CRI听力:Volunteers provide translation help after Cyclone Idai

Volunteers have been stepping-up in Mozambique to provide translation services as Chinese recovery teams work in the Portuguese-speaking country to help mitigate the impact from Cyclone Idai, which devastated large swaths of the country this past month.

At one of the relocation sites for the victims of Cyclone Idai in Mozambique's coastal city of Beira, 24-year-old Deng Yuren is helping a doctor with the Chinese recovery team treat a patient.

The 24-year-old is one of 8 volunteers who have been called upon by the Chinese embassy in Mozambique to work as translators for the Chinese crews.

Deng Yuren, who works for a Chinese company that operates a project in the north of Mozambique, says he didn't hesitate to come to Beira to help.

"The Chinese embassy in Mozambique asked for a Portuguese translator from my company and I was selected as I was the only Chinese employee who speaks Portuguese. I didn't think about the dangers when coming to the Cyclone-hit regions. I think this is my job. This is what I ought to do. I'm responding to the calls from the motherland," Deng says.

Deng Yuren is not alone.

Wang Shengjun has lived and worked in Mozambique for over ten years.

The freelancer says it was not difficult for him to offer his help, as Mozambique - his adopted home - is going through a difficult time.

"I'm not a Mozambican, yet I've been living and working with them for a long time. I think I have the responsibility to help them to overcome the difficulties. I don't have too much money, but I have time. I want to take some time to assist them," Wang says.

Together with the Chinese recovery team, all the volunteers are working on the frontlines, carrying out search and rescue support, medical aid and epidemic assistance for the cyclone-hit country.

Li Shuai, a Chinese businessman from the north of Mozambique, has been taking part in search and rescue operations in Buzi, the region worst hit by Cyclone Idai.

The former soldier says he's been dealing with numerous unforgettable experiences and difficulties during his time on the ground.

"I still remember the first day I started working with the Chinese rescue team, we went to a place named Lamego, which is about 80 kilometers away from Beira. We went to the local government and I saw 38 dead bodies in the yard and I was shocked. And the putrid smell forced me to go back in the vehicle. I don't think I will have experience like this again," Li added.

Angelica Sitoe is the lone Mozambican among the volunteers.

The 27-year-old, who studied clinical medicine in China, says she's impressed by the determination of the doctors in the Chinese recovery team.

"The Chinese doctors have shown great care to the local victims. While treating the patients, they are exposed to many health risks. Regardless of the risks, they have close contact with the patients. I'm very touched. I want to thank them for coming here and offering their help to the people in my country," Sitoe says.

Like all others on the ground, the volunteers are being exposed to various health risks, including a growing number of cholera cases among the survivors.

One volunteer has already fallen ill with malaria, which is an ongoing epidemic in Mozambique.

Yet their willingness to offer help seems to be empowering them to move forward in the face of all the difficulties.