China Focus
New troops ready to complete mission in Haiti
By Wang Yan (China Daily)
Updated: 2010-01-22 08:06
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Peacekeepers sacrifice festival time with family to continue work
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 Left from top: Hu Yunwang, Shi Jindong, Duan Zhonghui and He Guangwei, four Chinese peacekeepers to be sent to Haiti. Right: Cao Li, a psychologist and member of the Chinese international rescue team, provides psychological assistance to local earthquake victims in Port-au-Prince. [File photos/Yuan Man] |
With Chinese New Year approaching, most people are preparing to head home and enjoy the festival with their families.
For Hu Yunwang, Spring Festival will see him helping other people's families in earthquake-ravaged Haiti.
Last Saturday, 44-year-old Hu flew home to Guangzhou from Beijing, getting only two hours with his wife and 9-year-old daughter before leaving again with the luggage his wife had packed for him.
What Hu's wife might not know is her husband added some pictures of her and their daughter to his luggage.
Hu is to lead a team of four peacekeepers, including himself, as reinforcement to the Chinese anti-riot police team in Haiti.
The action was taken following the recent loss of eight Chinese peacekeepers in the Haiti earthquake. The team gathered in Beijing last Sunday. Now they are waiting for a flight so they can set out.
Teamed with Hu are three other soldiers in their mid-30s. Just like Hu, they all came packed with the care and support of their families.
Shi Jindong, 34, married just three months ago. He is to succeed as the new communications officer. "The best memorial for my dear comrades is to complete their work," Shi said.
His family had planned to hold a wedding ceremony during the Spring Festival, but now it has to be postponed, a colleague told the China Police Daily.
"I can't say my family is not concerned. But they have been really supportive. They asked me not to worry about things back home and do my best at work," he said.
Duan Zhonghui, 36, is a mom of an 11-year-old girl and also the only woman on the team. She will work as the new liaison officer. "I never see myself as a female at work," she said.
Since 2002, Duan has been on several peacekeeping missions, including East Timor and Haiti. Her daughter has become used to mom's frequent absences from home, and showed her understanding through a text message.
"Mom, you'll be leaving tomorrow. Please take care. I'm thinking about donating my New Year's money to the people in Haiti, what do you think? I love you, mom. Your baby will be missing you."
Duan said her husband is also working at the Guangdong Frontier Defense Corps, her previous workplace.
"He is very supportive and considerate. All he wanted from me are text messages telling him that I'm safe," Duan said.
He Guangwei, 35, is from Heilongjiang province. His new job in Haiti is to provide psychological counseling to the peacekeepers there.
The counselor has participated in the psychological work after the 2008 Wenchuan earthquake. His rich experience helped him get picked for the team, which will lead to his first experience as a peacekeeper abroad.
Before taking the mission to Haiti, He's biggest hope was to spend this coming Spring Festival with his family in the far northeast.
"The last time I went home was in 2003. It has been six years. I promised my father to spend Chinese New Year at home. I've already asked for leave. Now I think I'll wish my family 'Happy New Year' from overseas," He said.
He said although his family is worried about him, they still understand the situation.
"My father told me to take care of myself and work hard," He said. "He said the mission is about national affairs. It's big."
