Two villagers in Zhao County enthusiastically build the "House of Benevolence" on their own
In Jiadian Village, Zhao County, the villagers long ago developed this habit: whether they have something to do or not, they drop by the "House of Benevolence" to sit for a while. This "House of Benevolence" was voluntarily established by two villagers who are passionate about public welfare. Here, the elders relax and chat, the children study Chinese classics... and their spare time is exceptionally rich and colorful.
The "House of Benevolence" lets the villagers enjoy happiness in their old age
"Let's go together, let's sit for a while at the House of Benevolence!" On the morning of June 22, the elderly Liu Luansuo of Jiadian Village, Zhao County, walked out of his home and began rallying everyone he met. Along the road of just over 100 meters, four or five companions had joined the old man. The "House of Benevolence" that Liu Luansuo speaks of is a small room of less than 20 sq m, yet its interior facilities are complete in every respect. Sofas, electric fans, books, discs... here the villagers can both chat and read books or watch TV. On the outer wall of the House of Benevolence there is also a clothing exchange area, where villagers can hang up their own surplus clothes on the wall, and those in need can take them away at any time. "Every weekend there are teachers giving the children classes on Chinese classics, and during festivals and holidays cultural activities are also organized." The elderly Liu Genyin praised repeatedly, saying that the "House of Benevolence" lets the village elders enjoy happiness in their old age and lets the children learn in their youth. This is all thanks to the villagers Liu Zhenwei and Liu Xuezhi.
A "public welfare star" brings public welfare back to his hometown
Liu Zhenwei and Liu Xuezhi are both villagers of Jiadian Village, and both have been passionate about public welfare for many years. Liu Zhenwei is 46 this year and is an ordinary worker at a local textile factory. In 2014, Liu Zhenwei joined the Zhao County Love Public Welfare Group, and on the third day after joining he, as a volunteer representative, delivered consolation money to a local orphan. At his first public welfare activity, Liu Zhenwei's heart was filled with mixed feelings. "Beyond being moved, there was more a sense of mission, I just wanted to do my own bit to help more people." Liu Zhenwei said that after that time, his path in public welfare went further and further. In just the past year alone, he donated more than 4,000 yuan. Quite a few villagers said Liu Zhenwei "works hard for no thanks," because every time he does public welfare, not only does he contribute his own money and effort, but he also has to ask for leave and have his wages docked. Liu Zhenwei says, however, that doing public welfare has let him find happiness in life. The 53-year-old Liu Xuezhi and Liu Zhenwei are relatives of the same clan. Liu Xuezhi, who has always lived in the city district, also joined multiple charity volunteer motorcades and public welfare organizations early on. The two men, both passionate about public welfare, also became Jiadian Village's famous "public welfare stars."
"You've been doing public welfare for so long, why not bring public welfare to your hometown too, so that the folks back home can benefit as well?" At the end of 2015, a casual remark from a villager reminded Liu Zhenwei and Liu Xuezhi. After intense preparations, in December of the same year, the "House of Benevolence" was officially established in Jiadian Village.
Many villagers joined one after another
"From its establishment to its operation, the 'House of Benevolence' could not have done without the strong support of the villagers." Liu Zhenwei said that when they first said they wanted to bring public welfare to their hometown, the villager Liu Jiankai volunteered and closed his own shop to free up the space. All the supporting facilities of the "House of Benevolence," from large items like sofas and appliances to small ones like books and discs, were donated by the villagers. During festivals and holidays, when dinners or cultural activities are held, the villagers all spontaneously bring ingredients to help. To be more convenient for the people, the "House of Benevolence" has never been locked since it was established. Even so, not only have the facilities inside never gone missing, villagers often even bring items and leave them without leaving a name. Last year, several elders in the village also spontaneously gathered together to sew "love quilts." Liu Zhenwei said that in the half year since the "House of Benevolence" was established, he was pleasantly surprised to find that not only had Jiadian Village's villagers begun to take an active interest in public welfare, but even villagers from surrounding villages had become regular visitors to the "House of Benevolence," joining the public welfare activities together.
Liu Zhenwei said that many young people in Jiadian Village work elsewhere, and over the half year he often received phone calls from villagers working away from home; the content of the calls seemed coordinated in advance, all expressing the same wish: "Everyone wants to do something for the village. Whenever there's a need, everyone will come as soon as called."
Hoping to spread the spirit of public welfare even further
As for the development of the "House of Benevolence," Liu Zhenwei and Liu Xuezhi long ago had a plan. "We have already started work on the expansion." Liu Zhenwei said that every weekend the "House of Benevolence" opens a Chinese classics class, and the children have increased from more than 20 to nearly 50, so a space of nearly 20 sq m simply cannot hold so many children. At present, a villager has already provided his own homestead as the second site for the "House of Benevolence." During the expansion of the "House of Benevolence," Liu Zhenwei also plans to set up a public welfare group to make it easier for more people to join the "House of Benevolence," so that the spirit of public welfare can spread further through one small act after another and one touching moment after another.