Michael Herman (Germany): Helping others makes me happy

I was born in Dortmund, western Germany.

In 1984, I arrived in Shanghai with the purpose of studying Chinese at Fudan University. During my stay in China, I undertook an extraordinary adventure, covering a distance of over 1,100 kilometers from Shanghai to Wuhan on a sturdy bicycle manufactured by Flying Pigeon—a renowned Chinese bicycle company. This remarkable expedition provided me with valuable insights into different facets of Chinese society in that era.

Over the past decades, I have dedicated my time as an international volunteer in various countries around the world, including Turkey, Israel, Colombia, Lebanon, Zimbabwe, and India.

In 2005, I returned to China and commenced a program which focused on improving the control and prevention of HIV in the Linxiang district of Lincang, located in southwestern Yunnan. Leveraging my prior experience in this field, my team and I have contributed to reducing the prevalence of HIV among the local population.

 

Later on, I initiated another program called "Hope of Future" with a specific focus on granting essential preschool education to children residing in the rural areas of Yunnan. Today, I spend most of my time to raising public awareness regarding environmental protection and climate change, with a particular emphasis on educating children about these critical issues.

 

After dedicating almost two decades to working and residing in Yunnan, l continue to assist others through volunteer programs, as I believe that true happiness stems from such acts of service.

Writing and translating by Wang Jingzhong; video by Zi Jianfei; photographs providing by the interviewee