Premier Wen Jiabao comforts a 12-year-old girl in Mianyang on May 13. The girl, who was believed to be orphaned at the time, has now found her parents. Her elder sister has survived the deadly quake, too.
Many TV viewers were moved to tears on March 13 when Premier Wen Jiabao was seen comforting a crying girl, who was believed to be orphaned by the Sichuan quake at the time.
"The premier held her hand tenderly and told her not to cry, that everything would be okay, and that the government would take care of her. He was not a political leader at that moment, but an amiable elder consoling his grandchild," says Pan Xulin, a journalist in Beijing and father of an 18-month-old boy.
"The girl didn't say anything, but sobbed the whole time. I could see in her tearful eyes horror and despair. My heart was broken," Pan said.
"I am so grateful that my son is safe and here with me."
The journalist is one among many reaching out to children who have lost their parents in Sichuan quake.
Having donated money and clothing to quake-hit areas, Pan has also decided to subsidize a child victim of the quake until he or she finishes school and becomes independent.
Pan also intends to bring the child to Beijing, where the orphan will stay with his family during summer and winter holidays. He has pledged to do his best to take care of this child.
The administrations of civil affairs have not yet published the number of orphans and children who have lost contact with their parents and siblings in the quake zone.
While those who want to adopt orphans of the quake need to wait until rescue work has been completed, many people such as Pan have expressed their desire to adopt these children or subsidize their living expenses and education.
Government departments are reportedly receiving queries on how to help these young victims, while online forums are filled with postings of adoption requests by netizens.
The Beijing News, Beijing Community Service Network and China Children and Teenagers' Fund (CCTF) have also jointly launched a "Love-heart Parents" campaign and are looking for temporary foster parents in Beijing for quake-affected children.