One mum and her 103 adopted children

Four adopted children play with each other in the home. [Photo/sina.com]

From a millionaire to a "poor" mum

In 1985, Li married a man who is now her ex-husband when she was only 16 years old. She gave birth to a boy in the following year, and then started her own business, becoming a millionaire in her twenties.

However, her happy life didn't last long. She was involved in a serious traffic accident, and, when she left hospital, she found all the wealth she had was misused by her ex-husband to buy drugs. What's worse was that he had even sold their son to human traffickers, so as to earn more money for drugs.

In order to save her son, Li spent more money and "bought" her son back. After that, she vowed to save as many children as possible, because she didn't want any child to be homeless.

In the same year when she found out about her cancer, she sold her luxury house and built Village Care. Although she only hires a few people to help her, the construction and daily operation of the village still cost all her money, pushing her to borrow heavily from friends and relatives.

To be useful when grow up

During these years, Li also received lots of donations and help from strangers. She expressed her deep appreciation about all the help coming from different places across the country.

Some of her adopted daughters like to take one or two children with them when they get married and leave the village, so they can help their "mother" look after the little ones. It has already become an unspoken promise, because in their hearts, they are all siblings.

On the way to school every morning, Li always teaches her children to read and recite classical Chinese poems, and encourages them to study well. She hopes all of her children could become someone useful when they grow up.

"For example, I wish one of my adopted children will become a spacecraft designer to serve the country's aerospace industry in future," said Li.