Chinese man visits elderly parents in rural villages on behalf of their children

In China's rural villages, where adult children often leave for work in distant cities or abroad, a growing number of elderly parents are left behind. These individuals are known as 'empty nest elderly,' with official statistics indicating over 118 million such people in China as of 2020.

Tian Rui, a 39-year-old convenience store owner from Yichang in Hubei province, has stepped in to offer a unique service: acting as a 'family bridge' for these seniors. Leveraging his past experience as a delivery driver navigating rural routes, Tian Rui began his service last year, visiting elderly individuals living alone.

His service involves delivering items like medicine and groceries requested by the children. He has also brought birthday cakes and celebrated special occasions with the parents. In one instance, a child living in Bolivia, over 17,000 kilometers away, requested Tian Rui visit their parent. While he often waives fees for nearby visits, he charges for travel expenses on longer journeys. He records video calls with the elderly parents to share with their children, providing a vital connection.

One poignant case involved a 70-year-old man Tian Rui visited in December. The man passed away just four months later, and the video footage captured by Tian Rui became a cherished final memory for his family. To date, Tian Rui has completed over 200 trips to rural villages, some involving round trips of 160 kilometers. He notes that the elderly truly desire to know their children are thinking of them and to have someone to talk to, often asking when he will visit again.

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The elderly really want to know that their children are thinking of them and to have someone to talk to.