Pakistani family in Hong Kong fights virus by distributing face masks, gloves for free

Published March 11, 2020
Lala Al Sheikh (pictured) buys face masks and other supplies from different medical stores around the community in bulk in order to distribute them to those in need. – Picture courtesy Al Jazeera
Lala Al Sheikh (pictured) buys face masks and other supplies from different medical stores around the community in bulk in order to distribute them to those in need. – Picture courtesy Al Jazeera

As global coronavirus cases continue to rise, one Pakistani family living in Hong Kong has opted to help the local community by distributing thousands of face masks, gloves and other sanitary products for free, Al Jazeera reported.

According to the report, Lala Al Sheikh had established his business in Hong Kong several years ago, selling ornaments from Nepal, Pakistan, India, and China.

"My father-in-law is the one who started this business," says Amna Nadeem, Al Sheikh's daughter-in-law. It had started out small but now it's gotten to a point where we are able to provide free masks and water for everyone in the community, she says.

Every week, Al Sheikh buys face masks and other supplies from different medical stores around the community in bulk in order to distribute them to those in need.

According to him, he does this purely for his own happiness and satisfaction. "When a man dies, it is only his good deeds that are left behind," he says.

Al Sheikh uses the money left behind after subtracting his expenses to buy the products. "I have no other financial help, it's just me and my family. We package and distribute the products as a family," he says.

However, dwindling supplies have thrown a spanner in Al Sheikh's plans, as items such as hand sanitisers and face masks fly off the shelves due to panic buying over the coronavirus.

"I have [distributed items] between six to seven times. The first five times I handed out anti-bacterial soap. But, when there was a shortage of soap — they come from Indonesia — I had to stop," he says.

"If you don't wear a mask, the people will not talk to you," adds Sheraz Jehangir, a salesman at Lala Al Sheikh Trading Company. "You must wear a mask."

Opinion

Editorial

Kurram atrocity
Updated 22 Nov, 2024

Kurram atrocity

It would be a monumental mistake for the state to continue ignoring the violence in Kurram.
Persistent grip
22 Nov, 2024

Persistent grip

PAKISTAN has now registered 50 polio cases this year. We all saw it coming and yet there was nothing we could do to...
Green transport
22 Nov, 2024

Green transport

THE government has taken a commendable step by announcing a New Energy Vehicle policy aiming to ensure that by 2030,...
Military option
Updated 21 Nov, 2024

Military option

While restoring peace is essential, addressing Balochistan’s socioeconomic deprivation is equally important.
HIV/AIDS disaster
21 Nov, 2024

HIV/AIDS disaster

A TORTUROUS sense of déjà vu is attached to the latest health fiasco at Multan’s Nishtar Hospital. The largest...
Dubious pardon
21 Nov, 2024

Dubious pardon

IT is disturbing how a crime as grave as custodial death has culminated in an out-of-court ‘settlement’. The...