American Leif Rogers was looking forward to meeting 50 young local students in his office in Northeast China to share his greatest passion.

It was not the subject of journalism, which he majored in at college and once taught at university and he was not planning to talk about finance, despite being a client manager in the Bank of Jinzhou, in Liaoning province.

The 37-year-old expat had only one topic in mind, the inspiring life of Lei Feng (1940-62), arguably one of China's most famous soldiers.

Lei Feng became a New China icon in the 1960s for his charitable deeds and Good Samaritan altruism, and his legend grew after his sudden death in an accident.

For decades, the young soldier became a role model for an entire generation.

An old poster of Lei Feng, which reads "Learning from Comrade Lei Feng!"

But Rogers, who has become an expert on the soldier's life, soon discovered many of China's new generation were not aware of Lei's valuable legacy.

"I asked a boy whether he had read The Dairies of Lei Feng. He looked rejected, and he said it was something quite out of date," says Rogers.

Then he gave the boy a brochure of Lei Feng's most recited excerpts in both Chinese and English. "Read it, you may change your mind," he says.

The fact that a foreigner is educating young Chinese about the importance of Lei Feng has attracted strong interest among local people, who have affectionately dubbed Rogers "Yang (alien) Lei Feng".

Rogers first discovered the legend of Lei Feng on one hot summer night in 2005.

On his first visit to China, Rogers walked out of the Beijing Capital International Airport and hopped in a cab and the driver asked him his name.

"Leif," Rogers replied.

"Lei Feng! Your name is so close to Lei Feng," the driver replied.

Rogers didn't learn much about the model soldier during the ride because of the language barrier but the admiring expression on the driver's face when he referred to Lei Feng had aroused his curiosity, which was already fired up by his journey to China.

"I grew up overseas (outside the United States), and I wanted to work overseas," he says.

"I believed China is developing into a world business leader with many career opportunities. Then I got an offer to teach in China, and without any doubt, I took it."

Rogers' first job was teaching journalism at Liaoning University of Technology in Jinzhou. He discovered this was the same city where Lei Feng served in the army. Locals continued to pay special reverence to the soldier.

With the assistance of his colleagues and students, the American collected many stories and pictures of Lei Feng and his knowledge grew.

"Most of the military heroes I know are remembered for their performances in battles," he says. "While Lei Feng, the most distinguished soldier in China, was just a common private who drove a truck. That is why I was so attracted by him."

American Leif Rogers promoting the spirit of Lei Feng among the country's younger generation. [China Daily]

Customers to Roger's office are amazed at the special glass cabinet, where he has placed most of his precious collections of Lei Feng.

The display includes a white ceramic statue, which he treasures the most, calendars, cups, matchboxes and other souvenirs with political posters of Lei Feng.

There is one old photograph, capturing a smiling Lei Feng talking with an army buddy, which has special pride and place in the collection.

"I got the photo from the Shenyang Lei Feng Group, consisting of his old fellows in the army. I visit them every now and then. They are all in their 80s and very nice men," he says.

Rogers has added his own work to the collection by translating a book of quotations from the famous soldier.

"A student at university gave me a book of The Dairies of Lei Feng in 2006," he says.

"It is in Chinese and my Chinese was very limited. And I couldn't find an English version. There was very limited English information about Lei Feng so I thought I should do something on my part."

In 2007, he published a book Learn From Comrade Lei Feng and distributes it to people wherever he goes.

"What I most appreciate in Lei Feng is his being so humble, after doing a lot of good deeds," he says.

"That makes a comparison today as so much is about who you are and how much you are recognized."

Lei Feng's anecdotes have also reminded Rogers of his late father, who once worked in Africa and Papua New Guinea for the UNICEF. He traveled with his roaming parents and discovered the highest virtue in life was to serve his fellowmen.

Rogers found this same selfless spirit in Lei Feng and actively engages in voluntary social services, such as visiting orphans and raising medical funds for a leukemia stricken girl.

He also looks out for other ways to try a little kindness.

Two years ago, a local family came to Rogers' office for help. They had lost contact with their 19-year-old son, who was studying in Los Angeles.

"I stayed up all night on the phone talking to my friends in LA," he says. "We finally tracked the boy down three days later. He moved out of his apartment without telling his families.

"He lived in a Chinese restaurant, and ended up being jailed in a detention center by mistake."

The boy, whose name Rogers declined to give, was soon released and is now the No 1 student in his class.

Rogers is also an active helper in the local foreign community. He has compiled a city guide with useful tips such as how to find a plumber, where to have a haircut and how to convert money.

In 2007, he was awarded a "Lei Feng Medal" of Liaoning province.

But the American is concerned that the spirit of Lei Feng has started to wane among China's younger generation.

"That worries me and that is why I am making it a trend among youngsters that Lei Feng is cool, and inspiring," he says.

"You can take everything from Lei Feng, but the bottom line is his giving spirit. Now and forever, people need this quality."

(China Daily July 2, 2009)