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
