Yu Fengying (L) and her team members help to fight the flood.

As torrential rain fell on the central and northern parts of East China's Jiangxi Province during the summer of 2020, the water level of Poyang Lake rose sharply. Yu Fengying worried. The 53- year-old resident of Jiangjialing (a village in Poyang, a county in Shangrao, a city in Jiangxi Province), realized the county would be submerged, and the flooding would level the homes of 1.6 million residents, if the river burst its banks.

She felt she had to act, so Yu, head of a women's dance team in Jiangjialing, led the team's members in fighting the flood. Working with young soldiers, who helped fight flooding under the scorching sun, Yu told the dance team's members, "The soldiers are working so hard to protect our safety. We should also do something to protect our hometown."

As they were aware the river was about to burst its banks, Yu and the team's members mobilized villagers to quickly move to a safe place. Within two hours, all of the villagers (more than 200) arrived at the safe place.

More than 2,000 soldiers and rescue workers worked day and night, as they filled and carried sandbags to the riverbank. The members' hearts ached as they saw how tired some of the soldiers were; some of the soldiers, who were incredibly exhausted, fell asleep as they ate their food . So, the members decided to take care of the soldiers and workers. In addition to making snacks and nutritious soup for them, the members helped the soldiers and workers fill and carry sandbags to the riverbank.

After media outlets reported on the 100-member team, later in the year, many netizens, from across the country, called the members "Sisters Braving Winds and Waves." Following the women's example, women villagers gave the soldiers and workers many new quilts and gloves, which they could use during the fight against the flood. Many residents of Jiangjialing and its villages vied with each other to offer delicious foods to the soldiers and workers.

"Combating flooding is arduous work. However, the Party and the people's concern and vigorous support strengthened our determination to carry on," recalls Yu.

Within a short time after the flood had receded, Yu led the team's members in helping villagers rebuild their homes. Yu vowed she and the members would participate in more voluntary activities to help residents live better lives.

As torrential rain fell on the central and northern parts of East China's Jiangxi Province during the summer of 2020, the water level of Poyang Lake rose sharply. Yu Fengying worried. The 53- year-old resident of Jiangjialing (a village in Poyang, a county in Shangrao, a city in Jiangxi Province), realized the county would be submerged, and the flooding would level the homes of 1.6 million residents, if the river burst its banks.

She felt she had to act, so Yu, head of a women's dance team in Jiangjialing, led the team's members in fighting the flood. Working with young soldiers, who helped fight flooding under the scorching sun, Yu told the dance team's members, "The soldiers are working so hard to protect our safety. We should also do something to protect our hometown."

As they were aware the river was about to burst its banks, Yu and the team's members mobilized villagers to quickly move to a safe place. Within two hours, all of the villagers (more than 200) arrived at the safe place.

More than 2,000 soldiers and rescue workers worked day and night, as they filled and carried sandbags to the riverbank. The members' hearts ached as they saw how tired some of the soldiers were; some of the soldiers, who were incredibly exhausted, fell asleep as they ate their food . So, the members decided to take care of the soldiers and workers. In addition to making snacks and nutritious soup for them, the members helped the soldiers and workers fill and carry sandbags to the riverbank.

After media outlets reported on the 100-member team, later in the year, many netizens, from across the country, called the members "Sisters Braving Winds and Waves." Following the women's example, women villagers gave the soldiers and workers many new quilts and gloves, which they could use during the fight against the flood. Many residents of Jiangjialing and its villages vied with each other to offer delicious foods to the soldiers and workers.

"Combating flooding is arduous work. However, the Party and the people's concern and vigorous support strengthened our determination to carry on," recalls Yu.

Within a short time after the flood had receded, Yu led the team's members in helping villagers rebuild their homes. Yu vowed she and the members would participate in more voluntary activities to help residents live better lives.

Photo Supplied by  the Interviewee

(Women of China English Monthly December 2021 issue)