In Nanshan, Futian, Pingshan, Yantian, Longgang……expats across Shenzhen contribute to pandemic prevention and control while spreading hope. With warmth flowing from this open and inclusive city, each of them constitutes a vivid panorama of a metropolis battling the pandemic.

Ekumi Ivo Otte from Cameroon is as a medical lecturer at SSIMC, Shenzhen Samii International Medical Center (The Fourth People's Hospital of Shenzhen). When SSIMC was designated as one of the vaccination site for foreigners, he didn’t hesitate to apply for volunteering to help ensure smooth and effective vaccination for expats in Pingshan and areas nearby.

Otte’s initiative to volunteer was his way of progressively making contribution to the fight. “I want to express my gratitude and appreciation to China for our entire safety and protection during this fight”. As an expat living in Shenzhen for over 14 years, he said, “We have witnessed how China initiated and implemented perhaps what I believe, is probably the most aggressive, agile disease containment efforts and measures in history.”

“I’d like to make a compliment”, Willem Wolleswinkel from the Netherlands has felt the same way, “China as a whole has managed to stop the virus from spreading, because China has very quick and decisive decision-making, and what is also important is that people trust the government and follow up what the government provided ”.

Vaccination is a significant part of pandemic prevention and control. Sofia Alvarez from Mexico studies at Shenzhen University. She believes that vaccination is critical because "this way we are not only protecting ourselves, we are protecting other people. If we can control, then the whole world will slowly control this problem." She actively joined the international volunteer team of Zhaoshang sub-district in Nanshan District in hopes of making a contribution.

Andrew Smith and his friend Weber Edouard, both living in Longgang District, came to Pingshan for vaccination by appointment. Andrew's wife is Chinese and she accompanied them to all the way to SSIMC, for fear of the language barrier in communication. To their surprise, the hospital is equipped with foreign language volunteer service and bilingual clinic, in a bid to provide services for people with different backgrounds.

“The volunteers are very dedicated. I think the service was very good, very helpful.” They were touched by the warmth from fighters in this special battle.

Together we are in Shenzhen, it’s so blessed!

Source: Shenzhen Daily, Pingshan Media Center