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Ready to lend a helping hand
May 23, 2011, Monday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
CHEN Si, a PhD candidate at Fudan's Journalism School, has helped arranged a visit last month by billionaire philanthropist Kenneth Behring, the founder of World Wheelchair Foundation, to Fudan University.
Her tutor Cheng Shi'an introduced her to the World Wheelchair Foundation, a nonprofit organization leading an international effort to create awareness of the needs and abilities of people with physical disabilities.
"It took our team two weeks to prepare for Behring's visit to the university. The main goal was to bring Behring's philanthropic spirit to the campus and inspire more students to join the cause," Chen said.
"I'm glad that as the host I got the chance to chat with the founder before the activity started. It was very touching and inspiring."
Chen said university students should not ignore the most important part of their spirit and life.
"I do think we should spare some time for charity events and volunteer work," Chen said.
"But young people need society to provide some platforms to help get us involved."
Last year, Chen had an internship at UNAIDS Bangkok office. The internship offered her enough opportunities to attend workshops and conferences in Asia.
"Since then I have been interested in charity and started to do volunteer work. Also, I'm doing some research about charity for my PhD study."
Actually, most students on the scene were inspired by the 84-year-old American's speech on philanthropy. "They were interested about how he became a rich man from a poor family," Chen said. "In the question and answer session, students were eager to learn how to join the foundation and donate and whether there would be any vacancies for volunteers."
Behring was made an honorary citizen in Shanghai, a title awarded to expatriates by the city government.
Behring flies to Shanghai four to five times a year and the Fudan visit was his second time in the city this year.
Behring was noted for donating thousands of wheelchairs to China and the world. He described his life as: "One moment I'm having lunch with the mayor of Shanghai, the next moment I am probably in Africa, meeting the poorest of the poor."
"All I want to do is to make the world smaller and to make a better understanding among people, get them together and be friends," the philanthropist said.
"People need to understand how to give and help each other. It's more satisfying than making money."
When asked about some entrepreneurs' decision to pledge most of their assets to charity, Behring said "the true giver doesn't seek publicity.
"It is a feeling you get," he said. "Nobody has to praise you."
Behring told Fudan students that one thing he would very much like to do as soon as possible is to build a retirement community in Shanghai.
"A retirement community represents a way of life. Seniors want to be occupied. It is built for those who really want to live rather than to die," Behring said.
"We will bring facilities catering to old people's needs and train staff to offer professional caring services."
Always prepared to inspire people to accomplish, Behring said he hoped students can take the initiative to go out and do more.
In fact, more university students in Yangpu District are getting involved in charity work.
The students have created a charity league around the theme "Exchange, Cooperation and Care" and they plan to raise awareness about the value of giving back to society, mobilizing others to make a positive impact on those in need and creating a lasting legacy for future students.
Upon the league's establishment early this month, eight student societies from four universities, including Tongji, Fudan and the Second Military Medical University, shared their charity experiences.
"Student participation in charity events is a big highlight in our district," said Yu Jun, secretary general of the Shanghai Charity Foundation's Yangpu branch. "Charity requires students to be selfless and dedicated. We believe young people can improve themselves while helping others."
At University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, "Charity Month" has been launched recently. It is usually held once every semester. This time, it features a book barter fair, a charity bazaar and book donation.
For the past two years, the event has raised almost 300,000 yuan (US$46,140), providing financial support to more than 800 students.
"Philanthropy can help solve real social problems and provide a new way to cultivate talents," Yu said.
"Universities are like a small society. It is essential to carry on the Chinese virtue of helping those in need," Yu added.
Her tutor Cheng Shi'an introduced her to the World Wheelchair Foundation, a nonprofit organization leading an international effort to create awareness of the needs and abilities of people with physical disabilities.
"It took our team two weeks to prepare for Behring's visit to the university. The main goal was to bring Behring's philanthropic spirit to the campus and inspire more students to join the cause," Chen said.
"I'm glad that as the host I got the chance to chat with the founder before the activity started. It was very touching and inspiring."
Chen said university students should not ignore the most important part of their spirit and life.
"I do think we should spare some time for charity events and volunteer work," Chen said.
"But young people need society to provide some platforms to help get us involved."
Last year, Chen had an internship at UNAIDS Bangkok office. The internship offered her enough opportunities to attend workshops and conferences in Asia.
"Since then I have been interested in charity and started to do volunteer work. Also, I'm doing some research about charity for my PhD study."
Actually, most students on the scene were inspired by the 84-year-old American's speech on philanthropy. "They were interested about how he became a rich man from a poor family," Chen said. "In the question and answer session, students were eager to learn how to join the foundation and donate and whether there would be any vacancies for volunteers."
Behring was made an honorary citizen in Shanghai, a title awarded to expatriates by the city government.
Behring flies to Shanghai four to five times a year and the Fudan visit was his second time in the city this year.
Behring was noted for donating thousands of wheelchairs to China and the world. He described his life as: "One moment I'm having lunch with the mayor of Shanghai, the next moment I am probably in Africa, meeting the poorest of the poor."
"All I want to do is to make the world smaller and to make a better understanding among people, get them together and be friends," the philanthropist said.
"People need to understand how to give and help each other. It's more satisfying than making money."
When asked about some entrepreneurs' decision to pledge most of their assets to charity, Behring said "the true giver doesn't seek publicity.
"It is a feeling you get," he said. "Nobody has to praise you."
Behring told Fudan students that one thing he would very much like to do as soon as possible is to build a retirement community in Shanghai.
"A retirement community represents a way of life. Seniors want to be occupied. It is built for those who really want to live rather than to die," Behring said.
"We will bring facilities catering to old people's needs and train staff to offer professional caring services."
Always prepared to inspire people to accomplish, Behring said he hoped students can take the initiative to go out and do more.
In fact, more university students in Yangpu District are getting involved in charity work.
The students have created a charity league around the theme "Exchange, Cooperation and Care" and they plan to raise awareness about the value of giving back to society, mobilizing others to make a positive impact on those in need and creating a lasting legacy for future students.
Upon the league's establishment early this month, eight student societies from four universities, including Tongji, Fudan and the Second Military Medical University, shared their charity experiences.
"Student participation in charity events is a big highlight in our district," said Yu Jun, secretary general of the Shanghai Charity Foundation's Yangpu branch. "Charity requires students to be selfless and dedicated. We believe young people can improve themselves while helping others."
At University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, "Charity Month" has been launched recently. It is usually held once every semester. This time, it features a book barter fair, a charity bazaar and book donation.
For the past two years, the event has raised almost 300,000 yuan (US$46,140), providing financial support to more than 800 students.
"Philanthropy can help solve real social problems and provide a new way to cultivate talents," Yu said.
"Universities are like a small society. It is essential to carry on the Chinese virtue of helping those in need," Yu added.
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