tim Eelman | 5:16 PM ET | 05-12-2008

Andrea:
Can you post this for Americans waiting for their loved ones info in Chengdu:
Please check with Consulate General of American in Chengdu.
Phone: (28) 8558-3992
Fax: (28) 8554-6229
Emergency: 1370-800-1422
Email: ConsularChengdu@state.gov
Emergencies
The ACS Unit provides emergency assistance to American citizens in distress: when an American is destitute, arrested, separated from minor children, or sick. In an emergency, the Consulate Duty Officer can be reached at any time by calling 1370-800-1422.

Dial 01186 before you dial those numbers if you dial from USA

Thank you and your crew's report. Wish you can get some sleep.

Sent by Beverly Peng | 5:44 PM ET | 05-12-2008

Melissa Block's report of the earthquake's effect on the middle school in Juyuan was one of the most evocative radio pieces I have ever heard ~ thank you for such outstanding journalism...

Sent by martin johnsen | 6:17 PM ET | 05-12-2008

I am in tears as I write this note.Disasters happen almost daily somewhere in the world, it is so easy to just accept it-because it is not personal.Melissa Blocks report was so touching. She made it personal.

Sent by Todd Barneck | 6:28 PM ET | 05-12-2008

Melissa Block's first hand report on the devastation and personal loss at the Juyuan Middle School was one of the finest examples of broadcast journalism that I have heard in over 25 years of listening to NPR. You could hear the barely controlled emotion in her voice as she conveyed the unimaginable grief of the parents who lost children in this disaster. Congratulations to Melissa and her on-the-ground team.

Sent by Bronson Dorsey | 7:02 PM ET | 05-12-2008

Can you tell me what happened to those 3 lovely girls of 6 years and 10 years who were seen playing musical instruments on Sunday in the music school before the earthquake happened?

Sent by Carol Coats | 7:36 PM ET | 05-12-2008

I had to stop preparing dinner tonight as I heard Melissa Block's heartwrenching report about the collapse of the middle school. As the parent of a sixth grader, I could only imagine what those parents must be going through. To echo the sentiments of many of the other posters, Melissa's reporting was the best piece of radio journalism I have ever experienced. This is why I listen to NPR.

Sent by Stephanie Franzosa | 8:24 PM ET | 05-12-2008

As of this moment, I still have not had any luck to get in touch with our friends in Dujiangyan. Thank Npr for reporting the story and I am deeply concerned about what has happened in Dujiangyan and the students and teachers there we met last summer.

Leading a group of American high school students from St. Andrew's School at Sewanne Tennessee, I was in city of Dujiangyan last June to visit "Yan Yangchu Engineering College" which I believe is not far from Juyuan Middle school collapsed during the earthquake.

"Yan Yangchu Engineering College" in Dujiangyan is a small, non-profit college, with about 260 stududents, focusing on educating youth from rural and remote countryside in Sichuan province. The school was founded by a group of followers / students of Y.C. James Yen (Chinese ????????? Yan Yangchu) 1890-1990. Yen, known to his many English speaking friends as "Jimmy," was a Chinese educator and organizer who turned to the villages of China to organize Rural Reconstruction, most famously at Ding Xian, a county in Hebei, from 1926-1937. )

The students from St. Andrew's were received warmly by the students and faculties from Yan Yangchu Engineering College at Dujiangyan. Our students and theirs played soccer pingpong, and basketball together. We had been keeping in touch since our visit.

Dujiangyan is one of the most ancient and beautiful cities in China. With the historical site of a large ancient irrigation system built in 250BC, and Min River and Taoist mountain and temples in the area, Dujiangyan is a famous tourist town for foreigners.

Our hearts and prayers go to our friends in Dujiangyan -- hope they are sound and safe. The people and this beautiful city will survive from the disaster.

Sent by Jan Z Edwards | 10:12 PM ET | 05-12-2008

it is quite contrasting to hear of this tragedy and up-to-date information/blogs compared to the Burma horrific tragedy and the lack of adequate material available and their goverment which clearly has low regard for human life

Sent by Michael Silverman, M. D. | 10:24 PM ET | 05-12-2008

I solute your effort to report the earthquake damage in China. However, I am really disappointed by your hosts. At the time when Melissa was at the scene with so many bodies of children, yet your host, Michelle Norris, posed questions like "were you able to travel at all?". Immediately, Melissa took the cue. Then came the instantaneous excitement about "the angry mob and police", who was really trying to make you understand what is common sense and human nature called sympathy. For god's sake, you were reporting a major disaster with nearly 10,000 death toll. Why are you being so cold-blooded?! Shame on you!

