Tale of desperation turns to one of hope

Their optimism moved me, as did their amazing strength, faced with such adversity.

A 10-year-old boy told me that when the quake hit, instead of fleeing from his house, he ran into his grandfather's bedroom to wake him up and then led him to safety.

"My parents are migrant workers in Guangdong province," the boy told me. "I must shoulder the responsibility of taking care of my grandpa."

A 9-year-old girl bravely told me the earthquake felt just like "sitting on a train", adding she was not very scared since she experienced the Wenchuan earthquake in 2008.

Conditions in the quake-hit region are getting better.

Shops have reopened, vegetables are being sold at the roadside, and telecommunications have been restored to most places.

As I left the quake-hit region on April 27, I noticed the boards were still being waved at the side of the road.

But the messages on many had changed from asking for help to expressing gratitude to the rescuers.

"Thank you, soldiers and rescuers," read one. "We will be strong."