On the February 20, a police station at Jinnan District, Tianjin, received a 500-yuan donation and a note from a foreigner who left in a hurry.

The note reads: I’m from Yemen and currently studying at Tianjin University for my doctoral degree. Now China is suffering (from the COVID-19 outbreak), but I firmly believe that China will make through it. I love China and its people. The country is my second hometown. We are willing to fight together with Chinese people and overcome the hard times hand by hand. Though I don’t have much money as a student, I would like to do my bit to help people in Wuhan. Please accept my money and give it to Wuhan people. It may not be of much use, still I feel obliged to do so. Thank you.

His deed was highly praised by a local social media who publisheD the news on their platform on February 27. On that very day, the student donated another 500 yuan through the university.

This student is Al-Kahtani Moohialdin Saleh Mohammed, a doctoral student studying at Tianjin University’s School of Civil Engineering.

He has been in China for ten years and all his three children were born in China and speak fluent Chinese.

Al-Kahtani said that he was very thankful for all the kindness he received from the Chinese government, the university and his teachers since the virus outbreak. “Our teachers show great care to every student. They make daily inquiries about our health status and are always ready to help us both mentally and physically. Even strangers like the security guy, the neighbors and the owner of the vegetable shop where I often purchase my groceries showed me kindness and care in different ways, a simple greeting or a piece of advice about self-protection.” Al-Kahtani and his family never felt alone in this special period.

“I love China very much, and I’m eager to help Chinese people fight against the virus” said Al-Kahtani.

By Eva Yin