Foreign Volunteers Join Ningbo Locals in Fighting COVID-19
Sara participated as a volunteer.
EEhsan maintained the on-site order.
Ningbo, an international metropolis in Eastern China—has been attracting a rising number of foreigners from all over the world. Recent data show that about 5,300 expats now live in this coastal city.
作为国际化的大都市,宁波正吸引着越来越多的外国人。数据显示,目前常住宁波的外国人有5300人左右。
Since April 5th, Ningbo has been staging a citywide fight to prevent a COVID-19 resurgence. Prevention and control measures have been strengthened and a number of local regions began to implement nucleic acid testing for all their residents. Quite a few expats in Ningbo have joined the anti-epidemic fight as volunteers.
“Go straight on and show your Alipay Health Code please.” On the afternoon of April 11th, Ehsan—a volunteer from Iran—came to help, wearing a face shield and mask as well as a blue dust protection coverall. He came to assist the restoration of order for the nucleic acid testing site at the North Square of Yinzhou Park (Phase 2).
“No rush, take your time. And keep a one-meter distance.” “Please log in Alipay and show your Health Code.” “Please line up here if you hold Yellow Code.” Ehsan greeted the community residents in fluent Putonghua (Mandarin) with a local accent.
Ehsan was born in the 1990s. This 31-year-old Iranian volunteer moved to Ningbo at the end of 2014 and is now engaged in international trade.
伊桑是个90后,今年31岁,2014年年底来到宁波,从事外贸相关工作。
“I’ve been highly concerned with the novel coronavirus outbreak in Ningbo and sincerely hope to lend a helping hand.” Ehsan offered to register as a volunteer in the Huifeng Community on April 11th. Though having worked around four hours at the testing site, he remained energetic, with a bright smile when helping maintain order.
To Ehsan, Ningbo is a highly-civilized modern metropolis. "I love to live in Ningbo. Its living environment is pleasant, with efficient governance of local authorities and very nice local residents."
Isidro from Spain now lives in the Metropolis Forest Community of Zhonggongmiao Sub-District of Yinzhou District. As a music teacher at an international school in Ningbo, he is popular among students and called Teacher Yi.
On the early morning of April 9th, Isidro queued up with other residents of the Metropolis Forest Community for nucleic acid testing. This Spanish Teacher Yi was deeply touched by the hard work of medical workers, patient guidance of volunteers, and close cooperation of local residents.
After lunch that day, Teacher Yi played the clarinet in the community, with social distance and a face shield on. The residents were attracted by his lovely melody.
After three years’ stay in Ningbo, Isidro has already taken this coastal city as his second hometown. “Music can empower us with strength. I hope to cheer up people with my expertise,” he replied in our interview. To his great happiness, his play received warm applause and heartfelt smiles from the community residents.
Compared with Isidro, Sara—an Iranian girl volunteer—has been involved in local anti-pandemic prevention for a much longer period. Ever since last June, she began to provide bilingual services in vaccination and other anti-pandemic issues for expats in Ningbo and residents of Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan. Sara is widely praised for her patience and passion.
This Iranian girl, 20 years old, is a sophomore, able to speak Chinese, English, Persian, and Japanese; in particular, her Chinese is very fluent. Having lived in Ningbo for eighteen years, she is an experienced volunteer.
For Sara, volunteer work is a terrific experience and it is always a pleasure to help others. " I'm proud to be able to make contributions to Ningbo, where I've lived and received education for almost a decade."