As the earthquake toppled many school buildings in Sichuan, some students have been transferred to other provinces to continue their education.

Wherever they go, local children have opened their arms.

Gaotai Yifu Primary School is located in the suburbs of Yinchuan, capital of the northwestern Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, and most students are from impoverished families. But that didn't deprive the children's ability to express love: they saved their best pencils and exercise books for Zhang Luye, a girl from Anxian County in the hardest hit city of Mianyang.

"I was moved when so many children told me they wanted to save the best for Zhang and hoped she would feel happier," said their teacher Yang Hongxia.

UNADDRESSED LETTERS

"My dear little pals, we're all members of one big family, even though we don't know each other and are miles apart," a primary school student in Shanghai wrote in a letter to the quake-affected children in Sichuan, not knowing who was to read his message.

At least 20,000 such un-addressed letters were mailed from Shanghai on Friday carrying the city children's affectionate and encouraging words for their pals. Another 200,000 will follow before Sunday.

Shanghai's post offices have promised to send these letters for free to Sichuan Province, and postal services in Sichuan will deliver them to young quake survivors in hospitals and schools.

"You're not alone," many children wrote. "We're here with you. Be brave and be strong for the sake of those rescuers who pulled you from the ruins, for the sake of your teachers who sacrificed their own lives for you and for everyone who cares for you."

(Xinhua News Agency May 30, 2008)