The last gleam of sunshine fell behind the twin mountains, the reason for this area’s beauty and isolation. As I finished collecting data from the last household in this village, a deep hard-won fatigue of a full day’s work weighed my body and threw me to the ground. I lay down, let the burning lactic buildup seep, and did not attempt to stand up.
I treasured my volunteering opportunity in Huilong township, a beautiful mountain village of three thousand lovely residents who always gave me the biggest bunch of grapes as a custom of welcome. They showed kindness and amity to everyone, even though meeting basic needs like running water was still an extravagant hope.
For years, I avoided encountering suffering and hardships. With my parents’ support, I even attended a private school in Boston instead of throwing my lot into a life of trial and lack. I observed the excess in capitalist cities—locals were so well-off they preoccupied themselves with troubles beyond the material basics. Compared to the poverty-stricken masses in rural China, the Texans embraced a lifestyle on another dimension.
Meanwhile, I studied Economics to make sense of societies, rooting for the Neoclassical system. I assumed China’s heavy government intervention in free markets held it back. For example, political figures used the tax system to subjugate civic enterprises, made exceptions for state-owned monopolies, and politicized tax policy for personal gain and corruption. Consequently, their policies caused deadweight loss and led to economic repression for millions.
“Why are all these state revenues going back to the dirty pockets of the politicians?” I asked my father, frustrated. He looked me in the eye as if he finally saw his kid grow up.
“No, not all of them.” A significant smile swept over his cheek. I didn’t understand immediately.
Later, after delving into Sakyamuni’s adventure for extreme painfulness and his Buddhist ideas, I was deeply touched and began volunteering in a state poverty alleviation program funded by state firms.
My physical tiredness was nothing compared to what Huilong villagers dealt with daily. Huilong had many issues—villagers were barely considered employed despite their dedication to supporting their families. They had no paved roads, no modern utilities.
I poured continued effort into the town—collecting data, surveying households, and preparing reports. I learned a bit of their language, a Sino-Tibetan dialect, and grew to understand their proud culture of self-reliance. Still, they dreamed of giving their children better lives outside the mountains.
Over the years, I saw change: new roads, utility stations, healthcare, education, and rising living standards. Capital had even been deployed to build an indigenous sericulture industry and tourism.
It wasn’t hard to see these investments came from the government and state enterprises I once thought harmful.
I am a constantly changing mosaic of my education, experiences, and self-reflections. As I develop, I’ll accept the nuances of worldviews and belief systems that best serve society.
