Sick China scavenger boy earns US$1.4 a day to help ill uncle captivates 8 million online

Yuan’s father died when he was six. His mother abandoned him the next day.

The boy, whose circumstances have meant he has developed a maturity far beyond his age, said he never blamed his mother, as she “has epilepsy and could not take care of herself well”.

He went to live with his uncle, who is now 65.

After Yuan was diagnosed, both were given beds in the county hospital without having to pay.

A local government staff member said they had covered 280,000 yuan (US$39,000) of the 300,000 yuan total cost for Yuan’s dialysis treatment, which he undergoes three times a week.

Yuan and his uncle could barely survive on the 600-yuan (US$80) monthly subsidy from the local government, which is given to children, the elderly and disabled who do not have families supporting them.

Sometimes they were forced to go on the streets and pick up whatever they can find to sell and make a little extra cash.

One night this month, Yuan was spotted by @Caicai, a Douyin influencer with 1.8 million followers, while picking up rubbish alone.

He told Caicai he earned less than 10 yuan a day from selling bottles he finds.

When asked if his family worried about him working late at night, Yuan said: “I don’t have a family any more.”

He also expressed a desire to play with other children, but said: “I’m afraid I no longer have the opportunity.”

Yuan’s story went viral after Caicai posted it on Douyin, attracting 8 million views on the platform.

Many flocked to Yuan’s account, @Xiaoshoushou, to donate money to the boy. Some also ordered food to be delivered to the hospital.

Caicai said enough money had been raised for the boy’s treatment from the online funds and Yuan said he would soon undergo kidney matching for an organ donation.

“A child of this age should not be so mature. My heart is broken seeing him so well-behaved,” said one online observer.

“He speaks like an adult but looks like a seven-year-old boy,” said another.

“I’m moved by so many kind-hearted people who donated money to him. I wish him all the best,” a third person wrote.