Foreign Volunteers join China’s battle against NCP
By
Qi Xijia, Global Times
Donning
a blue vest, shielded with face mask, and gloves, Bethany Sootheran is a little
busy these days. Though overwhelmed by the news of the novel coronavirus
outbreak, the ballet and contemporary dancer from New York looks unfazed as she
stepped out to serve as a volunteer in a community center in Suzhou, East
China's Jiangsu Province, delivering fresh vegetables for her neighbors in
self-imposed quarantine in Chengbang community.
“Noticing
on WeChat that our friends at community center were working very hard to keep
us all safe I was beginning to feel discontent at home unable to do anything to
help. I reached out to the center leader, asking if there was anything we could
do,” Sootheran told the Global Times.
Sootheran
is among a dozen of foreign volunteers from Suzhou Industry Park, one of
Jiangsu’s most foreigner-populated areas. As of 2019 end the industrial park
has issued 4,322 foreign working permits, including 1,675 tier-A working
permits.
When
novel coronavirus pneumonia (NCP) broke out many of them decided to stand with
the Chinese and joined volunteer groups to contribute their bit to the
community with efforts such as dispatching daily commodities to home
quarantines and purchasing medical supplies overseas.
“People
seem surprised to see foreigners out and about volunteering. Many have said
‘haogandong(so touched)’,” she said. “But to us this feels like a small thing.
I am inspired by the quiet strength and diligence of the people here. Everyone
is cheerfully and carefully doing their part.”
Goran
Martinovic, a Croatian national, is a boxing trainer in Suzhou. When the NCP
broke out his first thought was go to Wuhan, the epicenter of the deadly
disease, only to be discouraged by his Chinese friends.
Then
idea struck and he managed to ship 20,000 protective masks from Croatia.
"I didn't expect that it would be so tough to get the medical equipment.
Everywhere it has run out of stock." he told the Global Times. Martinovic
managed to secure a shipment of 10 boxes of medical masks with the help of his
friends and family in Croatia.
“They
are sent from Croatia and currently in transmit. Can arrive any minute. “Martinovic
said, using his expertise in sports and training he also developed a 30-minute
home workout gymnastics for people to exercise at home during the epidemic.” Strong
immunity system is the best prevention against all kinds of virus. So I would
say there is no reason to panic. Just be normal,” he said.
For
both Sootheran and Martinovic, China is their second home.
Sootheran
and her husband own an Arts Center in Suzhou that offers organizes cultural
events in the city. They have been living here for about 6 years. Her family in
the US asked them to return to the US till the outbreak recedes yet they choose
to stay in China and fight against the NCP together with the Chinese.
“Our
families are concerned for us but they understand that China is our home. Our
entire life is here. And our hearts are with the Chinese people. They are our
second family.”
Martinovic
first came to China in 2015 with his elder brother to teach boxing at a charity
boxing event. His brother left China after a few months but Martinovic stayed
ever since. He is currently running a boxing club and organizes charity boxing
events twice a year to help promote the sport in China.
“Not
many places can do the same under similar situations,” he said adding that he
is impressed by the transparency of information and strong management ability
showed by the government to fight against the virus.
“Suzhou
is my second hometown, China is also my home. Home is where the heart is.
Together we will fight through this and win. Maybe we feel down now, but later
we will bounce much higher,” he said.
Foreign Volunteers join China’s battle against NCP
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