Entrepreneur leads 40,000 out of poverty in 18 years through education

Yang Guoqiang is a private entrepreneur and founder of Country Garden. He has invested a total of 900 million yuan in the past 18 years to set up free high schools and junior colleges. His schools are the only all-free, philanthropic educational institutions in China. More than 40,000 have benefited from them and overcome poverty.

Yang was born in a poor farmers’ family in Shunde, Guangdong Province. He never owned a pair of shoes until age 17. When he nearly dropped out of school due to poverty, the local government waived his tuition, which was 7 yuan per semester at the time, and gave him a grant of 2 yuan per semester to help him finish high school. Yang deeply felt the importance of education, for he realized education was the cure for poverty. Later, as a successful businessman, he began to focus on poverty alleviation through education.

“I benefited from the opening up and reform, generous help from the public, knowledge and education. I’ve gone through hardships and realized the importance of knowledge. It could change one’s life. It’s the best weapon to eradicate poverty. Knowledge can rewrite a person’s, or even a nation’s fortune.” Yang said.

In 1997, Yang donated 1 million yuan anonymously to set up the Zhongming Scholarship, which supported poor college students. Over the past 18 years he has helped more than 8,000 students with his donations. In 2002, he contributed 260 million yuan to found the Guohua Memorial Middle School, admitting students from poor families for free and financially supporting their educational pursuits until as advanced as doctorate studies. In 2013, he contributed another 350 million yuan to found the Guangdong Country Garden Polytechnic. Students not only had their tuition fees waivered, but also received living allowances.

Other than setting up educational institutions, Yang is also dedicated to setting educational and skills training programs. In 2012 Yang decided to set up a vocational training program in Shuitou Town, fogang County, Qingyuan City to help villagers learn techniques. The program has so far provided free training to 16,469 people, 8,150 of whom have obtained professional qualification certificates as forklift drivers, electricians and home nurses, and through recommendations 3,828 have found employment in urban areas.

Yang believes it’s important to not hurt one’s pride when helping people overcome poverty. He hopes through education students can develop dignity and a willing spirit to pay back to society. According to Ji Dehua, principal of Guohua Memorial Middle School, Yang hosts regular talks with his students, and every time the entrepreneur stresses that as Guohua students, they should always remember to pay back to society, and consider it their lifelong goal. The 2,300 students have all participated in public welfare activities after graduation.

When Yang set up the Zhongming Scholarship, he stressed the morality principle of the grant, asking all recipients of the scholarship to promise to pay back the money or help others when they can, as a way to join the contributing cycle. Influenced by Yang’s spirit, more and more Zhongming recipients have devoted time and money to public welfare activities. Liu Guoxing founded the Songxiuqin Scholarship, Fan Shaoqin founded the United Scholarship, and Zhang Fujian led thousands of Zhongming volunteers to serve communities and pass on the kindness.

Poverty alleviation through education requires huge input. It doesn’t pay back until much later as education takes a long time. However, the result is prominent. One person out of poverty can help his or her entire family overcome poverty, and make sure the next generation can do better. It’s beneficial not only to the individual, but also the family and society. Yang has become more convinced after helping more than 40,000 people in 18 years. “Poverty alleviation through education is an investment, it helps the poor learn knowledge and master skills, which they need to overcome poverty and become better off. Education is the cure of poverty.” Yang said.

For the past three consecutive years Yang has submitted proposals to strengthen vocation training during the annual Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, calling for more effort in poverty alleviation through education. He suggests offering package service to poverty alleviation programs, supporting private enterprises to set up vocational-technical schools, supporting enterprises to provide short term free training to the poor population, and promoting technical skill trainings in townships with local government offering financial subsidies.

Yang said, “The wealth I have gained is what society has allowed me and I’m merely managing the money for the public. It’s a normal and natural thing to do to help others now I’ve gained the ability. I’m only doing what I should. I’ve always believed a man’s quality is his most important attribute. Poverty alleviation through education allows the poor to master a skill to make their own fortune.”