Meet the would-be Expo volunteer who just won't take no for an answer
January 30, 2010, Saturday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
WELCOME to my home!" When we visited Xu Cuihua's home one morning, we saw an old lady with white hair and a kindly smile.
Xu, who lives in the neighborhood of Riyuehuating in Zhuanqiao Town, is 76 now.
When she learned that there was no upper age limit to become a formal Expo volunteer, she signed up her name immediately.
However, her wish hasn't come true yet -- she was politely refused by the administrative department mainly because of her age.
Since being a volunteer may require a long time standing under the sun, they couldn't be sure whether her health could stand it.
But Xu still hasn't given up.
"I just want to be a volunteer," she repeated.
Originally from Anhui Province, Xu used to be a health care physician in Shanghai No. 5 People's Hospital.
After her retirement, she insists on daily physical exercises to keep her body healthy.
Every morning, she gets up early and goes to the senior citizen activity center. Playing badminton, soft ball and some physical jerks, she takes 90 minutes of exercise every day.
"Look at me. I'm pretty healthy! It's no problem for me to stand for six hours a day." When she said that, she kept crouching down and standing up repeatedly.
"Every day I do this 100 times, and I'm healthier than many young people!"
No high blood pressure, no heart disease, even fever and coughing seldom attacks her ? Xu is very confident of her health.
"During the Expo, I want to show our foreign guests a healthy and active impression of an old Chinese lady."
After retirement, Xu didn't take a break -- she studied at Minhang Senior College and has gained qualifications in English and computers.
Now, Xu practices her English ready for the Expo every day, and she has made a lot of efforts to remember the new English words and phrases she has learned, setting aside time to revise.
For more than a year, she has been collecting newspaper cuttings on Expo news, and now she has filled two thick books.
To become a volunteer, Xu also made an "Expo bag." This contains various medicines and a thermometer.
"If I become a volunteer, I'll carry it during my work for emergency."
Living in Minhang for years, Xu is always a warm-hearted person. When she lived in Xingsong No. 9 Neighborhood, she and her husband, who was also a doctor, worked as community health volunteers for more than 10 years.
They provided aging people in the community with medical services such as taking their blood pressure every Thursday.
After moving to Riyuehuating, Xu applied to give health lectures to children during the summer vacation.
"I know they (Expo organizer) refused me because they worry about my health, but I think I'm OK," said Xu.
"If I'm not feeling good, I could take my husband or my granddaughter with me."
To help this old lady, we've contacted the administrative department of Zhuanqiao Town.
They told us that they're also deeply moved by the spirit of this warm-hearted woman, and are now coordinating and communicating with senior officials, trying to realize her dream.
Xu, who lives in the neighborhood of Riyuehuating in Zhuanqiao Town, is 76 now.
When she learned that there was no upper age limit to become a formal Expo volunteer, she signed up her name immediately.
However, her wish hasn't come true yet -- she was politely refused by the administrative department mainly because of her age.
Since being a volunteer may require a long time standing under the sun, they couldn't be sure whether her health could stand it.
But Xu still hasn't given up.
"I just want to be a volunteer," she repeated.
Originally from Anhui Province, Xu used to be a health care physician in Shanghai No. 5 People's Hospital.
After her retirement, she insists on daily physical exercises to keep her body healthy.
Every morning, she gets up early and goes to the senior citizen activity center. Playing badminton, soft ball and some physical jerks, she takes 90 minutes of exercise every day.
"Look at me. I'm pretty healthy! It's no problem for me to stand for six hours a day." When she said that, she kept crouching down and standing up repeatedly.
"Every day I do this 100 times, and I'm healthier than many young people!"
No high blood pressure, no heart disease, even fever and coughing seldom attacks her ? Xu is very confident of her health.
"During the Expo, I want to show our foreign guests a healthy and active impression of an old Chinese lady."
After retirement, Xu didn't take a break -- she studied at Minhang Senior College and has gained qualifications in English and computers.
Now, Xu practices her English ready for the Expo every day, and she has made a lot of efforts to remember the new English words and phrases she has learned, setting aside time to revise.
For more than a year, she has been collecting newspaper cuttings on Expo news, and now she has filled two thick books.
To become a volunteer, Xu also made an "Expo bag." This contains various medicines and a thermometer.
"If I become a volunteer, I'll carry it during my work for emergency."
Living in Minhang for years, Xu is always a warm-hearted person. When she lived in Xingsong No. 9 Neighborhood, she and her husband, who was also a doctor, worked as community health volunteers for more than 10 years.
They provided aging people in the community with medical services such as taking their blood pressure every Thursday.
After moving to Riyuehuating, Xu applied to give health lectures to children during the summer vacation.
"I know they (Expo organizer) refused me because they worry about my health, but I think I'm OK," said Xu.
"If I'm not feeling good, I could take my husband or my granddaughter with me."
To help this old lady, we've contacted the administrative department of Zhuanqiao Town.
They told us that they're also deeply moved by the spirit of this warm-hearted woman, and are now coordinating and communicating with senior officials, trying to realize her dream.
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