Over 3,000 citizens in Kunming hike to raise nearly 1.6 million yuan in student aid funds

 

This was a "charity sports event." Originally planning to recruit 2,000 people, 3,198 showed up. These "athletes" arrived at the finish line on foot or by bike, after which corporate sponsors tallied the participants and donated 500 yuan per person in their name to support impoverished students. A total of 1.599 million yuan in student aid funds were donated that day.

Yesterday, the "Health Supports Love – First Colorful Yunnan Student Aid Fund" health and education public welfare activity, hosted by the Yunnan Provincial Glorious Cause Promotion Association and Kunming Nuskin Da Enterprise (Group) Co., Ltd., and organized by Colorful Yunnan No.1 City, was enthusiastically held in Kunming and received widespread praise. Many citizens expressed hope for more such public welfare activities combining health and charity in the future.

Yesterday’s public welfare activity used two low-carbon, healthy modes of exercise—"outdoor hiking" and "outdoor cycling"—to create an inclusive platform for student aid charity. The "outdoor hiking" route started from the second phase square of Luosiwan, went along Caiyun Road, and ended at Colorful Yunnan No.1 City in Chenggong New Town, covering a distance of 10 kilometers; the "outdoor cycling" route started from South Asia Style No.1 City on Dianchi Road, traveled along the lakeside road, and arrived at Colorful Yunnan No.1 City in Chenggong New Town, spanning 30 kilometers. Whether cycling or walking, reaching the finish line meant raising 500 yuan in student aid funds for underprivileged students. This sum was donated in the name of each full participant by Colorful Yunnan No.1 City.

"Every step you take is a accumulation of love; support love in a healthy way." From 8:30 am yesterday until noon, both routes were filled with love and warmth, touching every participant and passerby. According to final statistics from the organizers, a total of 3,198 people took part, including both cycling and hiking groups, and 1.599 million yuan in student aid funds were raised that day. In addition, Nuskin Da Group donated another 2 million yuan in scholarships, continuing its mission that "love is the responsibility of enterprises." With this, this year’s "Colorful Yunnan Student Aid Fund" has reached 3.599 million yuan. This means more impoverished students will benefit this year.

According to the event organizer from Nuskin Da Group, the donated funds were presented at the donation ceremony by Nuskin Da Group, Colorful Yunnan No.1 City, and caring individuals. This "Colorful Yunnan Student Aid Fund" will be used through the account of the Yunnan Provincial Glorious Cause Promotion Association to help underprivileged students realize their dreams of education and life when new students enroll at the end of August this year.

On-site highlights

At the event site, many faces were moving. Among them were elderly people in their eighties, toddlers just learning to speak, young couples holding hands, and "little chubby" participants challenging themselves. In addition, many cycling enthusiasts, local high school and university students, office workers, and civil servants formed teams specifically to advance toward the goal of healthy student aid. Evening news reporters learned that the oldest participant was 89 years old, and the youngest just two years and three months old.

It is worth mentioning that despite the large number of participants, there was almost no litter along the route or at the event site. Especially along the way, even a drink bottle or tissue would be carried several kilometers to a trash can before being discarded. Among them, volunteers composed of former aided students each carried an eco-friendly bag and picked up litter they encountered along the way.
Most grateful

Without the funding provided by Nuskin Da Group, Xiao He, a senior at Yunnan Normal University, can hardly imagine her future. Joining the "main group," she hiked the full 10 kilometers. As one of hundreds of aided student representatives, Xiao He also shared her personal journey, becoming emotional and choking up several times during her speech.

Coming from a remote rural area in Nujiang, Xiao He lost her mother at a young age and her father left home... but she was never defeated by life’s hardships. In 2009, Xiao He was admitted to the School of Foreign Languages at Yunnan Normal University with excellent grades. When worried about tuition fees, she unexpectedly received a scholarship from Nuskin Da Group, enabling her to attend university. "I deeply understand that knowledge changes fate. This funding was a lifeline for me, and now I hope to help others with my own strength." Upon reaching the finish line and receiving a certificate representing 500 yuan in goodwill, Xiao He was so excited she almost jumped.

Among the sea of cyclists, 77-year-old Wang Cixiang, with his white hair, stood out. This was not only because of his outfit—a small red flag, red hat, wool knee pads, white Warrior shoes, and a Forever bicycle—but also because of his determination to persevere without giving up.

This is a bicycle older than many riders present, bought by Wang Cixiang in 1970 for 181 yuan. Despite being 43 years old, it still looks as shiny as ever due to careful maintenance. "It rides very well, has barely broken down." Along the way, Wang Cixiang occasionally rang the bell on the front right, the sound crisp and clear, with the little red flag fluttering behind him, his face radiating youthful energy. Wang Cixiang said the purpose of this ride was for public welfare student aid—helping students from struggling families while also getting exercise, which is very meaningful. "This distance is only 30 kilometers, not intense at all. The farthest I’ve ridden is 180 kilometers. I’m still young and can keep riding for many more years!"

