To promote public welfare, equality and social responsibility, BAIC International held a commonweal activity to deliver warmth and love to children who are physically and mentally afflicted with AIDS in Motherwell, one of the poorest and most backward area in Port Elizabeth, South Africa on December 1, 2018. The activity named “Love along the Silk Road” is led by Tian Jinghai, general manager of BAIC South Africa Automobile Co., Ltd. Mr. Mncedisi Mbuqu, councilor of District 54 of Port Elizabeth, Ms. Tia Wessels, Director of Family Reconstruction Services, and Ms. Nombulelo Plaatjie, Principle of Under The Tree Child Care Center, attended this event.

December first is World AIDS Day, and AIDS is one of the most serious health problem in South Africa.

According to the 2016 UN statistics, about 7.2 million people in South Africa are suffering from HIV. HIV incidence of adults is as high as 18.8%. One in five people carries or has AIDS, ranking fourth in the world.

Under The Tree Child Care Center in Motherwell was officially launched in January 2017 and is part of the Family Reconstruction Service, a non-profit organization funded to provide early education and accommodation for young children.

In the midsummer, the dirt road in front of the Under The Tree Child Care Center is covered with gravel and rubbish. More than 30 children at the age of two or three are crowded in two containers. The wind and yellow sand is raging outside. This scene touched everyone there.

The staff members expressed their welcome to BAIC South Africa with passionate dances and songs. Due to fund shortage, this was the only way they can entertain guests.

Mr. Mncedisi Mbuqu expressed his gratitude to BAIC International and BAIC South Africa. He said that Motherwell is currently an extremely difficult area in the Port Elizabeth area, and many people even are afraid to enter there. But people in Motherwell, just like everyone else, are ordinary people with parents, children, and families. They live in extreme misery and need love and care from all walks of life.

BAIC International purchased urgently needed daily necessities, such as milk powder and diapers, reading materials and drawing boards to improve the children's reading ability, and football and dolls accompanying the children's growth.

When Ms. Nombulelo Plaatjie saw this, she was in tears. The number of children in child care center have increased recently, but funding shortages has always been a problem. They were afraid that they can't take care of all these children, and the timely help gave them confidence and strength in the future.

When BAIC employees handed the gifts to the children, the children’s expression slowly turned from fear to trust and expectation, and they gave hand-painted BAIC logo and red ribbons to kindhearted BAIC employees. 

Chinese President Xi Jinping said that China and South Africa should always “treat each other as sincere comrades and brothers sharing weal and woe”. Both countries are developing countries meanwhile emerging powers with important influence in the world. We are linked by the Belt and Road, geographically and emotionally. As a vehicle manufacturer from China, BAIC South Africa is honored to help children who need support in South Africa, and hopes to bring them not only material assistance, but also spiritual care as well, according to Tian Jinghai. 

As the Chinese saying goes “those who give love will be loved, and those who send bless will be blessed”. In terms of love, there is never difference between races, nor gap between countries. BAIC International will continue to “Love along the Silk Road”.

Source: Youth League branch of BAIC South Africa