BEIJING – “Hi, Pakistani kids! Thank you for donating masks to us. Now it’s time for us to return your help,” wrote Yao Yang, a Chinese girl, in a letter to Pakistani children, accompanied by her donations of 80 surgical masks.
Yao, 8 years old, is a student of grade two in a primary school in China’s Xiamen city. She likes the news. From media reports, Yao knows that the novel coronavirus disease has hit many countries around the world recently, according to China Economic Net (CEN).
She came up with an idea to donate masks to the heavily-hit countries. However, she had to choose one country to make the donation, as her pocket money was only 100 yuan($14) at the time. After discussing with her father, Yao decided to aid Pakistan, as she knew that right after the epidemic broke out in China, Pakistan mobilized the whole nation to provide assistance to China.
“Receiving drips of water when in need, and I shall return the kindness with a spring.” With the fine tradition of reciprocating an act of kindness, Yao’s parents gave her another 200 yuan to buy masks for Pakistani friends. With all the money, Yao bought a total of 80 surgical masks. Besides, Yao donated a rag doll.
In her letter to Pakistani children, Yao drew a picture. In this picture, three children wearing masks hold hands, one of whom is Yao and the other two are Pakistani kids. Yao said, “I just want to share my knowledge and experience on COVID-19. I hope children in Pakistan can protect themselves well from the virus.”
Yao advised Pakistani kids to wear surgical masks and that’s why she donated masks. Yao’s masks, letter, doll and two suits of protective gowns, goggles and gloves donated by her parents were delivered by courier to the Pakistani Embassy in China on March 16, 2020.
To Yao’s surprise, Pakistani Ambassador to China, Naghmana Alamgir Hashmi sent a thank-you note to her on March 19. Ambassador Hashmi thanked Yao for her donations to Pakistani children, and Yao’s efforts and contributions to Pak-China friendship.
Yao said, “I could hardly believe that the Pakistani ambassador did write a letter to me. It was out of the blue. I was very excited.”
Yao’s mother said, “Yao is very interested in Pakistan now. She looks for Pakistan in the world map and asks us to tell her knowledge and stories about Pakistan.”
“I want to visit Pakistan someday,” said Yao, adding that “I want to make friends with Pakistani kids. I also want to enjoy Pakistani food.”
In her letter, Yao also invited Pakistani kids to Xiamen, a famous tourism destination.
