Ji Xiang, a Chinese language teacher at Chicago's Intercultural Montessori Language School, speaks during a donation ceremony held in Chicago, the United States, on March 4, 2020. To show their solidarity with the Chinese people against Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), Chicago's Intercultural Montessori Language School has donated 5,760 surgical masks, 250 sets of isolation suits. (Xinhua/Wang Ping)
CHICAGO, March 5 (Xinhua) -- To show their solidarity with the Chinese people against Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), an elementary school in the U.S. city of Chicago has donated 5,760 surgical masks, 250 sets of isolation suits.
During a donation ceremony held in the Chinese Consulate General in Chicago on Wednesday, Nimisha Bhatt, executive director of Chicago's Intercultural Montessori Language School, handed over the supplies to Zhao Jian, Chinese Consul General in Chicago.
These medical supplies were purchased with some 3,000 U.S. dollars raised by the children through selling hot chocolate at a charity event organized by the school.
"In the past two weeks, these 18 students work hard to show their love and support for China," said Ji Xiang, a Chinese language teacher at the school.
After the students heard about the coronavirus situation in China at their Chinese class, everyone wanted to do something to help, she said.
"The students offered to sell hot chocolate to raise money in order to purchase medical supplies sent to Wuhan. I saw it's a great idea. Students good at mathematics find the most cost effective supplies; students good at arts designed beautiful posters," Ji said.
She said the students did this because they love China and Chinese culture.
"Most of the students here started learning Chinese from age of three and they all participated in programs in China before. The students showed appreciation of Chinese culture," Ji said. "The students also wrote a letter to China's minister of education, to express our hope that we will have the opportunity to learn more about Chinese culture in Chinese schools and exchange ideas with Chinese students face to face."
Ava Moore, a 6th grader at the school, recalled her experience of traveling in Beijing and Chengdu. She said China is beautiful and she has many Chinese friends.
"On hearing the coronavirus situation in China through my teacher, I'm so worried that I decided to do something to support China. I must go back to China in the future, making more friends there," Moore said in Chinese.
"Thank you for bringing your love and your solidarity to the Chinese People. It has been a very touching movement watching you students doing those great things for the Chinese people and for the fight against the virus," Zhao said while addressing the donation ceremony.
