China Scene: East

Neighbors mourn loss of kindhearted foster mom

A group of neighbors and some 200 handicapped people recently visited the home of the late Zhang Yuxiu, who died at the age of 79 in Xuzhou, Jiangsu province, on March 13.

The gathered mourners were there to express their condolences and their appreciation for Zhang's support of orphaned children.

One winter evening 18 years ago, Zhang found a handicapped baby deserted near a supermarket. Fearing the baby would suffer from the biting cold, Zhang took him home. To treat his handicapped legs, Zhang visited five cities in different parts of the country. After three operations, the boy was able to walk.

Then, in 1993, Zhang found a handicapped baby girl on her way home. Again, Zhang ensured that the girl received the treatment she needed to live a normal life. Her kindness inspired two people to abandon their unwanted children outside her door. Zhang adopted them.

Before her death, Zhang asked her own daughter, Zheng Yongjing, to bring up the four children she had adopted. Zheng agreed to do so.

(Yangtze Evening News)

Near suicide elicits pledge to stop beatings

On her way home on the morning of March 16, Zhang Mengyun, a 15-year-old girl in Fuzhou, Fujian province, saw Xiao Hong, a 13-year-old girl weeping below the building where her family lives.

When Zhang asked why she wept, Xiao said she had been beaten by her father and then ran off. Fearing Xiao should do something silly, Zhang followed her to the top of a 31-story building. Xiao told Zhang she wanted to commit suicide to escape the constant abuse she endured at home.

After talking with Xiao, Zhang succeeded in talking her away from the edge of the building and police sent Xiao home. Xiao's father was terrified by her suicide attempt and promised not to beat her again.

(Southeast Express)

(China Daily 03/27/2008 page6)