After more than 10 years in China, an Egyptian teacher refuses to leave when the country facing a difficult fight with the novel coronavirus.
Roma, 34, teaches English at a training agency in Dongping town, Anhua county in Central China's Hunan province, which neighbors Hubei, the center of the outbreak.
"I believe the current difficulties are temporary and I have faith in China," he said, adding the country is his second hometown. His wife and three children are with him in Hunan.
A photo of Roma and his students. Roma teaches English at a training center in Dongping town, Anhua county in Central China's Hunan province. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]
Able to speak fluent Chinese, Roma has taught English for over 10 years in China since he came to the country in 2008, and once lived in Jiangsu and Sichuan provinces, as well as Shanghai.
The training agency where he works is located in a mountainous area. "Students in these areas need us more," Roma said.
With love and respect for his "second hometown", Roma always makes a contribution to people in need. Back in 2008, when China's Sichuan province was hit by an earthquake, he donated money and objects to help people there who suffered great losses.
Roma teaches English at a training center in Dongping town, Anhua county in Central China's Hunan province. He is from Egypt and has lived in China for over 10 years. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]
"My children grew up in China and Chinese people are very friendly to us, and we feel happy living and working here," he said.
After the outbreak started, he was provided free airline service back to Egypt, an offer his family hoped he would take.
But he refused, resolving to stay. "China will definitely overcome the epidemic and win the battle."
Roma teaches English at a training center in Dongping town, Anhua county in Central China's Hunan province. He is from Egypt and has lived in China for over 10 years. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]
