“People often show sympathy when they learn where I come from. ‘Even though I was an orphan and grew up in a welfare institution, I feel lucky that along the way, I have received so much love and help, even more than children from typical families,’ I will tell them.

When it comes to my origin, I heard that I was born in 1990 and lost in a scenic spot of Dianjiang County, Chongqing City when I was two years old. The policemen looked for my parents for a long time but failed to find them, so they took me to a nursing home with more than 20 elderly people and two other children.

Around 2000, the Chongqing Municipal Government issued a policy prohibiting county-level nursing homes from admitting children. So, in 2001, I was replaced in Chongqing CWI, together with the caregiver who had been taking care of me in the nursing home.

The CWI was totally strange to me. But its administrators had faith in me and often encouraged me. Well, I tried my best in everything I did and thought I would have a promising future. 

In the summer of 2001, I was enrolled in the Loving Family Program (the name was changed into Chunhui Family Program in 2009). Since then, I had a loving family, foster parents and siblings of my own. From 2009 to 2013, I always lived with that family and grew up under the nurturing care of mama Liu.

When I was in middle school, except the third year of senior high school, mama Liu prepared my breakfast before 5-6 am and dinner even after I went back from school at 9-10 pm every day. I think Chunhui mamas are great. Now I have two children myself, and I don’t think I can care for them as well as mama Liu did me.

In addition, mama Liu gave extra attention to our emotions. When I failed in academic examinations, she would say to me: ‘It’s ok. Just find out the problems, solve them and you will do better next time.’

Occasionally, I wondered why my birth parents never came to me. Why did they abandon me? At those moments, mama Liu seemed to read my mind and said: ‘Don’t be upset. You are an orphanage child, but you are no different from those of typical families.’ Those words motivated me. I realized that so many people loved and cared about me, and I wouldn’t let them down.

Chunhui Children spared no efforts to help its program children broaden their vision and develop their potentials. I remember I was good at writing and served as the foundation’s little journalist. In 2009, I was admitted by Chongqing University of Technology. During my college years, I often helped Chunhui Children edit its newsletter Chunhui Youths. I was also invited to visit its office in Beijing and tour around the city. 

As time went by, I grew into a confident adult. During my summer and winter vacations, I worked part time as a private instructor, shop assistant and restaurant waiter…… With the money I earned, I acquired my Designer Certificate. 

In 2013, I graduated from university. Then I got married, had children, and was promoted as assistant of my general manager. In 2022, I led a program with a fund of millions of Yuan RMB. 

I have always kept in touch with mama Liu, the welfare institution, and Chunhui Children. I take them as my family. Every year, I donate 2,000 yuan to Chunhui Children. I also donate on each “Sept 9 Giving Day”. A few years ago, my company joined in philanthropy, and as I requested, it donated 20,000 yuan to a child welfare institution. My colleagues and I often visit the elderly who are deprived of their loved ones and left alone in the world.

All along the way, with so many caring people around me, I have learned to love and give.