None of this would have been possible without the help of Shenzhen volunteers. They helped me realize that there are good people everywhere and that kindness is its own reward.” — Huang Fanming, who has a successful charity shop and spends his time helping families raise money to care for their sick children ? Wang Yuanyuan cheekywang@hotmail.com THIS time last year, Huang Fanming was a heavily-indebted resident of Heyuan, Guangdong Province, who was worried about his son’s severe Mediterranean anemia. Now he has a successful charity shop and spends his time helping families raise money to care for their sick children. “None of this would have been possible without the help of Shenzhen volunteers. They helped me realize that there are good people everywhere and that kindness is its own reward,” Huang, a native of Heping County, said. In January, Huang opened a shop selling objects that had been donated by Shenzhen residents. “Prices at the shop are very low and the proceeds are given to children who suffer from Mediterranean anemia,” he said. Mediterranean anemia, also called thalassemia, is a blood disorder inherited from defective genes in one or both parents. The most common symptoms of Mediterranean anemia are fatigue and weakness due to a lack of oxygen being distributed throughout the body. Behind the shop, there is a classroom in which lessons on Chinese language and culture are held. “It is a great feeling to hear the voices of enthusiastic children being educated while I work. I want more families to be as fortunate as mine has been in receiving help when in need,” he said. A worried father Huang’s son, Huang Yutao, was born in September 2001 and was diagnosed with severe Mediterranean anemia when he was 5 months old. He had to receive blood transfusions once or twice a month and take drugs after meals to increase his intake of iron. Huang fell into debt to pay for his son’s medical care. “We owed more than 100,000 yuan (US$15,800) for blood transfusions and drugs, which put enormous strain on my finances and my marriage. In 2010, my wife decided she could not handle the despair and left me, taking my daughter with her,” Huang said. However, Huang never considered giving up on his son. “I also fell into despair, but when I saw how full of life my son’s eyes were, I would regain hope. I told myself that I would do everything within my power to keep him alive,” Huang said. A fortunate twist of fate By sheer chance, Huang’s story was heard by Fan Zhiming, director-general of a Shenzhen-based charity named Teach for China (TFC), in September last year. Fan used his microblog on Sina Weibo to raise money for Huang. “Fan and several volunteers even cycled all the way from Shenzhen to celebrate my son’s birthday,” Huang said. “They brought gifts for me and my son and helped us in many other ways.” As more Shenzhen residents learned of Huang’s plight, he received an increasing number of donations. With donations from charities and residents in Shenzhen, Huang Yutao had a total splenectomy at Shenzhen No. 2 People’s Hospital in November last year. Since being cured, Huang Yutao has lived a normal life and been able to make friends at school. “What impressed me most is that the volunteers didn’t stop there. They also helped me reunite with my wife,” he said. Persuaded by volunteers, Huang’s wife, who refused to be identified, returned home at the end of last year with their daughter. “Now we are a happy family. My wife holds free lessons for children in Chinese language and culture at home,” Huang said. Giving something back His unexpected fortune has taught Huang much about love and kindness. “After my wife and daughter returned, I started thinking about how I could help local children in the community,” Huang said. Fan told Huang he would offer support and suggestions. “Huang told me about his thoughts. His kindness and responsibility impressed me so I encouraged him to use his wife’s knowledge of Chinese language and culture to help local children,” Fan said. With Fan’s help, Huang opened his charity shop in Heping. “At least 18 children who suffer from Mediterranean anemia in Heping come to our shop regularly. I hope all of them can be as lucky as my son and regain their health to have a normal life,” he said. He spends his weekends spreading awareness of Mediterranean anemia in local communities. “I hope more people can learn about the disease to reduce the likelihood of more children contracting it,” he said. In August, Huang founded a voluntary service team, which offered help to old people. “Young people are being inspired by our work and asking to join us. A lot of elderly people live alone in Heping because their children have gone to work in big cities. We have taken on the task of improving the lives of these old people,” he said. Fan has a high opinion of Huang. “We hope that all this volunteer work has a rippling effect and we eventually become a more caring and charitable society,” Fan said. | 