Expat volunteers lend Sanya's urban development a helping hand

For Karim Fazal, a 25-year-old Pakistani, this is his second year in Sanya, yet he feels he's only now starting to truly understand the place.

"I love Sanya. I want to stay here after I graduate," Karim Fazal said, his eyes as clear and bright as the ocean. As a sophomore majoring in tourism management at Hainan Tropical Ocean University, his Mandarin has become quite fluent.

Karim Fazal first came to know of Hainan because his cousin teaches at Hainan University. Initially, he was drawn by the azure skies and clear seas of the island, but what really captured his heart were the small, everyday acts of kindness — like the extra scoop of food from the cafeteria women, the patient directions given by a stranger when he first got lost in Sanya and the mutual help among classmates.

All these experiences motivated him to become a volunteer.

Joining Karim Fazal is Aleksandr from Russia. Just a few days ago, at a traditional Chinese medicine booth at Dadonghai Square in Sanya, two Russian women were struggling to communicate with the doctor due to the language barrier.

Seeing their discomfort, Aleksandr quickly stepped in, soothing them in their native language and then fluently relaying their symptoms in Mandarin. In that moment, he became a bridge between two languages and cultures.

The stories of Karim Fazal and Aleksandr are just glimpses into the help being provided by the foreign volunteer service team at the New Era Civilization Practice Center in Sanya's Jiyang district.

This team now includes over 30 members, comprising international students from countries like Russia and Pakistan who are studying in Hainan.

They may come from different backgrounds and speak different languages, but they're united by a shared belief.

In bustling night markets, they are patient guides; along the winding coastlines, they are dedicated beach cleaners; at traditional Chinese medicine experience sessions, they are effective communicators.

Their actions show that kindness transcends language, and warmth has its own frequency. These young individuals are breaking down cultural barriers with every gesture, greeting and translation — bringing warmth and kindness to every heart they meet.

Today, more and more young expats are getting involved in the development of the city.

They're not only serving the community, but are also sharing Sanya's story in mutual exchanges.

It's a fascinating cycle — they offer warmth and are nourished by it; they help build the city and are shaped by it.