Action and reaction: physics major launches charity
By Fei Lai |
November 24, 2012, Saturday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
TAKE the plunge and rummage around in your closet. You might have some old clothing that would be very welcomed by young students facing a winter cold in Guizhou, the poorest province in China on a per-capita basis.
"They don't have padded clothes to wear in the winter, and some even go to school in sandals," said Wu Yanlong, a senior at East China Normal University in the Minhang District.
Wu has initiated the Dragon and Horse charity drive to help children at the Xingren Elementary School in Guizhou.
"We need to do something to help them," Wu said. "Let's donate our old clothes to these children in need."
In addition to collecting clothes, shoes and other daily use items, his campaign seeks to provide education financing for 11 children from poor families and to establish a scholarship fund.
Wu, who is majoring in physics, is certainly a man with a big heart.
"I take pride in helping others," he said. "It is what our university teaches us to do. I want to improve life for children in underprivileged areas."
Wu is using online communities such as Douban.com to drum up support for his crusade. He has already involved friends, classmates and his parents.
Concern for Xingren Elementary School goes beyond just clothing and scholarships. Wu is also involved in a project to modernize lavatory facilities at the school.
Pride in helping
"It is really hard to believe that there are no flush toilets at the school," he said. "And there is no hired help to clean pit toilets that exist. Students have to clean them. We must do something to create a better study environment."
Toilet renovations will be undertaken during the winter school holiday. Wu said he is financing the project out of his own pocket.
Ma Wei, Wu's closest university friend, hails from Guizhou and has been active in the donations campaign.
"Since there is no postal service near the school and no local bank, all the money and clothes we collect will be sent to Kaili, the nearest town, and then Ma will deliver it all to the school."
Wu is no stranger to the school he is trying to help. "I went to Guizhou during the National Day holiday," he said. "I talked with teachers there to find out what they lack and what they really need most."
He said he learned that children in the backward area have a thirst for education and a desire to know about the "outside world."
The trip evoked strong feelings in him.
"People living in big cities can hardly begin to understand the situation in poorer areas," Wu said. "It made me cherish everything I have and redoubled my desire to share some of it with them."
He said he knows his efforts are just a drop in the bucket.
"Maybe our financial power is not strong enough to fully support these young people in need, but we can do charity work step-by-step and build our power," He said.
Wu returned to Guizhou recently to set up a detailed plan for modernizing the school's toilets.
"The budget is not set yet," he said. "I'm still discussing that with the school. As soon as that is set, I'll deliver the money to Ma and start working on it during the winter holiday."
"They don't have padded clothes to wear in the winter, and some even go to school in sandals," said Wu Yanlong, a senior at East China Normal University in the Minhang District.
Wu has initiated the Dragon and Horse charity drive to help children at the Xingren Elementary School in Guizhou.
"We need to do something to help them," Wu said. "Let's donate our old clothes to these children in need."
In addition to collecting clothes, shoes and other daily use items, his campaign seeks to provide education financing for 11 children from poor families and to establish a scholarship fund.
Wu, who is majoring in physics, is certainly a man with a big heart.
"I take pride in helping others," he said. "It is what our university teaches us to do. I want to improve life for children in underprivileged areas."
Wu is using online communities such as Douban.com to drum up support for his crusade. He has already involved friends, classmates and his parents.
Concern for Xingren Elementary School goes beyond just clothing and scholarships. Wu is also involved in a project to modernize lavatory facilities at the school.
Pride in helping
"It is really hard to believe that there are no flush toilets at the school," he said. "And there is no hired help to clean pit toilets that exist. Students have to clean them. We must do something to create a better study environment."
Toilet renovations will be undertaken during the winter school holiday. Wu said he is financing the project out of his own pocket.
Ma Wei, Wu's closest university friend, hails from Guizhou and has been active in the donations campaign.
"Since there is no postal service near the school and no local bank, all the money and clothes we collect will be sent to Kaili, the nearest town, and then Ma will deliver it all to the school."
Wu is no stranger to the school he is trying to help. "I went to Guizhou during the National Day holiday," he said. "I talked with teachers there to find out what they lack and what they really need most."
He said he learned that children in the backward area have a thirst for education and a desire to know about the "outside world."
The trip evoked strong feelings in him.
"People living in big cities can hardly begin to understand the situation in poorer areas," Wu said. "It made me cherish everything I have and redoubled my desire to share some of it with them."
He said he knows his efforts are just a drop in the bucket.
"Maybe our financial power is not strong enough to fully support these young people in need, but we can do charity work step-by-step and build our power," He said.
Wu returned to Guizhou recently to set up a detailed plan for modernizing the school's toilets.
"The budget is not set yet," he said. "I'm still discussing that with the school. As soon as that is set, I'll deliver the money to Ma and start working on it during the winter holiday."
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