Mr. Chen Si, known as the Angel of Nanjing, has volunteered to patrol the Yangtze Bridge every day, and over a 21-year career, he has saved 469 people from committing suicide.
One of the most famous bridges in the country, it is also the world’s most popular location to commit suicide. Almost daily there are people lingering alone or wandering aimlessly along its sidewalk, and Chen engages them in conversation to test whether or not they are prospective jumpers.
Sometimes that’s all it takes, somedays though, it sometimes requires an awful lot more.
South China Morning Post reports that it started for Chen back in 2000, when he saw a desperate-looking girl wandering on the bridge. He was worried something might happen to her so he brought lunch for them to share and started to chat with her. He eventually paid for a bus ticket for her to go home, but realized that this was something that must happen all the time.
For the past 21 years, he’s crossed the bridge 10 times a day on his electric scooter wearing his red jacket with the words “cherish all life” written across the back, he’s charismatic, he’s determined, he can be almost rude, in a certain Chinese way, in his efforts saving people’s life, and he’s become an expert.
He’s caught suicidal people who’ve been pushed into depression and suicidal thoughts by many reasons we may not be able to rightly pin point. He has spare rooms in his house to keep those he pulls off the bridge in a safe environment.
Here’s a story that serves as a grand awakening for us all—a reminder to be our brothers’ and sisters’ keepers. In these challenging times, many individuals are facing struggles that we may not fully understand. It is our collective responsibility to contribute positively, each in our own way. These small acts of kindness can create a powerful domino effect, spreading compassion across the globe like never before.
Be Inspired to Try A Little Kindness – this day, all day and every day.