Alimu sells kebabs on the streets of Bijie. Xinhua News Agency
If people care for each other a little more, this society will be more harmonious.
If I could set up a kebab stall near the Bird's Nest, the business would definitely be booming, and I could earn more money to help poor children.
- Alimu
A good son of the Xinjiang people.
- Zhang Chunxian, Secretary of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region Party Committee
Alimu is a petty trader who is not affluent, but property has a price, while love is priceless. The not-so-abundant Alimu supports the most simple yet heaviest charity cause with a sense of shame.
- Internet user "Guo Yangyang"
Uncle Alimu couldn't read much because of family poverty. He thought social development should start from education, so he chose to sponsor students in poverty and hoped that we could contribute to society in the future.
- Zhou Yong, a sophomore at Bijie Experimental High School sponsored by Alimu
Alimu, who had been helped by others, regards passing on love as his life and spiritual pursuit. What permeates him is the traditional virtue of mutual help of the Chinese nation.
- Qin Ruping, Secretary of the Bijie Regional Party Committee
The 39-year-old Uighur man Alimu did not consider himself a "grassroots hero."
In December last year, he was selected as the annual online figure of "China Net Story - Touching 2010" with the highest number of votes. Yesterday, he was awarded the "Xinjiang Youth May Fourth Medal," and the president is Miss Maid.
In eight years, he sold more than 300,000 skewers of grilled mutton, sponsored more than a hundred impoverished students, and the amount of sponsorship reached over 100,000 yuan. "If I could set up a kebab stall near the Bird's Nest, the business would definitely be booming, and I could earn more money to help poor children." During the award ceremony in Beijing, while visiting the Bird's Nest, Alimu was still concerned about his "old trade."
【Sponsorship】
Sold 300,000 skewers of grilled meat to help more than a hundred students
Born in Naimenmodun Township, Hejing County, Xinjiang, Alimu grew up in a poor family. His father was an employee of the local supply and marketing cooperative, and a family of nine relied solely on his father's salary. When he was in the second year of high school, his family could no longer afford his schooling, so he chose to join the army and later returned to civilian life after being discharged.
In 2002, Alimu passed through Zhenyuan County, Guizhou, and participated in extinguishing a mountain fire. The local government rewarded him with 300 yuan in cash. Subsequently, through the Women's Federation organization of Bijie region, he donated this bonus along with 200 yuan from his own pocket to a female student at Bijie University who was about to drop out due to poverty: "I realized for the first time that 500 yuan is a small amount for many people, but it can make a big difference for students in poverty."
Since then, most of Alimu's income from grilling lamb skewers has been used for scholarships and educational support. Grilling meat skewers was once just his "livelihood," but afterward, it seemed to carry some additional "symbolism."
"For so many years, whenever I had extra money, I would use it for sponsorship. I directly sponsored more than a hundred students, accumulating over 100,000 yuan," Alimu said.
The profit margin per skewer of lamb was only 30 cents, and two years ago, it was merely 20 cents. To save up 100,000 yuan, he had to sell more than 300,000 skewers.
【Donation】
Established the "Alimu Scholarship"
Four years ago, Alimu arrived at Bijie University with 5,000 yuan, proposing to sponsor some struggling students.
"A large stack of money, all denominations, still carrying the smell of grilled lamb skewers." Tang Yuhua, the deputy secretary of the Bijie University Party Committee, clearly remembered, "Our feelings were very heavy. There are many people in this society who live more frugally than Alimu, and for him, this is almost everything he has."
Soon, Bijie University decided to match another 5,000 yuan, naming the smallest scholarship fund in the entire university the "Alimu Scholarship."
"I didn't get much education, and I only know how to grill lamb skewers. I absolutely cannot let those poor children end up like me," Alimu dropped out of school in the second year of high school and joined the army. He has a nearly reverent respect for cultural education, "Only education can change one's thinking and destiny."
Alimu has a simple idea: "Writing words on a stone can preserve them forever; writing on sand can only preserve them temporarily. Spending money where it should be spent is worth every penny."
"Saving money to help those children learn culture makes my heart happy," Alimu said.
Now, Alimu plans to save money over the next ten years to open a left-behind children's school. Currently, Alimu also wants to get married, "The requirements are not high, she must understand my thoughts and support me in continuing to help poor children."
【Disaster Relief】
Purchased beef and vegetables and sent them to Yushu
On April 14 last year, upon hearing the news of the Yushu earthquake, Alimu set off three days later with two large bags of luggage containing folding beds, bedding, and cooking utensils, flying from Guiyang to Xining. In Xining, he purchased beef and vegetables with more than 8,000 yuan and sent them to the disaster area.
"All I have done is to thank the good people who lent a helping hand when I was in trouble." Alimu, who is always willing to help others, never forgets those who helped him when he was in the most difficult times.
"If people care for each other a little more, this society will be more harmonious," Alimu told reporters. Now, the initial draft of a song written for Alimu, "How Much Love There Is, How Big the World Can Be," has been completed.
Alimu said he always remembers a sentence said by his old squad leader when he was in the army: "Small is home, big is the country. When the country and the people need you, those who can stand up are heroes." (According to Xinhua News Agency)