简体中文
at Harare Institute of Technology (HIT) in Harare,
capital of Zimbabwe, Oct. 20, 2016. (Xinhua)
"I wish a prosperous new year to the people of China and Zimbabwe," said Wimbainashe Zviuya.
Ten students drawn from Cyclone Idai-affected regions of Zimbabwe received a rare treat when they went to Zhejiang province in China for the festive season.
The seven-day trip, from Dec. 22 to 28, was co-organized by the Chinese Embassy in Zimbabwe and Zhejiang provincial government.
Zviuya, deputy head at Mutambara High School in Chimanimanni, one of the schools that were affected severely by the cyclone, said the main purpose of the trip was to provide therapy for the trauma caused during the cyclone.
Tropical Cyclone Idai, which made landfall near the Mozambican coastal city of Beira in March, was one of the worst tropical cyclones on record to hit southern Africa.
The storm caused catastrophic damage in Mozambique, Zimbabwe, and Malawi. Zimbabwean government reported some 299 deaths and 300 people missing in Cyclone Idai.
It is estimated that 250,000 people were affected by the floods in nine districts in the Southeastern regions of Zimbabwe, with Chimanimani and Chipinge being the most affected.
Among them, about 48 percent are under 18 years, with many in need of psychosocial support.
"Children were affected psychologically, some of their friends and relatives were taken by the floods. Some of them had nowhere to stay because their houses were washed away by the floods," Zviuya said.
"The trip helped them get fresh air since they had not been able to travel away from the district. It also showed them that life can go on and they can still experience good things after the destruction of their schools and their homes," she added.
Zviuya added that she hoped the students will get an opportunity to pursue their studies in China when they finish high school.
Besides experiencing Chinese cuisines for the first time and visiting many scenic spots, the children also used the opportunity to learn about Chinese culture and ancient history.
"We had a good time visiting places in Zhejiang, China. We did many activities like boat riding, we went to watch the movies and we also visited some museums to learn about Chinese history," said 16 year-old Kimberly Ruvarashe Murinda, one of the beneficiaries of the trip.
Hou Yuehan, an attache at the Chinese Embassy in Zimbabwe, told Xinhua that the Chinese government wants to show kindness and solidarity with the people of Zimbabwe.
"So we invited these children, because they are the future of the country," she said.
(By Tafara Mugwara and Zhang Yuliang)
