Sichuan, Fall 2008: The desire to return to life as it was - before that terrible day in May - is tremendous in the refugee camps near the epicenter. You can feel the need for 'normal' everywhere you look.

 

 

 

In the months since the earthquake, Half the Sky has worked hard to help orphaned and displaced children who've lost so much begin to feel like they can go on and they can reclaim their lives. By providing a safe space, focusing on both building community and responding to the emotional needs of the individual child, the BigTops have become the center of every camp where they stand and HTS staff has become part of the heart of each community.

 

 

HTS field supervisor, Jia Zhihua and senior program coordinator, Joanna Ren (above) at the Half the Sky "main office" in Dujiangyan

 

 

 

An "End of Summer" party drew a full house -

 

 

 

The BigTops offer places to work, to create, to be silly, to dream....

 

 

 

 

Trained staff offer comfort, the space to grieve and quiet places to heal.