108-year-old man finances schooling of more than 10 people

Walking into an apartment in an old residential building at No. 3, Area 3, Anhuali Community, what one sees first are the cement floor and white plastered walls. The most prominent pieces of furniture in the house are two single beds and two settees. This is the home of 108-year-old Kong Qingchun. His housekeeper said that "Grandpa is very generous to others in need but he is frugal with his own finances."

Kong said that he is willing to help others because he had been supported by other people. Kong was born in northeast China in December 1901 and came to Beijing before liberation. In the early years after liberation, he had gotten into some trouble and was given money by some businessmen from northeast China who ran businesses in Beijing and Tianjin. With his living subsidized, he spent two years studying several different topics, including radiation and how to nurse a tuberculosis patient, and eventually obtained a job in a hospital.

From then on, the old man has believed that "knowledge can change your destiny" so he is especially willing to support others to study. Kong had financed more than 10 children all his life, beginning with his relatives and later even strangers. Among them was a child named Bai Yongjun, who faced the plight of dropping out of school and working at a railway station after only being in high school for a week. After trying to find a solution, his teacher took him to Kong's house and told Kong about the child's trouble. Finally Kong supported him in order for him to complete his high school studies. Among the students who received Kong's support, some became doctors or teachers and some became entrepreneurs or social workers. "Look, these are the letters and greeting cards they have sent me." Every time he receives one of these letters from the children, Kong is very happy.

"Grandpa lives a thrifty and simple life." Yang Huixia, a housekeeper in Kong's house who has attended him for seven years, said that "the original television had been used for 20 years and when I came here in 2002, there wasn't even a washing machine or air-conditioning unit in his house. These domestic appliances were not bought until last year and this year."

Now, after the nurse's salary and daily expenses, there can be about 1000 yuan in savings from his pension of more than 2700 yuan a month. Kong said that he has medical insurance and can get subsidies from the government, so he will save the remaining money. "Although I am very old, I will finance children in trouble, as I always have."

Translated by LOTO