Giant Spirit
Giant Spirit's mother took a job in a nearby mine, only to be injured seriously in a cave-in. She now walks with a severe limp and is unable to work in the fields or in the mines. She and her husband earn about 1,000 Yuan per year ($125 U.S.) checking villagers' homes, making certain they have turned off their stoves so their homes won't burn down while they're away at work.
Both parents sold blood in the late 1990s to help with the grandfather's medical expenses, but testing assured them they were not infected with HIV as a result.
Today, Giant Spirit is showing signs of a great entrepreneurial talent. He is extremely positive in his attitude about his life and his future. He farms and grows vegetables, some of which he is able to sell to neighbors. A good-hearted person gave him some chicks, so he now also has a small flock of chickens, which supply meat, eggs, feathers and fertilizer for his fields. He is considering purchasing a pig in the near future.
The small-statured young man cooks for his parents, does all the farm work, runs back and forth to school, sings cheerfully, gets highest praise from his school principal and maintains straight-A grades. When asked about the distance between his home and school, he responds that he is becoming a great runner because of his situation. When he hears a comment about how small he is and how fast he runs, he responds quickly with: "Yes, I'm light!" His humor is not only charming. It is also true testimony to the giant spirit that propels this young man's tiny body.
Golden Courage is working with Giant Spirit and his family to provide tuition and lunch money for him and to help the family qualify for disability assistance. We are also seeking other ways to help his parents find additional employment, despite their physical and mental disabilities.