I Want to Say Thank You

“I want to say thank you for sweeping away the freezing cold, thank you for making our world a warm home...”

This was the song that came to Jiayi’s mind as she watches her teacher take out items from a box. Her teacher explains carefully how each item can be used to carry out COVID-19 infection prevention work and also where they came from. “I was really moved. I realized that in order for these seemingly ordinary things to reach Pingquan City of Hebei Province, it took the combined effort of many people from overseas. They have finally reach our school and they are precious!” Jiayi said.

▲Jiayi disinfecting a classroom

Local students from senior middle school resumed classes at the end of April. To reduce the risk of students infected by coronavirus, the school is closed to all visitors. “Parents are not allowed to visit and teachers have to stay in the school as well,” Jiayi said. Even though the school took all the necessary precautions, many parents are still worried. “When my parents sent me back to school, they reminded me a thousand times to be careful and to observe good personal hygiene practices.” Although Jiayi understands why her parents worry, she does not know how to make them feel better.

▲Students using hand sanitizers to clean their hands

“In May, we received some ‘School Hygiene Boxes’ donated by World Vision China. The boxes contained disinfectants, spray bottles, gloves, masks, hand sanitizers, safety goggles and many other items. Our teacher told us how challenging it was to send these boxes to us, so student leaders and teachers made plans to ensure that everything in the boxes were put into proper use. I was put in charge of the items in my class together with another classmate.” shared Jiayi. “Every day, the teachers will supervise us to disinfect the classrooms, corridors, dormitories and other areas. We can tell that a lot of thought was put into creating the ‘School Hygiene Boxes’ because it has everything we need, including safety googles! Do you know what our favorite item is?” Jiayi asked cheekily. She goes on to rub her hands together to give us a hint, “it’s the hand sanitizers! The National College Entrance Examination is approaching soon. Can you imagine having to queue in long lines to wash our hands at the sink when we should be studying! The hand sanitizers will save us a lot of time.”

▲The school accepting the donated ‘School Hygiene Boxes’

▲Student leaders receiving hand sanitizers

To put her parents’ minds at rest, Jiayi told her parents through the phone the steps taken by the school to prevent the spread of the virus. “My father said they (Jiayi’s parents) were relieved to know the measures taken and were happy to know that donors had donated items to help the school. He also reminded me to study hard so that I do not let the donors down.” Jiayi is glad that her parents do not have to worry about her now.

▲A student disinfecting one of the classrooms

▲A student washing hands using the liquid soap provided
During the afternoon break, Jiayi and her classmates are disinfecting their classroom. Jiayi raises the spray bottle and looks on as droplets of disinfectant fills the air “Look, do you know what I am spraying? This is not disinfectant, it is the fragrance of love.” The room is filled with laughter, followed by melodious singing…“I want to say thank you for sweeping away the freezing cold, thank you for making our world a warm home…” (By Su Ping from Pingquan Area Program)

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