File photo shows Du Haiying, an orphan from southwest China's Guizhou Province, and her four "fathers." (Xinhua/Ou Dongqu)
GUIYANG, Oct. 4 (Xinhua) -- As a freshman in college, Du Haiying, 18, found everything on campus exciting and could not wait to share it with her "family."
Du was born into a poor family in Leiba Village in southwest China's Guizhou Province. Her mother died of illness when she was only four months old, and her father was killed in an accident when she was four. She and her elder brother depended on their grandfather.
The three lived next to a cowshed, and made a hard living by growing vegetables and collecting herbs.
In the spring of 2009, Dong Jun, a policewoman, and her four colleagues with the public security bureau of Changshun County were sent to deliver water to drought-hit Leiba Village. They met Du in the local school and learned about her hardships from a teacher.
Dong and Tian Weichun, a policeman, paid a visit to Du's home and were shocked by the desperation of the family -- not a single piece of decent furniture in sight. Tian recalled two pots on the stove, one having some leftovers in it, and the other with some stale vegetables.
Tian made up his mind to do something for the family, and his thinking was echoed by his colleagues. They asked the school teachers to recommend those most in need. Thirteen children were soon paired up with police officers at the bureau.
Du has four "fathers" and one "auntie." Dong gave the "operation" a nickname -- Baby Plan, saying that every child should be cherished as one's own.
The four had a new house built at their own expense for Du's family. In addition, they also filed for subsistence allowances for Du's grandfather, and orphan subsidies for Du and her brother.
The family moved into the new house in March 2012. For the first time in Du's life, she owned her own bed and desk.
Dong and her colleagues even pooled funds to add furniture and appliances such as a sofa, bedding and a washing machine.
In 2015, Du graduated from primary school and was admitted by a county middle school. Her four "fathers" would take her out to eat or go shopping during weekends and holidays from time to time. They cared deeply about her school life and studies.
Tian said Du used to be a very shy girl who did not talk with her classmates.
"We wanted her to be confident and brave," Tian said.
On June 8, the last day of this year's national college entrance examination, also known as the Gaokao, Du's second family waited outside the exam site.
"Almost all parents go to pick up their children after the examination. We wouldn't miss this moment," said Dong.
Du scored 502 out of 750, a stellar result that ensured she could attend a good university. The entire family was overjoyed.
In the following days, Tian couldn't help showing off to his friends that his "baby daughter" had done well in the Gaokao.
Du was admitted by Zunyi Medical University, majoring in clinical medicine. She received the admission notice letter on Aug. 2 and went straight to the police bureau. She wanted to share her joy with her "dads" and "auntie."
"That was the first time in my life to open a university admission notice," said Tian, jokingly and also proudly.
According to Tian, 35 impoverished rural children received help from the "Baby Plan" from 2009 to 2014, some of them were admitted to colleges while others have found stable jobs.
"Since China launched the poverty alleviation program in an all-round way, the living and study conditions of rural children have been greatly improved. Some of them were even relocated to cities. No children have since been included in the 'Baby Plan'," he added. ■