Love Fund in Tianfu Village

Tianfu Village ( literally "the Heavenly Blessed Village" ), Lezhi County , August 2006

A Heifer project team visited Tianfu Village and was staggered by the severely parched land. Grandpa He was leading two goats and trudging through the path between rice paddies. He saw no hope for a good harvest this year. Both legs disabled, he was able to find no way out except that he wants to take a good care of these two goats, the only property of his family.

At Lao Wang's Courtyard, March 2007

Villagers sat together chuckling and chit-chatting at Lao Wang's courtyard. At the door of Lao Wang's house hang a red banner which read "the Ninth Training of Heifer Project Tianfu Community." We then knew that it was their ninth major get-together since their project started half a year ago.

They were indulged with one compelling urge. " Why don't we help those nearby who are more in need of help when good people from afar have donated to help us? " They were determined to build a fund to help grandpa He, with donations from among themselves.

There was a small box on a table at the center of the courtyard. The villagers were putting money into the box one after another. "one yuan, two yuan, five yuan…" Nobody was rich, but everybody was doing what they could.

Teacher Goat reached into the inner pocket of his clothes and took out a pile of cash notes, which looked old but tidy. They were in different amount and might be considered 'small changes' by urban residents. Teacher Goat's family name is liu. But the villagers have called him "Teach Goat" ever since he got involved with goat rearing in the village. Studying the stack of money, Teach Goat pulled out two notes of the biggest amount…

We all knew that Teacher Goat's family was quite poor—not in the least in a better situation than grandpa He—a shabby muddy wall house, simple and obsolete furniture, patched clothes…but, at that very moment, he was rich in the heart.

"support the elderly of my own as well as of others, take care of the young of my own and others." They may not be able to quote this soothing, ancient saying, but they were able to keep the traditional virtues of China , and manifest Heifer's self-helping spirit of sharing and caring.

April 2007, postscript

With everybody's help, grandpa He built a brick house of two rooms. The community Fund of Love has been saved in a special bank account to serve other villagers in need of help. The loving heart is to continue from this point onward…

(By Xu Xiaoyan)