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Lan Jian (third from left, second row), born in 1966, is a national-class performer and tenor with the China Ethnic Song and Dance Ensemble.

Lan Jian, born in 1966, is a national-class performer and tenor with the China Ethnic Song and Dance Ensemble.

In August 2000, Lan took part in a performance for poor people in an ethnic minority area where he saw that some kids could not afford to go to school and some kids with artistic talent could not receive an appropriate education. He made up his mind to help those kids then and there. So far, Lan has directly helped 91 children receive education, and he has set up art schools in Hubei and Sichuan provincs to educate children who are interested in and talented in art.

On Nov. 8, 2002, Dongpo Town in Wuding County in Yunnan Province suffered a serious mudslide. Upon hearing the news, Lan immediately traveled to the disaster area to hold two solo performances at his own expense to express his sympathy and solicitude to the local people and help them raise money. He also donated money to three Miao children to pay for their education from elementary school through university. He even donated RMB 1,000, all the cash that he had at the moment, to a local school to buy stationery for its students.

Such stories have happened all the time over the past few years. Lan has paid special attention to helping kids from ethnic groups whose populations are already small, such as the De’ang, Drung, Achang and Pumi ethnic minorities. Lan’s care for those children has moved many people throughout society. In May of 2006, he was named an honorary member of the council of China Red Cross.

Now Lan receives letters every day from his “children” living all around the country. “When we received the money from you, my family members were all moved to tears. My brother and I finally have money to pay tuition. We lost our mom, and my father and grandparents are illiterate. We thank you very much, and we will surely study hard and make our contribution to society when we grow up,” wrote Xu Liqiong from Yunnan Province.

“The 56 ethnic groups are like one big family, and we are inseparable, just like water and fish. We should care for and help each other. I do feel it is my responsibility to help poor kids receive education and let them make an impact on society,” said Lan.

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