Overseas stay | I believe everything will be better, we will win at dawn
Author: Xu Yue Ping
What is happening to the overseas Chinese in all countries since the new pneumonia epidemic spreads all over the world? China Overseas Chinese Network (ID: qiaowangzhongguo) specially launched a series of "Overseas Stays" series of manuscripts, telling the story of the "war epidemic" left by overseas Chinese. In this issue, Xu Yueping, an expatriate teacher in Italy, tells us his left-behind story.
In September 2019, I came to Naples, Italy to start a one-year expatriate life.
At the beginning of 2020, when the Chinese in Italy were immersed in the joyous atmosphere of welcoming the New Year, the news of "closing the city" came from Wuhan, and at that moment the hearts of overseas Chinese from all over the world were affected ...
The Italian-Chinese school in Italy, where I work, launched a charitable donation activity. Students, parents, teachers and overseas Chinese from all walks of life have donated.
The children of Sino-Italian School also took the brush and cheered for China in their way. Although they are thousands of miles apart, we always stand with the motherland!
Children's paintings. (Photo by author)
In late February, Italy's epidemic suddenly became severe, and the Italian Prime Minister declared "closing the city." Relatives and friends in China came to call me after they heard the news. The grandma in her 90s asked again and again: "Is my little granddaughter not yet back?"
After many communications with my family, I made up my mind to stay in Italy and complete the teaching mission!
My family respects and supports this decision.
Just as the epidemic in Italy quickly spread, China sent the first batch of medical teams to assist Italy. Hearing that the motherland is coming, this brings us great encouragement and confidence in Italy. On that day, Rome echoed the Chinese national anthem and the thanks of Italian citizens.
Together with the overseas Chinese, I was busy fighting the epidemic. The local government wanted to record a Chinese version of the anti-epidemic public welfare video. When the principal asked me if I could help, I agreed without hesitation and completed the task that night.
Later, the public welfare video was posted on the municipal government's public Facebook, so that local Chinese could better understand the municipal government's anti-epidemic measures.
The school was closed, and we started teaching online. At this special moment, I opened the "Xu Teacher Micro Classroom" to explain the knowledge of virus prevention to students and parents and to push various stories and encyclopedias.
The recording of the video is not easy. I make mistakes and start over again, but I insist on recording 2-3 micro-classes every week, just to let the children hear my voice. I hope to bring them a little bit at this difficult time. Cheers and laughs.
I am in a serious epidemic in Campania. Masks have become "luxury goods", and the Zhejiang Overseas Chinese Federation sent us this precious material at a critical juncture. I am responsible for the distribution, sorting, and packaging of the NAPOLI campus ... Distribute these masks to the people in need with the fastest speed! The overseas Chinese received from me not only a bag of masks, but also full of love and care. At such a critical moment, these masks that span thousands of miles are undoubtedly a gift from the snow.
I believe everything will get better, as the classic Italian opera sings: "Disappear, night! We will win at dawn!"