Women's Federation Helps Quarantined Boy Find 'Temporary Mother'

Tongtong, a 3-year-old boy, is confirmed not being infected with the novel coronavirus pneumonia after tests for four times, which is good news for his hospitalized parents who have been infected with the virus.

Tongtong's parents have migrated to Changsha, capital of Central China's Hunan Province, from their hometown in Wenzhou, a city in East China's Zhejiang Province. During his stay at the hospital for medical observation, Tongtong nevertheless felt the love and warmth from medical workers.

According to Wang Can, head of the quarantine wards at the Wangcheng District People's Hospital, the boy was full of fear and panic at his arrival in the hospital for medical observation on February 1, but he soon got used to the environment with the care and help of the nurses.

Living in the quarantine ward was not good for Tongtong's physical and mental health as he was not infected with the virus. However, he had no other relatives in Changsha to look after him.

"When I heard the news, I planned to take the kid to my home, but I was not allowed. He should be quarantined at a quarantine site, but my busy work did not allow me to take care of him," said Liu Qunying, President of the Women's Federation of Wangcheng District.

Therefore, Wang issued a recruitment notice to help Tongtong find a woman volunteer to look after him during the medical observation for 14 days.

Her initiative received response from many local women volunteers in Wangcheng, hometown of Lei Feng, a late soldier well-known in China for his unselfishness and helpfulness.

Twenty nine women signed up for the mission within half an hour, which was beyond Liu's expectations. Liu Jianhua, a 46-year-old teacher, was the most active and determined candidate among them.

After medical examinations and the authorization of Tongtong's parents, Liu Jianhua took up her new position as the boy's "temporary mother" on February 7.

"In the face of the epidemic, there is no 'bystander.' As a native of Lei Feng's hometown, I should put Lei Feng's spirit into practical action. My husband supports me to do so," said Liu.

At noon on that day, an ambulance took Liu and Tongtong to a quarantine site. Liu cooked dishes for him, and they played toys together. She hoped to make his quarantine period colorful and memorable. 

In addition, Liu has invited other teachers at her school to teach Tongtong lessons online. 

(Source: China Women's News/Translated and edited by Women of China)