On a cool March morning in Rangoon, Myanmar, a phenomenon seldom seen in the Southeast Asian city along the Belt and Road that has high temperatures all year round, volunteers of China Nuclear Industry 22nd Construction Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of China National Nuclear Corporation, started their day by setting out for a nursing home located in the suburbs. They had prepared well for what would be a special day.
After a three-hour bumpy trip, they finally arrived at the destination. In a plain small yard sat a few simple houses, home to 80 lonely elderly people and six orphans.
Voluntary workers at the nursing home warmly welcomed the volunteers when they stepped down from the coach and ushered them to a bench under a mango tree.
The kids excitedly ran to them and the elderly people also tottered out of the houses. Maybe because of the language barrier, they did not get too close to the volunteers but stood against the wall in scattered groups. Later, a soldier in dark green uniform walked towards the volunteers with a smile and shook hands with each of them, saying something in Burmese. The interpreter told them that the soldier said it was the first time the nursing home had received donations from foreigners. Although the volunteers could not understand what he said, the soldier's appreciation and happiness could be seen on his face.
According to the soldier, the nursing home was completely operated by voluntary workers and most of the basic daily expenses were covered by his slender income. The nursing home sometimes received donations from some warm-hearted people, but because of its remote location, it seldom had a chance to connect with the outside. Therefore, there were very few donors.
The houses were so simple that they could hardly shelter against the wind and rain. The smell from the farm nearby overpowered the nursing room and the all-year-round high temperature worsened the sanitation condition. The only place for activity was the area under the tree in the middle of the yard. The small and shabby cottages to the East and West were dorms for the elderly and the kids and the narrow area in the South was for catering. In such cramped housing without lights or fans, the inhabitants were taken care of by the voluntary workers.
Racing against time, volunteers from China Nuclear Industry 22nd Construction Co., Ltd. sweated in the kitchen and made a meal for the elderly and the kids. Sitting by the table, the soldier explained the volunteers' service and help, earning applause from the elderly and the kids. Volunteers also sent the dishes to the bedridden to feed those who couldn't take care of themselves.
The elderly people and kids would pray for those who have helped them before each meal and the volunteers' names are carved on a tag hanging on the wall, and are also engraved in their hearts.
Volunteers brought some daily living supplies like rice, oil, cereals and towels as well as some stationery items such as school bags, books and notebooks and pens, which are luxury things for the kids living there.
They also stepped into the dorms and helped with sanitation, hoping to help improve their living conditions.
The volunteers went on to deliver the supplies to each elderly person and kid, making them feel the warmth from foreign friends. When receiving the supplies, the elderly people folded their hands and closed their eyes to pray. Their eyes were filled with tears. A grey-haired elderly woman who couldn't take care of herself even cried when she saw the volunteers leaving. Despite the language barrier, the expectations and appreciation from their eyes crossed the borders of culture and nation.
Seeing the unknown faces of the volunteers, the kids were excited and gave gestures of welcome. When the volunteers gave them school bags and candies, the kids cheered in their rooms. Their naive and happy expressions deeply impressed the volunteers.
Under the sunset, the elderly people living in the nursing home folded their hands and meditated to see off the volunteers. The kids followed them from the mango tree to the gate, and the soldier and voluntary workers at the nursing home bade farewell to them along the road.
To the volunteers of China Nuclear Industry 22nd Construction Co., Ltd, what they did was just a drop in the bucket but to the elderly people and kids in the nursing home, it was a breeze in the sweaty days and hope in the predicament, which showed care, concern and love. In spite of the language gap, smiles and tears on the elderly people's and kids' faces impressed the volunteers and encouraged them to continue to send their love to more places as they passed by. The volunteers also wished that more warmth and care could be sent to the elderly and kids under the mango tree at the nursing home.
(Executive editor: Li Zhiyong)
