Lin Hongyan is a taxi driver from Shenyang of Northeast China's Liaoning Province. But what makes her special is that she has been supporting a total of eighteen orphans for the past fifteen years.
Lin recalls her encounter with the first of her children.
"I was driving, and the cry of a baby came from a nearby dustbin. That was her, wrapped in a quilt. I held her in my arms, and she soon stopped crying. Suddenly, I felt my responsibility to help her. That's how my story with these children began. "
Lin Hongyan herself had a hard childhood. Her parents passed away when she was very young. As she graduated from senior middle school, her elder brother and his wife, the only relatives that Lin could rely on, both died from gas-poisoning. They left two kids behind, a three-year-old boy and a one-month-old baby girl.
Lin says it was the beginning of a hard time. To raise the kids, Lin Hongyan took on various jobs. She worked in a food factory and even tried to run a small restaurant. Back then, her neighbors also helped by providing her with daily essentials like milk powder and clothes. They even volunteered to babysit the kids when Lin was busy working.
By 1992, Lin Hongyan had become the president of a taxi company which ran 16 taxis. After gaining more financial security, she was able to help more children. In her own words, it was from other people's support that she gained the power to stand up to the difficulties she encountered, and in return, she felt she should pass on the warmth to more needy people.
So far, Lin Hongyan has helped a total of 18 orphans. She devotes herself to looking after her children. She once sold her car and her home to support their further study.
Du Ying is one of them. Du lost her parents when she was little, and lived with her grandma. Six years ago, Du Ying faced having to drop-out from school as she couldn't afford the tuition. Thanks to Lin, Du continued her study. Now Du Ying calls Lin Hongyan, 'mom'.
"Mom works very hard everyday. And after work, she takes on all the housework. I'm so grateful to her. "
Today, seven of Lin Hongyan's children are still receiving education in school. 43-year-old Lin works very hard to support their study. She manages the taxi company during the daytime, and continues to work as a taxi driver from 6pm to 2am each day. She has done that for the past 11 years.
But Lin Hongyan has never considered her children a burden. She always says that the luckiest thing in her life was to meet her lovely kids. Her fatigue and worries ease as soon as she sees her children.
Now, six of her children have received a college education, while two have joined the army.
"Two of my children now serve in the army. Five graduated from colleges. And three have married. I'm already a grandma!"
From time to time, Lin's married sons and daughters visit her. They bring her gifts, daily necessities, and help Lin with housework.
Lin Hongyan talks about her plans for the future.
"I hope what I did over the years has extended love and warmth to more people. My biggest wish is to establish a school for these orphans, and help them receive a better education."
For Life in China, this is Liu Yan.
