Fulfillment, not money, spurs social work
May 28, 2011, Saturday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
GAO Lei, 35, never expected he would end up working for a neighborhood committee in Minhang District of Shanghai when he headed off to Germany for university studies in 2001. Like most Chinese going overseas, he thought he was opening the door to big opportunities and high salaries.
What he didn't know at the time was that money can't buy you happiness.
Gao majored in exercise physiology at the University of Hanover. Living in Germany was hard for him at the beginning.
"I felt lonely and helpless," he said, recalling how he could barely afford food or Metro tickets. He was lucky to be discovered by a university community volunteer who helped Gao find a decent apartment and roommates to share the cost. Gao was also invited to German homes during holidays. The volunteers created a sense of community around him.
"I was deeply moved by strangers who gave me hope in hard times," Gao recalled, scarcely realizing at the time how the experience would one day affect his life.
After graduation, Gao took a well-paying job as a sports agent in Berlin. In 2006, he and his Shanghai-born wife flew to Shanghai to visit relatives.
His wife was pregnant at the time, so the couple decided to stay in China. Gao took a job handling the Berlin company's business in China.
"I wore suits to work every day and had to fly on frequent business trips," Gao said. "I was so busy that I almost had no time to spend with my family. I asked myself: 'What kind of life is this'?"
The answer was obvious. He had to jump off the treadmill and find some work that brought him more satisfaction and time with his family.
In 2007, he saw a bulletin board notice at a Jiangchuan residential complex advertising for staff to work for the local neighborhood committee.
Gao wrestled with his decision. He would have to take a cut in pay. On the other hand, he looked at all the difficulties migrant workers face every day in Minhang, and he saw a vision of his former self struggling to cope in Germany. He took the neighborhood committee job.
Gao's mother, who once worked for a residential committee herself, gave Gao her full support.
But other acquaintances thought there must be something wrong with a man who prefers working in a neighborhood in Minhang to living overseas with a high-paying job.
"Some of my classmates and friends ridiculed me," he said, "but I didn't let it worry me because I believe every job in the world is important, no matter how humble."
Gao now works for the Dianji No. 2 neighborhood committee in a 60-year-old residential community in Jiangchuan. There are 1,997 residents on his neighborhood beat. Gao is well-known, well-liked and, most of all, well-trusted by the locals.
Whenever someone is in trouble or needs help, Gao is the first to be called.
"He is smart, enthusiastic and always ready to help us," one resident said.
Zhou Cuidi, another resident, said she never expected a man schooled overseas could be so kind and patient in dealing with life's little problems.
Part of his job is mediating disputes - often trivial - that sometimes erupt between neighbors. Like a man raising chickens, much to the annoyance of households around him. Or students at a primary school who got into fights and needed some stern but gentle coaching on how to get along with other people.
Then, too, there are life's complications to sort out. Like claim forms after a fire or flood damage during the typhoon season.
One senior citizen who suffered from low blood sugar had no one nearby to help him, so Gao fetched medicine and visited him every day until he was better.
Another man was distraught after losing his billiard stick, so Gao helped him post a notice that eventually recovered the lost article.
"I have a good temperament and seldom get bothered by things," he said.
His university training hasn't gone to waste. He has taught local children English and designed aerobic exercises for senior citizens.
"I have a sense of fulfillment from the job, and that's worth much more than money," Gao said.
What he didn't know at the time was that money can't buy you happiness.
Gao majored in exercise physiology at the University of Hanover. Living in Germany was hard for him at the beginning.
"I felt lonely and helpless," he said, recalling how he could barely afford food or Metro tickets. He was lucky to be discovered by a university community volunteer who helped Gao find a decent apartment and roommates to share the cost. Gao was also invited to German homes during holidays. The volunteers created a sense of community around him.
"I was deeply moved by strangers who gave me hope in hard times," Gao recalled, scarcely realizing at the time how the experience would one day affect his life.
After graduation, Gao took a well-paying job as a sports agent in Berlin. In 2006, he and his Shanghai-born wife flew to Shanghai to visit relatives.
His wife was pregnant at the time, so the couple decided to stay in China. Gao took a job handling the Berlin company's business in China.
"I wore suits to work every day and had to fly on frequent business trips," Gao said. "I was so busy that I almost had no time to spend with my family. I asked myself: 'What kind of life is this'?"
The answer was obvious. He had to jump off the treadmill and find some work that brought him more satisfaction and time with his family.
In 2007, he saw a bulletin board notice at a Jiangchuan residential complex advertising for staff to work for the local neighborhood committee.
Gao wrestled with his decision. He would have to take a cut in pay. On the other hand, he looked at all the difficulties migrant workers face every day in Minhang, and he saw a vision of his former self struggling to cope in Germany. He took the neighborhood committee job.
Gao's mother, who once worked for a residential committee herself, gave Gao her full support.
But other acquaintances thought there must be something wrong with a man who prefers working in a neighborhood in Minhang to living overseas with a high-paying job.
"Some of my classmates and friends ridiculed me," he said, "but I didn't let it worry me because I believe every job in the world is important, no matter how humble."
Gao now works for the Dianji No. 2 neighborhood committee in a 60-year-old residential community in Jiangchuan. There are 1,997 residents on his neighborhood beat. Gao is well-known, well-liked and, most of all, well-trusted by the locals.
Whenever someone is in trouble or needs help, Gao is the first to be called.
"He is smart, enthusiastic and always ready to help us," one resident said.
Zhou Cuidi, another resident, said she never expected a man schooled overseas could be so kind and patient in dealing with life's little problems.
Part of his job is mediating disputes - often trivial - that sometimes erupt between neighbors. Like a man raising chickens, much to the annoyance of households around him. Or students at a primary school who got into fights and needed some stern but gentle coaching on how to get along with other people.
Then, too, there are life's complications to sort out. Like claim forms after a fire or flood damage during the typhoon season.
One senior citizen who suffered from low blood sugar had no one nearby to help him, so Gao fetched medicine and visited him every day until he was better.
Another man was distraught after losing his billiard stick, so Gao helped him post a notice that eventually recovered the lost article.
"I have a good temperament and seldom get bothered by things," he said.
His university training hasn't gone to waste. He has taught local children English and designed aerobic exercises for senior citizens.
"I have a sense of fulfillment from the job, and that's worth much more than money," Gao said.
- About Us
- |
- Terms of Use
- |
-
RSS - |
- Privacy Policy
- |
- Contact Us
- |
- Shanghai Call Center: 962288
- |
- Tip-off hotline: 52920043
- 沪ICP证：沪ICP备05050403号-1
- |
- 互联网新闻信息服务许可证：31120180004
- |
- 网络视听许可证：0909346
- |
- 广播电视节目制作许可证：沪字第354号
- |
- 增值电信业务经营许可证：沪B2-20120012
Copyright © 1999- Shanghai Daily. All rights reserved.Preferably viewed with Internet Explorer 8 or newer browsers.
