Chinese boy who donated US$1.5 to end power cuts now works for energy company

In the 1990s, a Chinese boy named Wang Yu donated 10 yuan, equivalent to US$1.5, to the Three Gorges Dam project. At the time, the 12-year-old lived in Zigui county, Hubei province, with a daily allowance of just one yuan and parents earning a combined monthly salary of less than 100 yuan. While doing homework, Wang overheard discussions about a nationwide appeal for donations to fund the massive dam.

Keeping half of a 20 yuan gift from a relative, he sent the remaining 10 yuan to the China Three Gorges Project Corporation via the local post office. Wang later received a receipt and thank-you letter from the company. He expressed hope that the dam would eliminate the frequent power outages that affected his studies. In 1992, Yichang Daily recognized Wang as one of the region's outstanding figures as the first person in Hubei province to donate to the project.

The Three Gorges Dam, the world's largest water conservancy project, began construction in 1994 and was completed in 2006, costing around 250 billion yuan, including the relocation of 1.3 million residents. Wang, now 47, works for the State Grid Corporation of China in his hometown, monitoring power transmission from the dam across the country.

His story went viral recently after photos of his receipt at the Three Gorges Project Museum circulated online. Wang has donated a second 10-yuan contribution, expressing his continued pride in helping provide power to households.