Foreign teachers in Shanghai help neighbors with epidemic prevention

Many foreign teachers in Shanghai joined volunteer teams to help with implementing prevention and control measures in their communities.

Kelly Lyons, a teacher at Yew Chung International School of Shanghai, is one of them. "We are well looked after in our community. Many people answer our questions in WeChat groups and reach out to us to make sure we have enough food, water and other necessities. So, I also want to do something to thank them," she said.

Many foreign colleagues of Lyons have also become volunteers in their communities. They helped carry and distribute materials, assisted neighbors in taking antigen tests, and helped translate the policies to foreign residents.

During the fight against the latest COVID-19 outbreak in Shanghai, the foreign teachers have gotten even closer with their neighbors.

Davidvan Wyk and his wife Maggievan Wyk, who are colleagues of Lyons, said they have put some food and necessities on their doorsteps many times, hoping to present to those neighbors who are in short supply. But every time, when these neighbors took away food, they would send some other supplies to express their gratitude. These little moments of kindness made them deeply feel the unity and warmth of the community.

Erika Levesque, a teacher at Shanghai American School, has been working with volunteers in her community to help residents throw away garbage and deliver materials to doorsteps every morning.

This year is her 14th year in Shanghai, and it has been almost nine years since she moved to her current residential community. She said she established a close relationship with her neighbors though mutual help amid epidemic and the volunteer experience gave her a strong sense of accomplishment.

In the process of door-to-door service, she came up with the idea of establishing a "food exchange station", encouraging each household to share "non-essential supplies" for their families. She believes that this mechanism can not only avoid food waste caused by residents' excessive hoarding of vegetables, but also alleviate some residents' concerns about not being able to buy ingredients. The idea has been positively welcomed by the residents in the community, and it has also effectively solved the problems for many families.

In addition to offline volunteering, Levesque is also busy online. She has helped several foreign friends in need of food through WeChat. "In the past, these neighbors were just familiar faces to me. We met occasionally while walking outdoors. Now it's different. I know if they are single, have children, what their personalities are, etc. They also learned about my family, occupation and hobbies. Many neighbors and I have added each other as friends on WeChat and greeted each other from time to time, which is really great!" she said.