A woman dyeing to help

Liu recalls that, at first sight, the students saw her and pulled her toward a hill, telling her: "Sister Liu, our wild fruit are ripe, have a taste!" They saw the fruit as a special treat for Liu.

"They were so enthusiastic," Liu says, adding that she couldn't forget their earnest hospitality and gratitude.

She stayed there for 10 days, either giving lessons to the children, or paying visits to their homes.

"Those trips to Guizhou affected me deeply," she says, adding that she didn't realize how much her help would make them happy.

Liu's journey to help children in need has continued since then. Most of her income has been used to help poor children in rural areas of Guizhou, as well as other provinces, such as Sichuan, Shanxi, Yunnan and Gansu.

Since 2012, she has taken more than 20 trips to these places, and her accumulated travel has exceeded 200,000 kilometers. More than 3,000 children have received her help.

"Gradually, I found that more people need help. However, my own ability to do so is limited."

Liu started to share what she saw and experienced on social media, which has moved many of her friends and people she doesn't even know.

Even more people started to join her initiative, either accompanying her on visits to the rural areas, or by donating money and useful items via Liu.

Su Jing, 44, was a customer at the hair salon. After hearing about Liu's generosity, she decided to join her. In May 2013, they went to a primary school in Gan'gu county in Gansu together, taking gifts for some students there.

"I saw them attend classes in a cave, because the classrooms at their school were dilapidated," Su recalls. "I felt so sad for them, and decided to donate money to help them build a new school." Her promise has been kept and students there are now enjoying classes in a brand new schoolhouse.

"I finally understood why Liu has continued doing good deeds for these children. You cannot see them suffer and do nothing," Su, says.

With many people like Su supporting her, following a car accident in 2019 that sapped her strength and prompted her to return home, in 2020, Liu opened a hot pot restaurant with her husband in her hometown.

"With more free time, I will continue my journey. It is in aid of a worthwhile cause."