By Miss Zou Xi
In early March 2020, as the COVID-19 pandemic surged in the UK, masks and gloves became essential for the vast numbers of Chinese residents and students remaining in the country to protect themselves. Every extra mask or pair of gloves offered a bit more safety and peace of mind. People cautiously navigated life under the pandemic, often anxious about the dwindling supply of essential items. Looking out the window, the green fields were already alive with the warmth of spring. Yet, no overseas Chinese resident or student was forgotten by their community. With spring’s arrival, vital supplies aided by the Chinese Consulate General in Manchester, the UK Association for the Promotion of Chinese Education, and the North England Chinese Entrepreneurs Association reached many Chinese residents and students in need. These provisions, including disposable medical PVC examination gloves and masks, brought significant comfort to the Chinese community in Durham.。
An ancient saying notes, “If poor, one cultivates one’s own virtue; if prosperous, one benefits the world.” Head teacher, Mr Haoyang Liu of Durham Chinese School embodied this spirit, personally driving to deliver masks and gloves to former school principal Dr. Su Nuo and the university student volunteers who remained in Durham, offering help when it was most needed. To ensure the supplies reached those genuinely in need, our Academic Director, Mr. Jie Li, developed an online application and registration form in his spare time. This system helped track recipients, ensuring every Chinese family facing difficulties felt this warmth and support.
Ms. Dan Shao, a volunteer from the Chinese School Parent-Teacher Association (PTA), and her husband, Dr. Han Lai, proactively offered their Durham Sacriston Post Office, which they managed, as a free distribution point for these anti-epidemic supplies. Each family could collect up to ten masks and five pairs of gloves. After completing the online form, individuals could join an anti-epidemic group to receive information about collecting supplies and the latest prevention updates. For safety and hygiene, most families (typically five or more) sent a single representative to the Sacriston Post Office to collect and then distribute the items amongst themselves. To date, the initiative has benefited most Chinese residents in Durham. This collaborative effort, both online and offline, effectively delivered essential supplies to those in need within the Chinese community. Countless others, both online and offline, continued to work tirelessly for themselves and others, even for those distant compatriots they had never met, all for the hope of breathing freely again months later.
Life comes and goes, but love endures. To quote Ms. Dan Shao: “Everyone, there’s no need to worry. If we encounter any problems here, we will always find a way together. I believe we can definitely defeat the virus. We have never stopped. Everyone, please continue to maintain your defenses. Tell those around you how to protect themselves, and there will be no need for worry.” The immense efforts of those who gave brought immense comfort to the community, like the warmth of spring. “How can you say you have no clothes? I will share my robes with you.” We once again sincerely thank all the kind individuals who dedicated their hearts, efforts, and resources to our community. When the pandemic recedes, may we all witness the blossoming spring, a safe and peaceful land, and a world at peace!
杜伦中文学校防疫物资发放纪实
作者：邹曦
2020年三月上旬，新冠疫情在英国爆发。对于留在英国坚持防疫的广大华人华侨和留学生来说，口罩与手套成为生活的刚需。多一个口罩便少一分危险，多一双手套便多一分安全。人们小心翼翼维持疫情下的生活，为或多或少短缺的物资颦蹙。临窗而望，平川绿野却已春意盎然。然而，每一位华侨和留学生都不会被同胞忘记。中国驻曼彻斯特总领事馆，英国中文教育促进会和英国北部华人企业家协会援助的物资随着闹枝头的春意被送至许多需要帮助的华侨及留学生手中。物资包含了一次性医用PVC检查手套和口罩，使得杜伦广大侨胞宽慰许多。
古语有言，“穷则独善其身，达则兼济天下”。杜伦中文学校校长刘浩洋身体力行，驱车为前中文学校校长苏诺博士与中文学校留守的大学生志愿者们雪中送炭，亲自送去了口罩和手套。为了保证物资可以发给真正需要的人手上，学校教务主任李杰老师在家工作之余，开发了在线申请物资登记表，统计领取人员，保证了每一个有困难需要帮助的侨胞家庭都可以感受到这些温暖。
中文学校家长教师联合会（PTA）的义工邵丹女士和丈夫赖晗博士主动请缨，利用他们经营的杜伦Sacriston 邮局无偿发放这些防疫物资。每一个家庭最多可领取十个口罩，5双手套。填写在线表格后，可加入抗疫群获取领取物资的信息和最新的抗疫信息。出于安全卫生考虑，家长们大多五户以上，派出代表前去Sacriston 邮局领取，然后再自行分配。到目前为止，已惠及大多数杜伦侨胞。线上和线下齐心协力，共同抗疫，切实地将物资发放到了需要的华人手中。还有许许多多在线上线下逆流而上的人们，为了自己和他人，甚至为了远方未曾谋面的同胞，为了数月后的自由呼吸而步履不停。
生命来去，唯爱长青。借邵丹女士的话：“大家都不用担心，我们这边有任何问题我们都会一起想办法的。相信我们一定能战胜病毒。我们一直没有停息。大家坚持防御。和你身边的人告诉他们如何防御就不用有任何担心。”付出者的劳累如此厚重，侨胞们得到的关爱才如春意般宽慰人心。“岂曰无衣，与子同袍。”再次真诚地感谢为侨胞付出心力物力的善者们，待疫情退去，共赏花枝春满，无恙山河，皆安人间！