“How old are you this year?” a cheerful volunteer asked.
“I’m 24,” came the playful response.
“Wow, you must be getting younger every year!”
“Haha, actually, I’m 98!”
Laughter filled Tongxin Bridge Village in the Beihu District of Chenzhou, Hunan, as volunteers conducted routine health checks for the village’s elderly residents.
With the Double Ninth Festival approaching, more than 200 volunteers in Tongxin Bridge were busy preparing for the celebration. They organized festive activities, helped elderly residents with household chores, checked their health, and shared light-hearted banter, visiting each home to bring smiles to the seniors.
“Tongxin Bridge Village has always upheld the tradition of respecting our elders and nurturing the young,” said Chen Liangqing, the village’s Party Secretary and Committee Director. “In the last decade, as urbanization has accelerated, our village, situated at the urban-rural fringe, has seen tremendous changes. Our collective economy has flourished, improving the wealth of many villagers. After discussions, we decided to invest in initiatives that enhance the sense of fulfillment for our senior citizens and support youth development.”
Each year, villagers aged 60 and over receive a stipend of 800 yuan, while those over 90 get 1,300 yuan. The village also offers job opportunities to retired veterans who have served the nation, providing them with an annual stipend of 800 yuan. Support is available for students from low-income families, and villagers’ college-bound children receive awards ranging from 5,000 to 100,000 yuan based on their achievements. Over the past decade, Tongxin Bridge has distributed nearly 3 million yuan in funds for elderly subsidies, scholarships, and veteran support.
This initiative has inspired the younger generation, including Cao Lijuan, a member of the village Party Committee. Having previously benefited from funding, she returned to the village as a community center staff member after working in a good job in Guangzhou.
“Most graduates tend to find jobs outside the village, but many are willing to return if there’s a need,” Cao observed. “Those of us who received support from the village carry a sense of gratitude and stay engaged with village affairs. During a recent survey for a talent pool, many who are currently working elsewhere expressed a desire to return and contribute to the village.”
Today, Tongxin Bridge Village thrives on neighborly support, with a model where residents stay in touch during quiet times, discuss necessary matters, and help each other during hardships. Under the leadership of the village Party organization, nine volunteer service teams have been established, focusing on various aspects of life like law, health, and environmental protection. These teams actively support both new and longtime residents, fostering harmony through volunteerism.
“The motto, ‘we keep in touch when there’s nothing going on, discuss matters when necessary, and help each other in times of need,’ reflects the villagers’ appreciation for traditional Chinese values,” said Qin Peikai, Secretary of the Beihu Street Party Working Committee. “In this atmosphere of mutual goodwill, more villagers are getting involved in public welfare initiatives, participating in activities like blood donations and charitable contributions. Tongxin Bridge has even been recognized as a ‘Civilized Village and Town’ in Hunan Province and the first ‘Blood Donation Love Village’ in Chenzhou. During the heavy rains in Zixing on July 26, villagers raised nearly 47,000 yuan in just one day for relief efforts.”
