VCC Success Story
October 21, 2009
VCC counsellor answers the call for help
When a devastating earthquake hit China's Sichuan province in May 2008, VCC's Dan Zhang was one of the people who answered the call for help.
"When the quake struck, I really felt that I should be there," says Zhang, a VCC counsellor.
She got her chance to be part of the Sichuan recovery effort when the non-profit Half the Sky Foundation asked her to join a team of psychologists heading there to help survivors.
Zhang's experience with young adults, her doctorate in psychology and Mandarin-language skills made her an ideal choice; with the support of VCC, she flew to China with trauma experts.
"Someone coming from outside China helps survivors not to feel isolated and alone," says Zhang. "They need empathy and understanding."
Since her return home, Zhang found ways to deal with the transition back to Vancouver. She reminds herself of the positive work that so many people are doing in the aftermath of the earthquake. "I also came back to continue good work at VCC - that makes it easier."