Sent by Haiying Huang | 10:35 PM ET | 05-12-2008

I cannot disagree more strongly with the poster at 10:35. Like many other posters, I was deeply moved by Melissa Block's report of the devastation at the middle school and found the report to be compassionate, humane, and heartbreakingly detailed. Thank you NPR.

Sent by Ben Turner | 10:51 PM ET | 05-12-2008

I am in tears , as well after hearing Melissa's report. And after viewing your photo section I saw middle school boy trapped in rubble w/ a helmet on. That could have been my son.
My heart and prayers go out to those who have lost everything in there world today. GOD PLEASE SEND COMFORT TONIGHT
Thanks NPR for for excellent reporting.
Prayers are being said tonight for the journalist as well
by Lori Gribble RN

Sent by Lori Gribble RN | 11:24 PM ET | 05-12-2008

Echoing the comments of many others in acknowledging Melissa Block's emotional reporting of the school tragedy. I, too, cried along with others listening to this on-the-spot reporting. My heart goes out to the parents who've lost their beloved children. Melissa's reporting exemplifies the best of broadcast journalism.

Sent by Susan MacCulloch | 11:53 PM ET | 05-12-2008

Haiyang,

I don't think Melissa was reporting from the scene of the school tragedy. She was on her way back to Chengdu, and calling Michelle from the car. The people at the scene probably didn't want the camera there as they didn't want their children's dead bodies to be on TV. It may be against their cultural beliefs. I don't think Melissa and Michelle are cold blooded. If anything, they appear to be caring human beings.

Sent by Jane | 12:46 AM ET | 05-13-2008

I have heard too many news reports on various disasters over the years, but none has been as heart wrenching as Melissa Block's account on the grieving parents at the Juyuan Middle School. I pray for those students and their parents.

I also want to thank Melissa and the whole NPR team for bravely going out to the center of this horrific disaster and faithfully reporting the tragedy to the world. Thank you so much and please be safe.

Sent by Jian | 12:56 AM ET | 05-13-2008

I just returned three weeks ago from teaching at a public middle school in Shanghai. The teachers and students were so warm, earnest, open minded and hard-working that I didn't want to leave. Children are cherished in China; all the more so because almost all families have only one child. The news of the deaths at the Juyuan Middle School broke my heart. Perhaps disasters such as this will help bring about stricter building codes in China. Too late, sadly, for these irreplaceable, precious children.

Sent by Susan Kennedy | 1:08 AM ET | 05-13-2008

funny, I heard the same piece about the "angry mob" and the explanation. Instead of cold-blooded, I felt the fear that a reporter might have felt in a situation as "outsider", yet the concern was not for their own safety but rather for the suffering of the people and their tremendous loss. From a distance, I appreciated the fact that these journalists could communicate the human nature of their own positions, yet keep us, at such distance, aware of the scope of human suffering of others. Fine reporting.

Sent by joyce van Walsum | 2:19 AM ET | 05-13-2008

Mr.Silverman,
Instead of making statement like "low regard for human life", why don't you do something to help?

Sent by yvess | 2:28 AM ET | 05-13-2008

I used to live near Chengdu I have friends that are teachers is there anyway to find out about them ? One is a teacher in a middle school. My heart goes out to all that have lost someone

Sent by Bill Thill | 7:24 AM ET | 05-13-2008

I too was in tears when I listened to this report. Great report. As a Chinese I'm checking all the media coverage now and your NPR report is by far the most finest, heart-touching reports. Keep up your good work and wish you stay safe.

Just one thing to clear up. It's not acceptable in Chinese culture to take pictures of the dead by strangers/outsiders, let alone foreign reporters. That's disrespect. Considering the pain of the parents at that very moment, it's understandable that they would be angry at some reporter who's just trying to cover the news. I understand you are definitely not that type of reporter, but please be considerate of those people's feelings.
The rescue troops is now in the most hard-hit rural areas. Wish they can save more survivors...

Sent by J.Yang | 9:51 AM ET | 05-13-2008

I was full of tears when I heard Meliss's report on my way home yesterday, it is the most touching report I have ever heard on radio. Thank you NPR, thank you Mellisa and everyone there.

