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"The masks are well-received." Canadian teacher Robert, who teaches English at the School of Foreign Languages in Southwest Petroleum University, southwest China's Sichuan Province, was appreciative when he received masks from his university on May 6, sent to his home in Canada where he is currently residing.
Canadian teacher Robert presents the masks and letter he received from Southwest Petroleum University. /ChinaNews Photo
As COVID-19 develops overseas, it can be difficult to buy masks in many countries. Considering the urgent demand for masks from college staff overseas, Southwest Petroleum University has launched an international mailing plan to deliver 50 protective masks to each member of staff who is abroad.
A total of 65 teachers from the university are currently in more than ten countries, including Singapore, the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia and Egypt. The school's administration has contacted them one by one to know better about their health status and double check their mailing address.
A total of 3,250 protective masks and 65 consolation letters were sent to different parts of the world. The mailing process, however, was not smooth at all. Due to spread of COVID-19 globally, express delivery is more stringent than usual. Many flights are grounded and the mails took much longer travel time on the road. Robert, the Canadian teacher in the university, received the masks after almost half a month.
"In such a special period, the school didn't forget us. I hope that the epidemic will end soon so that I can return to China to teach at school." In order to keep up with the school's online teaching, Robert is working around a 10-hour time difference.
"It was really touching and it made us feel the warmth of home," Zhang Huaixiu, a retiring teacher from Southwest Petroleum University said. She was visiting her relatives in Singapore and the outbreak prevented her from returning to China.
Teacher Ao Yongcai transferring 12 cartons of masks from Indonesia to Sichuan, southwest China, February 1, 2020. /Sohu Photo
This is not this university's first international mask mailing plan. The first was out of an initiative by Ao Yongcai, a young teacher from the Academy of Science and Technology at Southwest Petroleum University,and his wife.
At the beginning of the outbreak in late January, the couple were traveling in Bali, Indonesia. Noting the serious lack of masks in China, Ao and his wife visited dozens of pharmacies to get more than 20,000 masks. With the help of the Red Cross association in Zigong City, southwestern China's Sichuan Province, and other social organizations, 12 cartons of masks in total were transferred to Zigong City within one day.
This story inspired students and staff at Southwest Petroleum University. When the pandemic situation overseas worsened, they launched an international mailing plan to share medical resources globally.
Teachers from Zhuhai College of Jilin University prepare masks and write postcards to students overseas, March 22, 2020. /xuexi.cn
Similar activities have been arranged by many universities in China to mail masks to students overseas. Early in March, universities such as Zhuhai College of Jilin University and Northwestern Polytechnical University sent thousands of masks and gloves to their students overseas.
"No matter where you are, we all hope you to keep safe during this special period. Always follow the epidemic prevention rules and the school will try its very best to help each of you," Liao Liguo, Party secretary of Jilin University, said during a remote online meeting with students overseas.
(Cover photo via xuexi.cn)
