Since the outbreak of the novel coronavirus pandemic, we have been touched by stories from the front line of fighting the pandemic. They are conscientious primary-level workers,warm-hearted volunteers, and fearless medical personnels, meanwhile, they are also fathers, mothers, sons and daughters who neglect their own families. They are heroes in harm’s way. We are fortunate to witness the warmth of humanity and the cohesion of Chinese people who unite as one in the face of national disaster;
In addition to those touching stories in the news, we have a hero in harm’s way in our life and work.
Mr. Su Wentao, the General Manager of Green World Kenya branch, is such a pioneer who has been working in his post for more than ten years. He has rooted his best time in the development of Green World African region. At the beginning of opening up of the Kenyan market, he led the team to expand new territory. Before the epidemic in 2019, the performance of Kenya branch was booming and made a great breakthrough, which also proved his efforts and determination. In order to expand the market of the company, he even went to Somalia alone, where the situation is turbulent and there are major potential safety hazards. At the same time, he also gain the most beautiful time and find the love of his life in Green World. He and his wife meet and know each other in Green World, and they finally tie the knot and then have two lovely kids.
The year of 2019 is the most outstanding and busy year in Kenya, but bad news comes one after another. After receiving the news that his mother's condition was deteriorating in November, he could only visit his mother when he returned home for vacation, and then he took the flight back to Kenya to continue his work. In January 2020, the domestic epidemic outbreak spread rapidly throughout China, and the media all over the world focused on China. Unfortunately in February, his elderly father fell ill one day because of years of overload by taking care of his mother who was paralyzed in bed. His father failed to see him for the last time before he passed away. He also failed to accompany his father to show his filial piety before his death. After hearing the bad news, he rearranged all the work and bought a ticket to return home only to organize a simple funeral for his father. Just as he was planning to return to Kenya for work after the funeral, the pandemic began to spread rapidly around the world in March. The headlines of global media covered with new cases and deaths every day. The international flights in Africa were canceled one after another, so he had to postpone his plan. During this period, apart from continuing to take care of his mother, he did not stop working for the Kenyan market. As long as there was any need for him concerning online meetings, opinions on training courses, marketing support, policy guidance and so on, he could always put his priorities to solve the problems. The local distributors are most impressed by his dedication in his duty.
In late July, he continued to take care of his mother and family as usual, but in the meantime he was eager to wait for the reopening of international flights in Kenya. When the Overseas Service Department of Green World informs him that the flight to Kenya is finally reopened, he promises as long as the ticket to Kenya is available, he will go back even though the virus still haunt the area, and the local medical facilities and the hygiene condition are not good enough. He decides to go back to the place where he has worked for many years with his original aspiration and mission. Although he is unwilling to leave his family behind, he know that he should shoulder the responsibility of his career. He immediately makes a good arrangement for his family, repacks his luggage and sets foot on a flight to Kenya again.
This story of Mr. Su Wentao, the hero in harm’s way, is not only to share the touching story with global partners but also to show the highest respect and endless praise to all Green World overseas staff and partners who are struggling to work in the front line.
May we all make extraordinary contributions in our ordinary posts to seize the day and live it to the fullest.
