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Boys become men after family hardships
(China Daily)
Updated: 2005-12-15 06:10
In 2003, Hong was recruited by the department of economic management of the
Hunan Huaihua Institute in Central China's Hunan Province.
With barely any funds, Hong had to bid farewell to his father and sister and
set off alone.
Then a freshman aged 21, he continued a life of studying and working when he
could. He took on a range of part-time jobs, such as selling convenience noodles
and marketing advertisement.
Li Hong'e, Hong's fellow villager and college alumna, said he rarely had the
chance to eat well.
"Sometimes he had rice only, flavoured with the spice of convenience
noodles," she said.
Last year, little Chenchen came to join her brother in Hunan. She lived with
Hong's teacher and female classmates in turn during the year.
School bosses launched an appeal for donations to help the pair after
learning of the family's plight.
When donations of 3,190 yuan (US$400) were offered to Hong, his pride led him
to refuse the handout.
The school instead decided to use this money to help cover Hong's tuition
fees.
But he keeps refusing to accept additional donations.
"I think it is most important for a man to support himself and be strong," he
said.
Without the help of the school authorities, Hong succeeded in sending little
Chenchen to a primary school in the city of Huaihua himself.
And his efforts to try to keep the dwindling family unit together have been
rewarded.
Hong's mother has now returned home and his long-lost younger brother has got
back in contact.
Hong said his tribulations had given him the strength to face any adversities
in the years to come.
"It is the love and responsibility that has driven me to hold on during the
years."
"When the going gets tough, I choose to face it without considering how
difficult it is or whether I can do it," said Hong, who is now seeking a job in
the city.
"I want to be such a man, who brings opportunities to
other people instead of myself."
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