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Zhou Shangping was, by all means, an ordinary worker at a construction company in Beijing. Eight years into his career there, he was given a shoe-fixing toolkit. This small addition to his life turned into a brand new chapter of his story, when he utilized the toolkit not only for himself, but for the people around him.
Throughout his 27 years at the company, Zhou didn't just repair his fellow workers' shoes. He was also an active participant in the Union's community service projects, and contributed a week of his time to the Asian Olympics.
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Zhou giving a haircut. [Photo/bjby.bjwmb.gov.cn] |
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Zhou is on his third shoe-repair machine, the rest having been worn out from use.[Photo/bjby.bjwmb.gov.cn] |
"I get that heartwarming feeling just by knowing I can help others,” he says. The work he does isn't monumental, but it doesn't take much to make an individual's day brighter.
Even after retirement in 1992, Zhou continued his community service work in his hometown: repairing shoes and zippers, grinding scissors and kitchen knives, even working as a barber.
He does it all for free.
One time in November 2013, a fierce blizzard hit Yangqing, where Zhou lived. Just as his folks were commenting on how he couldn't go to repair shoes, the old man appeared, preparing his tools for the day.
"I think I can keep doing this for another ten years, until I can't do it anymore. Then I can finally rest and say I spent my whole life helping society.”
Now, Zhou is beginning to feel the pains of old age, riddled with arthritis and leg pains. Nonetheless, he is still pedaling down to work every day. The townsfolk are always grateful for what he does, but now they look at him with great pain in their eyes.
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Zhou and his followers. [Photo/bjby.bjwmb.gov.cn] |
Zhou is now passing down his art and knowledge to a few followers. As one of his remaining wishes, he hopes to continue a legacy of kindness and benevolence.
Over 40 years, Zhou has volunteered 31,500 hours of his time — 3.6 years from end to end — and has aided about 30,000 people.
Edited by Wang Zili
