Introduction
Mianyang is located in the northeast of Sichuan province with Gansu as its northern neighbor and Aba Qiang Minority Autonomous Prefecture on its western side. It has a population of more than 5 million people living in 6 counties and 2 towns, including Anxian and Beichuanxian, the most severely affected areas in the May 12, 2008 Sichuan earthquake.
MSI's Work in Mianyang
For the past 14 years MSI has been serving in Sichuan, in about 10 counties or regions, through numerous government approved programs. Amazingly, these locations include Wenchuan County, Wulong and Mianyang City. Without our realizing it, MSI was being prepared for such a time as this. A growing pool of psychiatrists, psychologists and counselors had been serving here even before the earthquake. Within a week of the earthquake, MSI sent in rescue medical teams and set up a command center as a frontline coordinating point to offer help during the serious aftershocks which followed in May and June.
Now that the phase of critical relief work is over, MSI continues to give priority to long-term rehabilitation, reconstruction and development projects. MSI has set up a Mianyang Regional Office to facilitate long-term projects and partner with the Beichuan Disabled Persons Federation.
Opportunities
- There is a great need for occupational and physio therapists to help those who were physically injured in earthquake. Many patients have amputations, frozen shoulders and elbow, hip, and knee problems associated with their fractures.
- Counselors and social workers are needed to serve people suffering from mental and psychological problems.
- English teachers are needed at Beichuan Middle School, which has been moved to Mianyang city.
- An Administrator is needed to explore and manage an increasing number of projects.
