The family of Han Zhong and Hao Haiyan is filled with love. Why? The members of the family always support each other, and they always remain cool-headed, even when they receive honors or face frustration. They are also grateful for the help they have received from others, and for that reason they devote themselves — with loving care — to charity work.

Growing Up, with Love

Han was born in Datong, a city in north China's Shanxi Province. When he was two years old, his father died in an accident while working in a coal mine. As a result, his mother had to support the family on her own. Although life was tough, Han did not lack love. Also, the local government, schools and enterprises provided special assistance to the family, and neighbors helped them cope with difficulties in their daily life. 

"Both of my parents are heroes in my heart. My father sacrificed his life trying to save a coworker. My mother brought me and my four siblings up. She often told us to be self-reliant and grateful for others' help," Han says. He has never forgotten his mother's words. 

During the four years he spent in the army (1989-1993), Han formed a strong sense of responsibility, and he made up his mind to unswervingly follow the Party (Communist Party of China). After he retired from the army, Han worked as a driver with a subsidiary of Datong Coal Mine Administration. In 2000, the company went out of business, and all of the employees were laid off; as a result, Han had to operate private businesses, including selling toys, transporting coal and running a pharmacy. 

In 2003, Han and his wife, Hao Haiyan, decided to start a garbage-transportation business. They bought five secondhand trucks, and they hired eight people, all of whom had been laid off by other employers. As Han and Hao knew little about the transportation market, and as they lacked business-management experience, they lost more than 100,000 yuan (US $14,085) in the first year. 

"We had to sell two trucks to pay the employees' salaries," Han says. The couple didn't give up. They analyzed their company's problems, and they studied the conditions and rules of the market. Their business gradually improved. 

Dedicated to Charity

As both a retired soldier and a Party member, Han is always willing to serve his fellow countrymen. 

One day, in August 2003, Han met a woman in the office of his former employer's trade union. The woman's child was attending college, but she couldn't afford the tuition. She had to ask the union for help. Han felt sympathetic, and it caused him to think about sponsoring college students from disadvantaged families. Hao was supportive. "At that time, our business was just beginning, and we maybe would have to borrow some money to help the needy students. Still, she encouraged me to do what I wanted to do," Han recalls. 

That year, Han spent 10,000 yuan (US $1,408) to sponsor 14 students. To date, Han and Hao have spent about one million yuan (US $140,845) to sponsor 1,113 students. They have also donated money to support rural revitalization, and to help in-need people in former revolutionary regions. 

Han has been recognized several times for his decades of dedication to charity. He has been named a Good Samaritan of China, a National Model Worker in the Coal Industry, and a Moral Model of Shanxi Province. "During my childhood, I received a lot of help, and my charitable efforts have been recognized by society. Those are why I insist on doing charity work. I think one should do something meaningful in his/her life," says Han. 

Harmony the Key

"Harmony is the most important thing for a family to be happy. When husband and wife are of the same mind, their family has a harmonious atmosphere," Han says. 

Han and Hao have two sons. The couple highlights self-reliance and the spirit of innovation in their family education, and they emphasize that children must learn to observe rules. 

Han and Hao's family was selected a National Most Beautiful Family in 2023. "We are happy to receive this honor. We will live a more harmonious life. Our family precepts are: Be honest and humble; friendly and generous; thrifty and diligent; and, be righteous when pursuing dreams," Han says. 

Han's company now has 800-plus employees, and 100-plus vehicles. It provides trash-transporting services to 1.4 million residents in Datong, Shuozhou and Xinzhou (all in Shanxi). Han has offered jobs to 860 laid-off and migrant workers. 

"Our company has a Party organization, and a trade union, and we have a women's federation, which helps protect women employees' rights and interests. We will keep pace with the times, and we will improve and expand our business. I hope the company will make more contributions to regional development," Han says.

Photos from Interviewees

(Women of China English Monthly August 2024)

Editor: Wang Shasha