Ma Xiuchun, a woman who works at a small timber mill in Zhucheng, Shandong province, caused a fire because equipment was improperly operated and as a result was burned seriously. Ma could not afford the huge medical fees, but what eventually happened to her turned out to be quite moving and comforting, says an article in the China Youth Daily. Excerpts:

Instead of making a clean break with this casual laborer, the factory paid her medical bills, which rose into the millions, making it difficult to pay other workers for eight months. But no one complained. Ma's colleagues voluntarily give up their holidays and worked overtime to make their contribution to her medical treatment.

Moreover, these colleagues, who earn only about 1,500 yuan ($235) a month all donated money to Ma. In a time when people's faith in each other seems to be fading away, they not only saved the poor woman's life, but also her family as well.

The fact these people eased the suffering of an ordinary rural woman is very encouraging because it shows the friendship between co-workers and sympathy between people. Common kindnesses such as this are what society lacks most at present, but they are also the most indispensable.

Though Ma still has a long recovery ahead of her, she is much better and has been given a precious second chance. Hopefully she can be soon restored to full health and similar stories will spring up.

(China Daily 10/13/2011 page9)