Who says kids these days can’t endure hardship? That’s a prejudice. Jiang Shangrong, a 10-year-old fifth grader at the Affiliated Primary School of Yunnan Normal University, made it to the finish line.

Having cycled such a long distance for the first time, Jiang Shangrong found it somewhat tough. Halfway through, he experienced soreness in his waist and legs, his feet went weak, and he became breathless, feeling very uncomfortable and even wanting to give up halfway. "I felt I couldn’t cycle anymore, but my dad kept encouraging me, saying 'You can do it.' Then I thought, if I just reach the finish line, I can raise 500 yuan for a poor child, so I persevered." When he reached the finish line, many people applauded the resilient youngster. Receiving the certificate of goodwill, Jiang Shangrong was very excited. "This is the most meaningful certificate I’ve ever received."

Chen, a 65-year-old resident, arrived at the hiking starting point early in the morning with her son, daughter-in-law, grandson, and three other family members, kicking off a family effort. By the end of the morning, the family had raised 2,500 yuan for student aid, which left her very excited.

“I’m older now and don’t have much money. If you asked me to personally donate 500 yuan for charity, I might not be able to. But through this healthy, charitable hiking event, I can contribute. I do the work, the companies provide the funds — it’s my way of showing spiritual support for those underprivileged students!” Chen lives in Yinhai Forest residential community in Guandu District. She has been walking regularly to exercise for many years and has always enjoyed good health. For this 10-kilometer hike, she treated it like a leisurely stroll and walked slowly to the finish line.

Yang Yege, an 86-year-old who participated in the long-distance hike, was taking part in a public welfare event like this for the first time. Despite his advanced age, he persevered and completed the entire course, staying visibly moved throughout. “Activities like this allow me to stay fit while also helping children — they’re very meaningful.” In addition, three other octogenarians made a pact to walk together and all reached the endpoint, unanimously calling it “the most meaningful walk of their lives.”

Yesterday’s event saw Dad Wang bring along his two-year-and-three-month-old child. The toddler sat in a stroller while Wang pushed it along the way. He said, “The scenery along the route was great, and I also got to witness the tremendous changes in Chenggong New Town. Most importantly, we managed to raise 500 yuan in scholarship funds for underprivileged students — it’s been an incredibly rewarding experience.”

Since its establishment, Nusign Group has been driven by the dream of “serving the country through industry.” While developing its own business, the group has never forgotten to give back to and contribute to society. The “Colorful Yunnan Student Aid Fund” is a special public welfare fund created in 2009 by Nusign Group with the support of the Yunnan Provincial Guangcai (Glorious) Cause Promotion Association. The fund allocates two million yuan annually to assist impoverished Yunnan students admitted to universities and vocational schools, enabling them to complete their education. Over four years, it has supported 264 undergraduates, 96 junior college students, and 182 vocational school students.

Ren Jianzheng, Chairman of the Board and President of Nusign Group, said that over the past few years of student aid activities, they continuously encountered compassionate individuals who wished to join the “Colorful Yunnan Student Aid Fund” platform. Some students who benefited from the fund also expressed that although they needed corporate charity to complete their studies due to financial hardships, they weren’t content with merely “being helped.” They hoped to actively contribute to charity themselves and assist other students in need.

“It was precisely inspired by such care and support from all sectors of society that we hope to transform the ‘Colorful Yunnan Student Aid Fund’ into a broader platform for aiding students. It will not only help underprivileged students realize their educational dreams but also enable people from all walks of life with goodwill to fulfill their own philanthropic aspirations,” said Ren Jianzheng. This event aimed to encourage more compassionate citizens to engage in public charity through healthy and civilized fitness activities. While promoting a new low-carbon, environmentally friendly, healthy, and civilized lifestyle, it also helped more students achieve their dreams of study, career, and life. “Thank you to all the compassionate participants for your efforts and warmth. Because of you, these 500 yuan carry deeper commemorative significance.”

As the organizer of the event, Colorful Yunnan No.1 City is a brand-new high-end urban complex and key landmark in Chenggong New District. It donated a total of 1.599 million yuan in student aid funds for this event. The approach of “supporting charity through fitness” sparked a wave of public welfare enthusiasm across Kunming.

Setting the event’s endpoint in Chenggong New Town aimed to let more people learn about and experience the new town and embrace a low-carbon, green lifestyle. Officials from Colorful Yunnan No.1 City stated that hosting this public welfare event was mainly about advocating both love-driven student aid and a healthy, civilized, and environmentally friendly way of living. “We aim to guide people to change their previous habits of ‘eating barbecue at night and sleeping in late in the morning,’ and instead enjoy a sunlit life.”