HUANG Zhichao, a graduate student of Tsinghua SEM, was selected as one of Tsinghua University’s Top Ten Graduate Volunteers of 2009.

There were twenty candidates for the top ten list. HUANG Zhihua stood out with her rich voluntary experience and excellent on-site performance.

In July 2008, two months after 5.12 earthquake, HUANG Zhichao went to Shifang in Sichuan Province as a relief volunteer, and stayed in service for a year. In Shifang, she worked for the local Women’s Federation. Daily contacts with local people made her fully aware of the complication and difficulties involved in relief efforts.

HUANG Zhichao has been learning to help disaster victims with limited resources. She recalls one of those cases: a woman lost her home in the earthquake, and then diagnosed with an incurable disease. Zhichao reached the media and a number of funds but had no reply. She continued with her search, and finally got in touch with several Taiwanese donors through her friends. With donated money and medicines, the patient finally had her disease under control.

After the voluntary period, HUANG Zhichao was awarded Shifang Excellent Volunteer and China Youth Volunteer Service Bronze Award.

Currently, HUANG Zhichao is active in a student non-profit organization, trying to apply her experience to future charity work.