Earlier this month, citizens in Xianning learned that 3.6 million kilograms of onions in Yuanmou, Yunnan province were going unsold because of the pandemic. Since the people in Yunnan had supported Xianning in their battle against COVID-19, Christian believers in Xianning wanted to express their gratitude in their own way.
According to Hubei Christian Council & Three-Self Patriotic Movement (CC&TSPM), the believers stated, "During the epidemic, the selfless assistance of the people of Yunnan is something that we can never forget. Now that they are experiencing difficulties, we should also extend a helping hand and express our gratitude."
On April 8, following the wishes of the believers, the person in charge of Xianing contacted a leader of Yuanmou County CC&TSPM of Yunnan and confirmed that the current onion crop in Yuanmou County could not be sold. There were more than 3.5 million kilograms of onions waiting to be harvested. The onions were originally intended for export but not purchased due to the epidemic. The price of onions dropped, leading to the possibility of farmers letting them rot in the fields.
Xianning CC&TSPM began negotiating the purchase of the onion crop, and at the same time confirmed that the majority of the city's believers were willing to purchase onions. Finally, they decided to buy 34 tons of onions at the highest local market price so they could help the farmers in Yuanmou County.
In the early morning of April 16, 34 tons of Yuanmou onions arrived in Xianning. The Christian associations in the city quickly organized the distribution of 17 tons of onions. Xianning CC&TSPM purchased the onions for 20,000 yuan. They then contacted partner church organizations in all the counties and urban areas, asking them to donate onions to teaching staff, believers and community residents who were affected by the epidemic and facing difficulty.
- Translated by Abigail Wu
知恩图报——湖北咸宁市基督教“两会”组织购买云南元谋县滞销洋葱
本月上旬，一则“云南元谋720万斤洋葱滞销”的信息刷爆了咸宁市民的朋友圈。对于在新冠肺炎疫情中支援过咸宁的云南人民，咸宁市基督教信众纷纷表示要用自己的方式来表达感谢。
大家认为：“疫情期间，云南人民搬家式的无私援助让人终生难忘，现在他们遇到困难，我们也应该伸出援手帮助他们，以表达感恩之心。”
4月8日，根据信众们的愿望，咸宁市基督教“两会”负责人与云南元谋县基督教“两会”负责人进行了联系，证实当前元谋县洋葱的确大面积滞销，一个镇就有七百多万斤在地里等待采收。原本用来出口的洋葱因疫情无人收购，销售价格低迷，菜农们可能只能任其烂在地里。
咸宁市基督教“两会”一边紧急商议采购方式，一边统计全市广大信众们的消费意愿，最终确定以当地最高市场价先行集中采购34吨洋葱，以帮助缓解元谋县菜农洋葱滞销的燃眉之急。
4月16日清晨，34吨元谋洋葱顺利抵达咸宁。咸宁市基督教“两会”迅速组织人员把各县市区基督教“两会”自愿认购的17吨洋葱分发到位，并把市基督教“两会”投入2万元左右采购的17吨洋葱也一并分发给各县市区基督教“两会”，委托他们捐献给受疫情影响，生活困难的教职人员、信众和社区居民.
Earlier this month, citizens in Xianning learned that 3.6 million kilograms of onions in Yuanmou, Yunnan province were going unsold because of the pandemic. Since the people in Yunnan had supported Xianning in their battle against COVID-19, Christian believers in Xianning wanted to express their gratitude in their own way.
According to Hubei Christian Council & Three-Self Patriotic Movement (CC&TSPM), the believers stated, "During the epidemic, the selfless assistance of the people of Yunnan is something that we can never forget. Now that they are experiencing difficulties, we should also extend a helping hand and express our gratitude."
On April 8, following the wishes of the believers, the person in charge of Xianing contacted a leader of Yuanmou County CC&TSPM of Yunnan and confirmed that the current onion crop in Yuanmou County could not be sold. There were more than 3.5 million kilograms of onions waiting to be harvested. The onions were originally intended for export but not purchased due to the epidemic. The price of onions dropped, leading to the possibility of farmers letting them rot in the fields.
Xianning CC&TSPM began negotiating the purchase of the onion crop, and at the same time confirmed that the majority of the city's believers were willing to purchase onions. Finally, they decided to buy 34 tons of onions at the highest local market price so they could help the farmers in Yuanmou County.
In the early morning of April 16, 34 tons of Yuanmou onions arrived in Xianning. The Christian associations in the city quickly organized the distribution of 17 tons of onions. Xianning CC&TSPM purchased the onions for 20,000 yuan. They then contacted partner church organizations in all the counties and urban areas, asking them to donate onions to teaching staff, believers and community residents who were affected by the epidemic and facing difficulty.
- Translated by Abigail Wu
Christians in Hubei Buy Unsaleable Onions from Yuanmou, in Return for Aid During Pandemic
