A Cross-border Life Rescue

By Jiang Hui,Li Jie & Xiong Shi

“Manager Reza has fully recovered!” A message from Bangladesh made Li Geyang,deputy director of Foreign Trade Office of China Shipbuilding Industry Corporation,overjoyed.

In the past year,Reza in Bangladesh recovered from a fatal condition with the help of Li Geyang and his colleagues.

It all started from a piece of news.

News Out of the Blue

“Manager Reza is ill! The medical examinations reported that he had two serious cardiovascular blockages,one of which was 85% blocked,which can cause fatal myocardial infarction at any time.” Li Geyang was shocked when he heard of it on a day in March of 2018.It has been three years since the last time he saw Reza,but he still remembers his amiable face clearly.

Six years ago,along with three colleagues and some technicians from other companies,Li Geyang came to Chittagong,Bangladesh to work on overseas projects.They threw themselves into the intense work as soon as they arrived in this foreign land,before they could adapt to the local hot weather.

Reza was the manager of the hotel where Chinese staff members were staying.“Far away from home,we felt at home from the very beginning because of him.” Li Geyang recalled Reza welcoming them downstairs with all his staff every time they went to Bangladesh and stayed at the hotel; Reza enthusiastically embraced everyone when they stepped out of the car,helping carry luggage and supplies,and sending them to their room.What touched Li Geyang most was that Reza always kept their rooms in the same way as the last time they stayed here,from work clothes on the table to the sheet on the bed.“It’s very comforting for me.” Li Geyang said.

After learning of Reza’s illness,Li Geyang immediately contacted him.Reza sounded too feeble and weak to talk over the phone.He sent a WeChat message later telling Li Geyang: “The operation costs 250,000 Bangladeshi takas (equivalent to 19,700 yuan).I have spent all my savings and my family cannot afford any more.For the time being I’m just taking medicine,hoping my life can go on.God knows how to help me.Pray for me,my friend.”

Hearing the familiar voice from his old friend,Li Geyang felt agonized.He knew very well that Reza makes only a bit more than 10,000 takas per month (equivalent to 790 yuan).With a family of four to support,he could by no means afford the surgery.

Swift and Efficient Action

“Save our friend Reza!” Li Geyang and several colleagues decided to reach out hands and help him without any hesitation.

Soon,a life rescuing activity began across two countries,spanning 2,500 kilometers and connecting three cities from Wuhan to Beijing to Chittagong in Bangladesh.

Li Geyang and his colleagues in Beijing acted in both cities,taking Reza’s medical reports to Beijing Fuwai Hospital and Wuhan Union Hospital respectively.The cardiovascular doctors they consulted all suggested that stent implantation should be done as soon as possible,otherwise the consequence would be lifethreatening.“We will help raise Reza’s operation fee!” They established a WeChat group and initiated fund-raising activities,with many Chinese personnel from the overseas project entering the group one after another.

What happened later was beyond Li Geyang’s expectation: many people,who might have only seen Reza once or perhaps never,joined and contributed to the fund-raising campaign,after seeing the information from the WeChat group.Sincere messages were left by those people: “You showed us what true friendship is like.” “Thumbs up for your love and care”…

Within just one night,more than 40 people donated 20,000 yuan,which was transferred to Reza as soon as possible.To commemorate this activity,they renamed the WeChat group “Memories in BD (Bangladesh)”,and everyone was looking forward to hearing good news from Reza.

At the end of last year,the good news finally came: Reza’s surgery was successful! He expressed his heartfelt gratitude to his Chinese friends who had helped him,and wished everyone the best.

Li Geyang and his colleagues were greatly relieved.“This is the best result we could ever have hoped out of this cross-border rescue.My work in this foreign trade business has warmth,for which I felt grateful.” Li Geyang said with excitement,“We are all envoys of friendship in our communications and exchanges with foreign countries and people,and we are all doing our part to contribute to the ‘Belt and Road’ Initiative.”

(Translation: Lu Qiongyao)