Jiang Shengfa – Inspiring Story Of An Armless Teacher!

Jiang Shengfa, an armless man has become an internet sensation in China for bringing knowledge and hope to a remote village. In a region where young people refuse to work and live, the 41-year-old has been working as a teacher in Chang’an Village of Yunan Province for over a decade. Despite his disability, he straps chalk using his limbs and flip book pages with his mouth in order to teach a class of around 40 students. In 1996, an electrical accident changed his life. He was helping his neighbour to repair high-voltage wires. However, the impact took off both his arms. Jiang had already started his career in teaching Chinese language. Later, he retired from his job. In 2003, a primary school at the countryside in Yunnan Province was looking for a teacher. Due to its remote location and underprivileged living conditions, no one was willing to go there. All young and educated people in that poor village were leaving to find work elsewhere. Finally, the local authorities approached Jiang for help to be a substitute teacher. The selfless man agreed the temporary job offer. But it turned into a long term devotion. Jiang trained himself to become a good teacher. He learned to write on the blackboard using his severed limb and turn book pages with his mouth. He practiced calligraphy over the years and achieved beautiful handwriting. He walks five miles every day through muddy roads to reach school. However, his efforts made an incredible change in the village. The father of an 18-year-old son spends each day surrounded by his students, who learn both Chinese and life lessons from his inspirational example. The story of this devoted teacher spread across the country by 2013 and the educational authorities offered him a new teaching job in Henan Province with a much higher salary and better facilities. But Jiang hesitated to accept the offer to continue with his beloved kids. In the following years, he has received many awards including the ‘Candle Light Award’ from China Youth Development Foundation. Jiang tells that one thing he has learned about life is to never complain and always look at his physical challenge as a positive in life. Jiang Shengfa, the strong-willed man is now an inspiration for the youths around the world. He is enlightening the dreams of the poor village and they will never forget his lessons.