No house, no money, but tough teen shoulders family burdens

Dangqiu Lamao, her hair in a neat, long braid, has a quiet, patient demeanour rare in most 15-year-old girls.

Her calm nature is even more unusual considering Dangqiu's life.

Last year's earthquake in Qinghai shattered the family's house in Jiegu town and further injured her mother, 33, who was already suffering from a congenital eye disease. Her father died in an accident five years ago, so Dangqiu shouldered the responsibility of caring for her family.

The girl, with her mother, brother and sister, initially sought shelter in Nangqian county, where they came from. However, the journey to school took more than two hours, required two changes of transport, and cost 16 yuan (HK$19) each way, so earlier this year the three siblings decided to move to a tent in Jiegu, in Yushu county.

'We are living with a family from our village back home,' Dangqiu said. 'It's all right. They let us stay in their tent, and I share the housework with the mother. And every Sunday we go home to see our mother.'

The three buy their own food and leave it with their foster family and their five children. Every other day, Dangqiu has to cook for everyone. She also has to help fetch water, do laundry and take care of her 11-year old sister Zhuoga Yongji and brother Danzeng Nima, eight.