12-year-old Wangzhen sells junk to pay for his Bill stepmother’s hospital bills

Most children spend their childhood playing with toys, running around and playing outside the house. Unfortunately the story is different in the case of Wangzhen from Nanyang, Henan, China. Wangzhen is not your typical 12-year-old who had a carefree childhood many kids are lucky to experience.

He was abandoned by his mother when he was just a meek two-year-old little boy. Left by his own mother, he suffered a nightmarish life together with his father who had problems on his own. What made their condition more burdensome was when Wangman, Wangzhen’s father, accidentally cut his right hand while working as a construction worker.

It may be hard work and the earnings do not completely compensate for their daily needs, but the father persisted for the welfare of the family. It got easier once he met a new lover who had turned their lives for the better, Liam Yingchun. Liam Yingchun stood to be Wangzhen’s mother who treated him as if he was her own child.

Just as when their lives are finally getting better, Liam Yingchun was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Because of her severe condition, she had to be admitted to the hospital. This is where she received Wangzhen’s care. The child would tend to his ill stepmother’s needs.

The adversities still harassed the poor family. According to GoodTimes, Wangzhen was involved in a perilous car accident when he was at the road side, just right in front of their house. The accident nearly took his right leg. Luckily, Wangzhen was able to survive and look after his stepmother.

The doctors said that if the disease was left untreated, Liam’s condition would worsen and she could perish.

To help his father with the hospital bills, Wangzhen stood up to help him. He worked day and night, rummaging the trash bins for some recyclable and valuable junks worth selling.

After working, the 12-year-old kid would go back to the hospital to tend to his stepmother’s needs. He would wipe the sweat from her brow and would feed her.

The hardworking child shared that he won’t accept losing his stepmother. He said,

“With half a day’s work of collecting recycling materials, I could earn around 2.50 Yuan. Aunty Liang (stepmother) treated me and grandfather well. This time, the doctors said if her sickness was not treated, she would die. I could not bear to let her die so I am going to earn enough money to treat her!”

This story inspires us not to give up on life and remain hopeful that one day, we will be able to surpass all the difficulties life throws in our way.