Seeds of Love

In the afternoon of May 12th 2008 around 2:35pm, the staff of Blue Bell Consulting were diligently working at their desks, suddenly a colleague proclaimed: “My head feels really dizzy, and when I look at the computer on my desk, it's almost as though the monitor is unstable and could wobble off the desk at any second!” It wasn't until right around the same moment, when other colleagues began to feel the same effects of a strong dizziness, did they start to realize that this was not just a mere temporary ordeal, but rather their whole office floor (along with the entire Ai Li Xuan Tower BBC is located in) was swaying in mid air. At the same time this was happening, Dr. Mel Dong of BBC was in a car with his clients, on Guang Zhou's highway, for a prior arranged business engagement; thus, leaving him unaware of the action and aftermath the quake caused his employees back at the office. As soon as Dr. Dong learned of the news, he immediately called back to the office expressing his deep concern for the wellbeing of his employees. He proceeded to acquire as much information as he could about the specific details of what's happening as the earthquake hit.

Later that same afternoon, through news channels broadcasting, China learns that on May 12th 2008 at 2:28pm, a massive earthquake measuring 8.0 on the Richter scale shook South-western China in the Sichuan Province, causing enormous devastation. The earthquake was the worst natural disaster hitting China in the last three decades. The damage to the lives and properties in the vast region is beyond what we can imagine. Ningxia, Gansu, Shanxi, Shandong, Henan, Hubei, Chongqing, Yunnan, Guangxi, Xizang, Jiangsu, Liaoning provinces, as well as cities of Shanghai, Taipei (Taiwan), and Hong Kong all experienced the effects of the earthquake to some degree.

The Sichuan Earthquake produced a wide-spread national concern. After the catastrophic tragedy, individuals from all over the country came together as one, including police, medical teams and rescue armies from all over, and quickly organized rescue missions in the frontlines of the disaster areas. This unimaginable devastation has furthermore touched the hearts of many overseas Chinese families and friends. Through the thick and the thin, their enthusiastic willingness to help out in whatever way they can made such an unforgettable impact on the victims of the Sichuan Earthquake. Many countries around the world expressed their compassion through donations and funds including the United States, Russia, Japan, South Korea, North Korea, England, France, Germany, Poland, Norway, Denmark, Spain, Belgium, Greece, Vietnam, Mozambique, Indian, and Pakistan. With advanced experiences, facilities, and equipments for disaster relief, Japan, Russia, Singapore, and South Korea have teamed with Hong Kong and Taiwan to help provide aid and necessities for Sichuan's Earthquake regions as well.

At such a tragic time, we should all encourage the family, friends, and neighbors around us to keep those who are suffering in their thoughts. Let us join hands with an open heart and wish for love among our people so that whenever and whatever the circumstances are, we all can reach out as a community and lend a helping hand to others in their time of need. After all the initial shock of the earthquake, Blue Bell Consulting immediately organized a meeting with all the employees discussing how each individual staff can lend a helping hand to the victims affected by the quake.

Additionally, on June 25th 2008, Dr. Mel Dong, was invited by the Shanghai Overseas Chinese Chamber of Commerce (SOCCC) to attend the Four Year Anniversary Celebration with the evening's special performances honoring the reconstruction and support of Sichuan's Earthquake tragedy. The SOCCC was not only able to host an entertaining show, but also saved a significant amount of money, originally intended for additional features to the performance, in order to donate the cost savings to finance the disaster area; among many of their contributions, the SOCCC arranged to utilize the savings of RMB 1 million to help 100 students complete their education during unfortunate circumstances. In total, they were successful in raising RMB 148 million to go towards the earthquake fund. Through unity there is strength, so "spread the seeds of love, and let kindness heal the world."