In 1987, 74-year-old Bai Fangli, a humble rickshaw driver, returned home to retire after decades of hard work. But when he saw children toiling in the fields, unable to attend school because their families couldn’t afford the fees, something inside him stirred. His own rest could wait.

Instead of settling into a quiet retirement, Bai returned to Tianjin. He rented a tiny room, ate the simplest meals, and wore hand-me-down clothes. He worked day and night, using his rickshaw to transport passengers, all while living a life of self-imposed austerity. Every penny he earned went toward paying the school fees for children in need.

For nearly two decades, Bai gave everything. His sacrifice became his mission. In 2001, at almost 90 years old, Bai made his final donation. He told the students, “My body can no longer endure,” but his spirit had done more than endure—it had transformed lives. By the time he could no longer continue, he had donated 350,000 yuan—a sum that had sent over 300 children to school, providing them with the chance to break free from the cycle of poverty.

Bai passed away in 2005. He left no wealth behind, no grand inheritance—only the legacy of opportunity, dignity, and hope. His life is a testament to the power of selflessness and the profound impact one person can have.

 If a man with nothing but a rickshaw could change the lives of 300 children, imagine what we could do with the resources we have. The potential for good is endless—sometimes, it just takes one person with a heart full of compassion to make all the difference.