'Nailing' a new building

Updated: 2012-01-19 07:54

By Zhang Xiaomin (China Daily)

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DALIAN, Liaoning - Six years ago, Canadian Kyle MacDonald traded a paper clip for a house through the Internet.

Today, a young Chinese man is trying to swap nails for a building where autistic children can play, learn and find social support.

'Nailing' a new building

Zhou Yong, who volunteers to help autistic people, holds a notice reading "I want to trade a nail for a building" in Dalian, Liaoning province. He hopes to find a building for local autistic children and raise the public's awareness toward autistic people. [Photo/China Daily]

"Most autistic children - who have problems with normal social interaction and communication - do not go to school and are often left home alone," said Zhou Yong.

"Sometimes, the parents have to use tranquillizers to keep them under control," he said.

Within two months, he has traded nails for various items, including a bicycle worth 3,000 yuan ($475), a ceramic bowl from local artist Xing Liangkun and news coverage of his activities by Dalian Radio.

Zhou, 32, a volunteer at the Dalian Charity Foundation in Liaoning province, came up with the idea when he heard a mother complain that a kindergarten refused to enroll her autistic child.

"There are no less than 2,500 autistic children in Dalian but only one special school for them. The 500-square-meter school that can accommodate 50 children is now crammed with more than 100," Zhou told China Daily.

He decided to do something practical and announced a campaign to trade a "nail for a building" on the popular micro-blog site Sina weibo on Oct 17.

The next day he quit his administrative job at a theater to fully commit to trading.

He is hoping to emulate the success of the Internet savvy MacDonald, who through a series of smart trades and persistence of more than one year was able to turn an ordinary red paper clip into a two-story prairie house.

Zhou, however, has a tighter deadline.

"I must make the best use of time and work persistently to find the building before April 2, the fifth World Autism Awareness Day," he tweeted.

He was turned down by dozens of people before a college student gave him four yuan for the nail. He later used the money to buy four paintings by autistic children, which he afterwards bartered for 20 yuan each.

More and more people have come to know about Zhou's big plan, and have offered him donations. As a result, Zhou has had to give out more nails for trades.

Zhou's dream building is three to five stories. It will be a fairyland for local autistic children, with an amusement park, training center, classrooms and facilities to simulate the conditions of real society such as a dining hall and small shop.

Xia Dongmei, a mother of an autistic 18-year-old, said Zhou has brought sunshine to her life.

"Before I met Zhou in December 2010, I seldom took my son out in order to avoid troubles and discrimination," she said. "Zhou encouraged me to join in the activities for autistic children and their parents. I feel really relaxed when communicating with fellow sufferers."

"I used to worry about my son's life after my death. Now, seeing Zhou and many other people caring about us, I see hope. Even if we fail to get the building, I will still be happy," Xia said.

When Wang Lijuan, director of the residents committee of the Minhang community, heard about Zhou's plan, she and her colleagues extended helping hands by distributing stickers advertising the "nail for a building" campaign.

"Walking on the street, when I see a car with the sticker, I feel excited. On the contrary, when I meet any car without it, I just want to paste a sticker on it," Wang laughed.

Zhou's girlfriend Sun Feng, 22, said his parents were disappointed about him quitting his job, but now they get to understand him.

"I don't mind that he doesn't earn money now. He will make it. I have faith in him," she said.

"He is kind to the children. I'm sure he will be good to me."