arezou shah mohammadi, an iranian blogger on china's social media, conveyed a "message of love" from china to children of afghan immigrants in iran, who are studying in a compact school named farhang, or culture in persian.
iran has been one of the largest recipient countries of afghan refugees due to the connected border, close culture, mature social network and other factors, analysts say.
despite the impact of the covid-19 pandemic, the school's operation has been restricted by the lack of funds and other problems. the income of each full-time teacher is only about 30 u.s. dollars per month, barely enough to maintain a minimum standard of living, while part-time teachers are teaching free of charge.
arezou shah mohammadi interacts with students at the farhang school in iran. (photo provided by arezou shah mohammadi)
after posting a video on chinese social media about the school, shah mohammadi earned a broadcast revenue. she also received as many as 356 donations from her chinese followers, totaling 9,189.6 yuan (around 1,423 u.s. dollars).
she donated all the money to the school and plans to equip these afghan kids' family with desks.
"it is on behalf of chinese friends who donated their love to the children in school. that's why i call it china's goodwill," said shah mohammadi.
paintings by students at the farhang school. (photos provided by arezou shah mohammadi)
during a visit to the school, shah mohammadi told children about china, showing them the map and national flag of china, and introduing china's great wall, pandas and kung fu.
children drew pictures to show china in their mind. some drew the national flags of china, afghanistan and iran, depicting friendly relations among the three countries in their young hearts, with "thank you" written in newly learned chinese characters.
"i hope to continue to help more such schools and children through more efforts and engagements of benevolent chinese netizens in my social network," said shah mohammadi.
