The Tibetan college students deliver supplies to affected residents in Samdrub village, Chushar township, Lhaze county in Shigatse, Xizang autonomous region, on Jan 10. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]
A truck loaded with supplies navigated the winding roads of the Xizang autonomous region, stopping in village after village in Lhaze county to distribute much-needed aid following the 6.8-magnitude earthquake that struck on Jan 7.
The truck was part of a grassroots effort led by a group of Tibetan college students, all around 20 years old, from Dranang county in Lhokha city, Xizang, studying at universities across China.
The Tibetan college students give away snow boots to residents in Mangphu village, Lhaze county, on Jan 10. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]
Dekyi Drolma, the initiator and a 21-year-old student at Nanjing University, felt compelled to act.
She wasn't alone. Her friends studying in Beijing, Shanghai, Chongqing, Jiangsu and Fujian provinces joined her without hesitation, forming a dedicated team. Together, they organized the donation campaign, forging a grassroots operation driven by determination and compassion.
Social media became their most powerful tool. Using WeChat and Douyin, the students shared a post with details of their campaign, including personal identification and student cards, to establish trust and ensure transparency. They selected Lhaze, a severely affected area as the focus of their aid, coordinating with locals to understand the most urgent needs.
Their efforts quickly gained momentum. Five WeChat groups amassed nearly 1,000 members who contributed donations in full swing. Within days, the students raised over 106,000 yuan ($14,632) online and an additional 37,020 yuan from two villages and a construction company in Dranang.
The Tibetan college students give away snow boots to residents in Mangphu village, Lhaze county, on Jan 10. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]
The team began to purchase supplies at dawn on Jan 9. Led by Dekyi Drolma, the team traveled to Lhasa, the regional capital, to procure their supply list, including warm clothing, hygiene products, canned food and solar-powered flashlights — prioritizing essentials for the harsh winter, especially for children and women. The next day, they delivered the resources to Mangphu township.
"I felt comforted seeing children put on new boots. Their smiles showed that our efforts made a difference," said Dekyi Drolma.
The team distributed supplies based on local needs, receiving heartfelt gratitude from residents. For families who lost loved ones, they provided comfort and support through financial donations.
As the campaign came to an end, the students visited temples in Dranang on Jan 13 to pray for the earthquake victims.
The team comforts and supports families who lost loved ones in Chulho township, Dingri county, on Jan 11. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]
The operation was not without challenges. Securing a truck, coordinating volunteers and traveling day and night along treacherous mountain roads were daunting tasks. Each member took charge of specific responsibilities to ensure the campaign ran smoothly.
Pema Sodron, a team member and student at Southwest University, shared that they never expected their efforts as students to inspire so many people from diverse regions and walks of life. Their actions united local truck drivers, volunteers and donors, many of whom offered their time and resources.
"Every small act contributes to something greater. I believe Xizang will recover from the earthquake soon," she said.
Guo Yanqi contributed to this story.
