Ex-soldiers become caring nurses for seniors

“We are different because we are soldiers”, this is the favorite song of the 32 male nurses in the Second Social Welfare Home of Guiyang, southwest China’s Guizhou province. They are all ex-soldiers. Having left the army for many years, they still maintain the good virtues of soldiers: persistent, devoted and honest. Among the 48 nurses in the social welfare home, 38 are ex-soldiers.

Zhong Lei, 31, is one of them. He has been working here for eight years. He said that few people are willing to work as a nurse for seniors, which is such a tiring and dirty work, with low salary. He didn't like the job either at the beginning. One day in May 2008, granny Yu, who was terminally ill, suddenly spoke to him in a faint voice: "Zhong, you have cared me for such a long time. I know it in my heart. Thank you very much." After saying this, she passed away with a smile on her face. Granny Yu thanked Zhong Lei before her death. It touched him deeply. He began to focus on his work and seriously study nursing knowledge.

According to the vice director of this social welfare home, all the 32 ex-soldiers are good nurses. They respect and care the seniors as if they are their families. Their great work has won the home trust and wide praise.