Retired teacher networks with youth online

A 71-year-old retired teacher, Zhang Jin, has become a busy Internet surfer, after her daughter gave her a QQ net name in Zhengzhou of Central China's Henan Province six months ago.

Zhang, whose net profile identifies her as a 17-year-old girl, spends a hours each day chatting with many young Internet surfers.

In the past months, Zhang said she has used online chats to successfully persuade many young students to avoid electronic games, gambling and other bad habits that would affect studying.

Most of Zhang's Internet friends are local high school students who are aged between 14 and 18.

Zhengzhou Evening News

3-year scrap collection raises US$125 for poor

In an effort to help others less fortunate, a junior high school student raised more than 1,000 yuan (US$125) from gleaning and collecting scraps in his spare time in the past three years.

Chen Cilai donated all his income from collecting the scraps to the college students who come from poor families.

Chen was born in a poor family in the rural area in Central China's Hunan Province. He is currently a student of a high school affiliated with Changsha University.

Xiaoxiang Morning Post

(China Daily 03/18/2006 page3)