Today’s virus updates pertain to my sponsoring organization in China, The Amity Foundation. I am an Amity Foundation English Language teacher, and have been for 24 years with my US sending agency being the United Methodist General Board of Global Ministries (UMGBGM).
Amity is a Chinese social service organization whose offices are in Nanjing, China. Aside from the many projects and programs Amity promotes in China (and around the world), one vital component of the organization is Amity’s emergency relief division, which brings aid to those in need. Amity’s emergency relief division is incredibly fast. They were one of the first on the scene during the Sichuan 2008 earthquake, and are consistently bringing supplies to disaster areas difficult to reach in the country.
Once again, Amity has come to the aid of the Chinese people, this time focusing on Wuhan and Hubei Province. Posted on the Amity English Website (amityfoundation.org) was the following:
English Article taken from Website: amityfoundation.org
The Amity Foundation has expanded its emergency relief response in containing the coronavirus outbreak. We support various hospitals and communities in Hubei Province in fighting the virus. Thereby, we receive continuous strong support from local companies and the general public.
January 29 to February 2:
As of February 2, 2020, Amity Foundation has received a total of RMB 35.57 Million yuan donation, or $5.3 million US dollars (including committed donation) from companies, organizations, online fundraising and individuals, and has transported nearly 300 tons of various disinfectants, 10,700 medical protective screens, 713 boxes of various disinfection supplies, 3000 goggles, 43,000 masks, 250,000 pairs of medical examination gloves, and food (including instant noodles and instant rice packages) to the Hubei Province, the province that is most affected by the coronavirus.
To support the work of Hubei’s local social organizations, to promote sector advocacy on fighting against the coronavirus, and to explore international network, Amity Foundation, One Foundation, Narada Foundation, China Merchants Charitable Foundation, Zhenron Foundation, China Social Welfare Foundation, Beijing Pinglan Foundation, China Foundation for Poverty Alleviation, Beijing Normal University Research Center for Risk Governance and Innovation, and the International Council of Voluntary Agencies (ICVA) officially launched the China NGO Consortium for 2019-nCOV (CNC-2019nCOV).
Christians in China are supporting Amity’s emergency relief operations. Chinese churches have raised more than 1.07 million RMB ($150,000 US dollars) to support Amity’s relief efforts in containing the coronavirus, according to the official CCC/TSPM website.
The coronavirus outbreak has also affected Jiangsu Province, where Amity Foundation’s headquarters is located. It becomes common for medical staff in Nanjing’s hospitals, especially in the local community hospitals, to have no time to go out for meals. Since Jan 29, the Amity Medical Health Fund, which is jointly established by Amity and Nanjing University, supports the doctors in local community hospitals and provide meals for them.
A Visual Look
From the Amity Foundation website, look at the great work Amity is doing!
Not only that, but our United Methodist’s UMCOR (United Methodist Committee on Relief) has sent $10,000 to help the Amity Foundation with below supplies.
On a Personal Note
我为能成为一名英语爱德基金会老师而感到自豪! (I am so very proud to be an Amity Foundation English Teacher!)
Although I am out of the country at the moment, I will continue to update those of you in America about the Amity’s ongoing commitment to help those affected. I will also continue to pass along stories of those in Luzhou and elsewhere, myself students and friends, who send news of their lives in this increasingly challenging, and worrying, situation.
From China, here’s wishing you peace, 平安 (ping ahn), for your day.
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