Yesterday afternoon, the account of the "Zhejiang Ai Run Yun Gui Youth Fund" established through the initiative of the Zhejiang Provincial Youth Development Foundation and the Youth Times received a personal donation of 100,000 yuan. The note read simply "Donated by Zhang Beiyuan."
Journalist Lu Shaojie contacted through the Zhejiang Youth Foundation the donor of this sum from Shaoxing, only to find out that he was an 11-year-old child named Zhang Beiyuan.
Where did these 100,000 yuan come from? Zhang Beiyuan said it was his accumulated lucky money from childhood. Behind the decision to donate lay a story that made one ponder.
Homeroom teacher: The child is kind and pure-hearted
Homeroom teacher Zhong Caijuan told journalist Lu Shaojie, "This family didn't make a fuss about it, nor did I tell the school. However, the child genuinely cared about this matter; he's very compassionate in daily life."
"I think the child's concept of money is vague, his thoughts are very simple, he just wanted to donate all his lucky money, and at once donated 100,000 yuan, which even surprised adults," she remarked.
In class discussions, extracurricular talks, compositions, and diaries, Zhang Beiyuan's kindness always shone through. When he saw injured animals or classmates in difficulty, he was always concerned. In her mind, Zhang Beiyuan was a very special child. While other children were chattering about the water shortage situation in Yunnan and Guizhou, he listened silently with tears welling up in his eyes.
Likes watching CCTV News Channel
"I like watching the CCTV News Channel, programs on channels 7 and 12, and news about President Hu's foreign visits. Recently, seeing him visit drought-affected areas left a deep impression on me," Zhang Beiyuan explained.
Journalist Lu Shaojie connected over the phone with Zhang Beiyuan, the class monitor of Grade 3, Class 1 at Shaoxing Lu Xun Primary School. His voice was still young, but his depth of thought and knowledge impressed Lu Shaojie.
Lu Shaojie learned that before Qingming Festival, the school had called for donations of one yuan each to help children in drought-stricken areas. "I thought one yuan was too little. Our class of 53 students donated 53 yuan. I wanted to donate more, but the school wouldn't accept it," Zhang Beiyuan recounted.
On the day the school organized the donation drive, as soon as he got home, Zhang Beiyuan asked his father urgently, "Can I donate all my 100,000 yuan in lucky money?"
Upon hearing this, his father was initially shocked and reluctant: "Are you sure you want to donate all of it?"
Unexpectedly, his son Zhang Beiyuan replied firmly, "Yes, I am."
Zhang Beiyuan received about 9,000 yuan in lucky money every year. He had agreed with his parents to save it for college use, "But I think the children in Yunnan and Guizhou need it more!"
The child said: This was originally a secret
"This was originally a secret known only to my dad, mom, and teacher. Now that you know, I don't mind. Helping disaster-affected children isn't something that should be kept secret," Zhang Beiyuan maturely stated.
To reasonably arrange these 100,000 yuan, he himself searched online for donation methods. His parents also consulted his homeroom teacher Zhong Caijuan, and after being recommended by the Communist Youth League Committee of Shaoxing County, they donated the money to the Zhejiang Foundation.
Dad said: We should learn from him
Zhang Beiyuan's father, Zhang Sangming, told Lu Shaojie that their family's financial condition was acceptable, but their parenting style was strict, and their son never spent money extravagantly. Yet, when their son decided to use his 100,000 yuan savings for donation, as a father, he was quite surprised.
"At the time, I asked him, 'What if people criticize us?' But he said, 'No matter what others say, I want to help those children.' That our son could have such a lofty realm, we adults really need to learn from him!"
Times reporter Lu Shaojie related theme articles:
Lu Shaojie: Low-carbon emission reduction, let's do it together!
Lu Shaojie: China is not yet ready for property tax collection
Lu Shaojie: Shanghai promotes low-carbon city construction using the World Expo opportunity