14-year-old Hanmin lives with his mother, baby sister, and grandparents in Shicheng County, Jiangxi Province. Mother supports the family with odd jobs near home, grandpa does farming, and father works away from home. This year’s Spring Festival was planned as usual: the whole family was to gather for the holiday, and father would go back to work in Guangdong Province afterwards. However, COVID-19 turned that plan upside down.

In order to fight against the pandemic, the whole country went under quarantine and lock down. Hanmin’s family followed the policy, didn’t gather and barely went outside. However, the postponement of work, as well as restrictions on cross-city migration, prevented Hanmin’s parents from getting back to work. Family income dropped dramatically. Fortunately, farming the family land still supported their daily needs. Looking back on the time when Hanmin needed to study from home via internet, he said, “I couldn’t go out to play with my friends, and I was constantly scared that I would get infected by the virus.”

By late January 2020, Shicheng County had one confirmed case of COVID-19. The patient recovered and left hospital on 13th of February. In order to boost the local schools, communities, children and their families’ pandemic precaution and hygiene awareness, World Vision distributed basic protective gear and held pandemic prevention awareness activities at schools and at children centers.

Hanmin’s school received disinfectants, liquid soaps, and school hygiene boxes from World Vision before in-person school resumption. With these items, schools could thoroughly sanitizing classrooms and student dormitories. By watching the educational video <Maintain Good Hygiene Habits, Keep The Disease Away>, Hanmin learned quite a bit about maintaining good health.

Beyond donating school hygiene boxes, World Vision also provided family packs for Hanmin and his schoolmates. Hanmin was happy when he received his kit because he was not only able to clean his hands with his new liquid soap but, “I could also read the [COVID-19 prevention] booklet at home with my baby sister to learn more about COVID-19 prevention. I am not afraid anymore!"

Time seems to have flown as now a new semester begins. Students can now go back to school in person. Hanmin is able to play basketball with his friends! Life and school are back to normal. Hanmin’s parents are able go back to work again too and the family income is improving compared to the first half year.

These days in low-density Shicheng County, face masks are no longer visible on street. Still, Hanmin does not let his guard down on virus prevention - it has made an indelible impression. He says to World Vision staff, to protect himself and his family, he will continue to avoid crowded areas, wash his hands often, and do everything to maintain his personal hygiene.