Mother travels 1,000 km to witness son's moment of honor

(ECNS) -- A 52-year-old mother has left her hometown in the remote mountains of Daliangshan in southwest China’s Sichuan for the first time to witness her son’s honor moment on Thursday.

Her son, Su Zhengmin, was cited for good morality by Zhongnan University of Economics and Law in Wuhan, Hubei Province.

It was not easy for the mother to travel more than 1,000 kilometers from Liangshan to Wuhan.

“This is the first time that mom and I have traveled by plane,” said Su’s younger sister, a college student at Southwest Medical University.

Su Zhengmin was born in a remote township in Liangshan Yi Autonomous Prefecture and suffered family misfortune when he was young. At the age of 15, the boy lost his father who died of constant overwork, and he chose to quit school due to the family’s financial situation.

Su eventually returned to school with the help of the local government and people. He was enrolled in Zhongnan University of Economics and Law in 2017, becoming the first student in the township to be admitted to a key university in China.

Su launched an education support plan to help students experiencing financial difficulties in 2019. Supported by over 180 classmates and schoolmates, the plan has raised materials toward public welfare and education funding totaling 350,000 yuan (about $52,501) and helped 66 students from Liangshan. Su has since been crowned with a series of honors for his outstanding conduct.

Invited by his college, Su's mother and sister came to attend this school-level award ceremony. 

“This is a memorable moment in my life, receiving the honor together with my mother and sister in my alma mater,” said Su at the event.

“I thank my mother for giving me life and never giving up on me and my sister in the most difficult years. I am also grateful to my alma mater, Zhongnan University of Economics and Law, which has nurtured me,” Su added.

Su gave his trophy to his mother. This August, he will teach in his hometown for one year as a volunteer before he continues his post-graduation education.

“I won’t be here without the help of others, and I’d like to try my best to repay them,” said Su.