The Rickshaw Driver Who Sent 300 Children to School

In the bustling streets of Tianjin, China, where traffic buzzes and lives rush past each other, one man quietly rewrote the meaning of generosity. Bai Fangli, a humble rickshaw driver, lived a life of simplicity — but his heart carried a mission far greater than himself.

At age 74, Bai had planned to retire and return to his rural hometown. But on his journey back, he saw children working in the fields, their faces sunburned and weary. When he learned they had dropped out of school because their families couldn’t afford tuition, something shifted inside him.

He turned around and went back to Tianjin.

For the next 18 years, Bai pedaled his rickshaw through rain, heat, and exhaustion. He lived in a tiny shack near the railway station, ate frugally, and wore secondhand clothes. Every yuan he earned — nearly 350,000 in total — he donated to fund the education of over 300 children.

He never sought recognition. He never asked for help. He simply believed that every child deserved a chance to learn.

Bai Fangli passed away in 2005 at the age of 92, leaving behind no fortune, no monuments — only a legacy richer than gold. Schools he supported still remember him. Students he helped have gone on to become teachers, doctors, and engineers. His story continues to inspire millions across the world.

In a time when wealth is often measured in possessions, Bai Fangli showed us that true richness lies in compassion. He didn’t just send children to school — he gave them futures.