Editor's note: In the battle with the COVID-19 epidemic, more and more fighters are coming to its front lines, including students and former students of the Open University of China (OUC). Like other fighters, no matter how ordinary, they are contributing what they can. Let's take a close look at some of their stories.
During the COVID-19 outbreak, “National Moral Models” and “Good People of China” have demonstrated leadership at the front lines of the epidemic. Dong Ming, a “National Moral Model” from Wuhan, winner of the “May 4th Medal for Chinese Youth”, alumni of the Open University of China (OUC), and teacher at the OUC's Wuhan Branch, is one of these.
With the help of OUC teachers and fellow students, and through her personal efforts, Dong Ming obtained a university diploma, and became nationally qualified as a psychological consultant. Since then she has been active in public welfare through volunteer and funding initiatives, which have included giving psychological assistance to victims of the Wenchuan earthquake in 2008 as well as offering translation and psychological-guidance services at the Beijing Olympic and World Military games. Known as a "smiling angel in a wheelchair”, she has won many honours, which include being named one of the nation's “100 Outstanding Volunteers” and being recognised for her work at the Beijing Paralympics. Now, as a Party member, she is leading a team of volunteers to help fight the epidemic.
Dong Ming has been giving psychological assistance since the outbreak began.
Donating Money and Helping Control the Epidemic
As the outbreak took hold, Dong Ming immediately began to donate money. She felt a desire to contribute despite her lack of mobility, and to make herself useful through her skills without becoming a burden.
On the first day of the Chinese New Year, Dong Ming took up work for two communities. She set up a Party branch to serve community residents, and developed an online "cloud service" with other volunteers to collect information about individual needs. For those without internet access, the volunteers used telephones and even made house calls. They contacted enterprises to solicit contributions, and purchased foods at below-market prices, organising more than 100 group purchases of vegetables, fresh and frozen meats, rice, flour, cleaning supplies, sanitary napkins, and so on. Together with the other volunteers, she helped seal off the community and protect it from infection.
Helping Those in Psychological Distress
The epidemic has caused widespread anxiety and fear, and since the beginning, Dong Ming has volunteered to provide counseling not just to those fighting the disease or struck down by it, but also to unaffected people worried about falling ill. From 8 am to 11 pm every day, giving up her sabbatical, she has been busy in her wheelchair answering calls at the computer.
Her voice has turned hoarse, and she says that the city, where she has lived for 34 years, is now "sick". Despite being wheelchair-bound, she nonetheless considers it her responsibility to help protect it.
Coordinating Materials and Providing Support for Medical Staff
Donated materials coordinated by Dong Ming were sent to hospitals.
At the beginning, when medical teams from all over the country rushed to Wuhan despite the danger, Dong Ming helped mobilise resources, including fruit and vegetables, worth more than 500,000 yuan. She also coordinated materials for four temporary hospitals in Wuhan, arranging for 30 disinfection robots and 18 tons of disinfectant to be delivered to them.
A virus knows no borders, but the worst of times brings out the best in people. Heeding her call, more than 100 members of her volunteer team advanced to the front lines to help with infection control and provide necessities, manifesting their loyalty to the Party and people. Dong Ming states that she owes her life to the Party and government, and will do what she can to fulfill her obligations.
By OUC News Network
Source: http://hbwh.wenming.cn/