In 1987, a Chinese 74
year old Pedicab driver (rickshaw puller) by the name of Bai Fang li came back
to his hometown planning to retire from his back breaking job. There, he saw
children working in the fields, because they were too poor to afford school
fees.Bai returned to Tianjin
and went back to work as a rickshaw puller, taking a modest accommodation next
to the railway station. He waited for clients 24 hours a day, ate simple food
and wore discarded second hand clothes he found. He gave all of his hard earned
earnings to support children who could not afford education.In 2001, he drove his
rickshaw to Tianjin Yao Hua Middle school, to deliver his last installment of
money. Nearly 90 year old, he told the students that he couldn’t work anymore. All
students and teachers were moved to tears.In total, Bai had
donated a total of 350,000 Yuan (today 3,580,430 Indian Rs.) to help more than
300 poor students continue with their studies. In 2005, Bai passed away leaving
behind an inspiring legacy.If a Rickshaw puller who
wore used clothes and had no education can support 300 children to go to
school, imagine what you and I can do with the resources we have to bring about
positive change in our world.
