2022-02-15
“Make the foreign media not feel alone here. Even standing by together without communication, is a kind of companionship. We resolve to make them feel warm and cosy at home” –Wu Mengmeng
Wu Mengmeng, a transportation volunteer from Beijing Forestry University (BFU) for the Beijing Winter Olympics, said sincerely when interviewed by CCTV. After this stay-up late sample recording on Chinese New Year’s Eve, she picked up her pager again and headed straight for the duty platform.
Wu Mengmeng, the BFU volunteer for Beijing Winter Olympics, reported by CCTV’s national news program “Xinwen Lianbo” (CCTV News)
“Winter Olympics’ Watchman on Chinese New Year’s Eve”
reported by CCTV’s program“Live News”
Among the 257 BFU volunteers, 57 are engaged in the service of transportation, responsible for traffic boarding and alighting, service desk inquiry, guidance on the right platform for the reporters and broadcasters, vehicle coordination and drivers’ practice steering, etc. in Main Media Center (MMC). Since January 3, they have worked in the front line of the Winter Olympics for 40 days and almost 320 hours per capita, jointly ensuring the smooth operation of the event traffic in MMC. Wu Mengmeng is only one of more than 57 transportation volunteers.
Striving and Persistence
“On the Chinese New Year's Eve, after I helped a Swiss photographer successfully buy his high-speed railway ticket, the smile on his face filled me with satisfaction and a sense of pride. This may be the meaning and charm of volunteerism.”—Li Tian’an
As the transportation volunteers had to walk a lot while they are on duty every day, Ren Bao’s instep was worn out with blood bubbles. After simple treatment, he stepped on the night scheduled bus at 9:30. “I’m a big brother. This pain is nothing.”—Ren Bao
“It's a pity that we can't witness the opening ceremony on the spot. But we have made all preparations. Even if we just watch its fireworks, we feel we have no regrets in our life.”—Li Zhiyao
“MMC is a transportation hub for all the journalists and athletes during the Olympic Games. On the night of the opening ceremony, more than 70 transportation volunteers on duty were unable to attend the opening ceremony. But this is our responsibility and I am very proud of our voluntary work.”—Wang Ziming
The first batch of night shift volunteers
The volunteers' frozen fingers
Patience and Carefulness
At 11:30 on a snowy night, Wu Mengmeng contacted the vehicle dispatching center in time when she learned that the vehicle was late. Two other volunteers, Ren Bao and Shi Xiang, also came to appease the passengers and explained the reasons for the delay. They accompanied the passengers in the cold wind for nearly one hour, and witnessed the passengers take the temporary extra bus back to the hotel. Xie Yitian also encountered a similar situation. According to the emergency Response Plan, he helped one of the passengers find the lost mobile phone on the early bus.
Transportation volunteers provide services for foreign media
Tenderness and Growth
“When first communicating with foreigners, I was afraid of opening mouth to speak English. The words just stuck in my throat. Now, I overcome my diffidence and chat freely with them, which is one of the biggest gains in this service.” —Jing Xiaoxi
“After answering the inquiry, a journalist gave me a badge as appreciation, and I responded with a little tiger toyfull of the flavor of the Chinese lunar year of Tiger. Unexpectedly, one of journalists happily said to her,‘You received a gift on your birthday! ’This is a wonderful encounter that really impressed me.”—Cui Ludan
“Our voluntary work is ‘full of flavors’. Sweetness is a saying of ‘thank you’ when the media passenger leaves; Saltiness is the tears of my eyes for their suffering from wind disease; bitterness is the 24-hour rotation; sorrow is a sour feeling when I learned that all transportation volunteers had to be on duty at critical time and missed so many wonderful moments; spiciness is like a devotion, no matter it is sunny or snowy, day or night. It is a deep love to those volunteers who stick to their posts on the New Year’s Eve or in the night of the opening ceremony, to those persons in charge who were prompt in returning messages late at night, and to all the transportation volunteers at Traffic Service Center and on their duty platforms.”—Hang Na
“In this summer, I will be recommended for my master study to Beihang University. This is my last chance to fulfill a sacred mission on behalf of BFU. Thanks for her nurture and care. I want to serve Beijing Winter Olympics and BFU, and leave a youth mark with no regret.” —Qi Ziwei
A short shift break
The Power of Example
“Zhang Yixiao, the Transportation Manager, is very careful and considerate. He makes the volunteers feel warm and happy every day. He also passes this feeling to the media friends, so that they can harvest an unforgettable experience.”—Yan Shaoyong
“The portable dwelling of transportation is our small home. Under the guidance of Manager Zhang, we keep vigil and welcome the dawn together. Never give up and surpass ourselves. This is the spirit of sports, and the spirit of volunteerism that inspires me.”—Zheng Yi
Every form of beauty has its uniqueness, and represents itself with diversity and integrity.
On the way back to residence, Wei Changjiang did a little favor for a Ukrainian journalist by recording a short video to inspire his son to keep learning Chinese. This video has linked the child in Eastern Europe with Wei Changjiang and the Chinese culture.
When Yang Hanxu was on duty, he was asked by journalists from South Korea, “How many floors does the Olympic Tower have?”On hearing the precise answer “it enjoyed 82 floors and 264.8 meters high”, all praised the knowledgeable volunteers and were surprised by the greatness of China's infrastructure.
During the work, Zhou Zhaofu patiently explained to journalists the reasons for the vehicle delay and won their understanding. Despite cultural differences, we cherish each other and look forward to the shared future together.
As Wu Mengmeng, a group leader of transportation volunteers, remarked, it is the small contribution by each person finally converges into a great power. Like Wu Mengmeng, 257 BFU volunteers push forward the smooth operation of the MMC, each corner of the inside and outside, and convey their friendship and warmth in various ways. They are making every effort to contribute to the Beijing Winter Olympics and to present China’s best image to the world.
Volunteers on duty at the platform
Photo of BFU Volunteers
Text in Chinese:
Pan Linwei, Qiu Shengtong, Wu Mengmeng;
Translation:
Kong Xiangbin;
Source:
BFU New Media Center;
