Body and soul, a haven for the elderly

Volunteering

His operations are officially registered as a charitable organization called Xiaoxinghui, meaning "filial conduct commission", which has expanded over the years. "Our commission has 130 people now, many of them are young people who heard about us and our activities, and many work in cities such as Hangzhou and Shanghai," Jin said.

One of them is Chen Liang.

"The activities of Xiaoxinghui are very meaningful, especially with aging becoming common in rural China," Chen said.

Chen was born in guantangchong and has worked in Hangzhou for 12 years.

"My roots are in Guantangchong, so I'm really happy to do something for the elderly in the village," he said.

Although Chen lives in Hangzhou, he runs errands when he is back home during holidays and helps organize activities.

The assistance Jin provides also includes taking family photos and sending gifts during Chinese New Year and inviting opera troupes to give performances.

The caring extends beyond death, Jin said.

"When someone dies we organize small memorial ceremonies in the home of the deceased before they are cremated, we mourn the deceased and we are there to comfort the family," he said.

Jin said that when he was growing up filial piety was not just an idea, but involved very down-to-earth things.

"Being filial to old people doesn't just mean looking after them materially. With living standards in rural China improving, the elderly need care and respect rather than just material things," Jin said.

He is keen to give something back to guantangchong.

"I want to do something for the place that raised me and hope what I do will make it a better place," he said.