Han founded a charity called Family Trust in Johannesburg and works with the poverty alleviation office of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, supporting students at a high school in Malipo, Yunnan province.

She met some of the students whose education she has helped for the first time last November and was deeply touched by the experience.

"It only costs 1,000 yuan for a student to study and live at school per year, but there are still so many families not able to afford it," she says. "I never thought my money could change so many children's lives. Finally, I did one thing so right."

While she helps others in need, Han is somewhat tough with her own sons. They are studying at college in South Africa but have to pay their own tuition fees and are sometimes teased by other students because of it.

"I understand the value of money from the hard times I experienced and I don't want to spoil them," she says. "It's not like I do charity work outside and am only harsh on them. I hope my sons cherish what they have and as a result make good choices in life."