Sent by Zhong Sheng | 9:57 AM ET | 05-13-2008

I listened to Melissa Block's report from Juyuan Middle School scene yesterday and I had to stop my work and clear my eye glasses. I watched her interview on NBC's Good morning America program this morning. I was never so touched/moved by a reporter's voice over the radio. Thanks to NPR, to bring such professional report with such emotion and humanity to the public. I wrote a message in my Chinese blog and hope every reader can see such a dedicated reporter's concern on and care for the victims in such natural disaster without any "bias", as criticized by some Chinese in the past two months. I'm also relieved that she understood the reason why some local people showing some kind of hostile attitude to her. I firmly believe they would greatly appreciate her and NPR's effort when they learn ALL of your dedicated work in some other time. I'll share such story with my friends in China. Best wishes to all of you.

Sent by Peter, OH | 10:28 AM ET | 05-13-2008

I have read the story regarding the children and families at Dujiangyan Middle and I am grieved in my heart for them. I am praying that God heals their hurt and sorrow and that he will give everyone affected by the tragedy of this event the strength to hold on. I am asking for the prayers of everyone reading the happenings of the horrific event so that those that are hurt may be comforted. If I had a way to volunteer in China I would go and help those who are hurt and in need. May the peace of the Lord rest over your spirits.

Sent by Tasha Ladson | 11:18 AM ET | 05-13-2008

Many parents there just lost their only child because of the one-child policy. I am not judging the policy but the fact the family lost their only child makes me feel even sad and heartbroken.

Sent by Connie | 12:49 PM ET | 05-13-2008

I heard Melissa yesterday on the air describing the devastation at a school. It was one of the most moving pieces of journalism I have ever heard. Thank you for your dedication to your profession and your moving story. I donated to the Red Cross today because of you.

Sent by Annie | 6:57 PM ET | 05-13-2008

Thank you, thank you Melissa for such an honest and brave reporting. Like many who felt the same way, this is the single most touching reporting I have ever heard. My heart breaks for the parents and children affected by the tragedy. Thank you for bringing such personal experience to us, no matter how difficult it must have been.

Sent by Kristi Wakabayashi | 7:32 PM ET | 05-13-2008

After hearing the fine reporting of the school collapse and hearing the reporters description of the parents waiting for news of, or staying beside the "babies", I was completely choked up with grief for the survivors.

Then to hear a listener complain of that description of the children as being less than complimentary, I was choked up again, this time with a sudden rage. Your children are your "babies", from the time they are born to the moment of your own death. The Chinese government decree of one child, also makes the couple wait, sometimes for years, for permission. Many of the grieving parents will no chance to have another child, even if the government would allow it. There is no "replacement" of a child, to be sure, but the chance to be able to expand your heart gets radically sidetracked.

As long as I can remember my children AS babies, they will always be MY babies. (Sorry, boys!, love, Mom)

Sent by G Morgan | 12:10 AM ET | 05-14-2008

thank you g morgan for also seeing this complaint about the 'babies.' until i lost my 16 year old, i had no idea how one immediately reacts. now, when i see a movie or read a book, and the grieving parent cries, "my baby" no matter what age their child was, i feel they touch the core of being a loving parent. your grown children are still your babies. we are not supposed to outlive our children. the heart breaks, your baby is gone. i knew that melissa had 'got it' when she said these parents were spending their precious last time with their babies. one of the doctors who watched me after my son died suddenly during a seizure told a friend of mine, it was one of the most poignant experiences he had had. it is hard to witness grief, maybe harder than going through it, because you can't really help. so much pain in all these disasters. kind wishes to all who read this.

Sent by hannah j | 1:52 AM ET | 05-14-2008

An unintended consequence of China's one child policy....every dead youngster is the only child of of his/her parents who themselves are the only children of their parents...6 persons are thus directly affected...their genes and thus hopes and aspirations wiped out in a single tragedy...totally heart-breaking.

Sent by carina short | 8:10 AM ET | 05-14-2008

Melissa - Your description of parents waiting at the middle school for their children was eloquent and heart wrenching. When you ended your story saying they were holding vigil over their babies I knew instantly that you were a mother.

Sent by Kim Thomas | 3:20 PM ET | 05-14-2008

These reports have been heart-rending journalism and, I too, have been driving with tears running down my face experiencing the sadness and loss, particularly of only children. I hope at some later date these reports and reporters will be honored for the work they are doing. Long live NPR. Anne B. Ruben LMFT

Sent by Anne B. Ruben | 12:43 PM ET | 05-15-2008

So very sorry, our hearts are with you and our prayers

Sent by sharona | 5:38 PM ET | 06-27-2008