The Chen family spent 40 years saving for thier house only to see it destroyed in the recent earthquake. Above, excavators tear down their condemned home.

YAO JIN VILLAGE, China - It was a dream house, 40 years in the making.

For more than 4 decades, the Chen family had set aside hard-earned money in the hopes of moving into their dream home.

After almost a year of construction, they were set to move in when a 7.9-magnitude earthquake struck, crumbling their new home in less than 2 minutes.

"The house was still standing but huge cracks filled almost every wall," said David Darg, director of international disaster relief with Operation Blessing. "It was beyond repair and condemned."

In the aftermath of the quake, Operation Blessing disaster relief teams have been working steadily alongside villagers to transform the debris-laden village back into a habitable place by restoring the village's access to a water supply, constructing latrine and shower facilities, building retaining walls to protect from rain and floods, and doing major debris removal and cleanup.

OBI has already met with two construction experts from one of China's largest property development companies who have toured the village and created blueprints for the new homes.

Now OBI is making plans to help rebuild all 55 homes in Yao Jin destroyed by the quake. They have already met with two construction experts from one of China's largest property development companies who have toured the village and created blueprints for the new homes.

"We are taking Yao Jin light years ahead in terms of relief and reconstruction," Darg said. "We'll also be making the architectural plans available to the local government so other villages can also use the model."

HOW YOU CAN HELP
You can help by making an online donation toward OBI's disaster relief efforts. With your support, we can continue to provide emergency relief and recovery. Please make an on-line donation today.

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