Duguimaa, who lost her parents at the age of 11 and grew up with her aunt, cannot speak Mandarin but she can understand it. She speaks Mongolian and keeps in touch with the children, who are now in their 50s and 60s, through WeChat. During special occasions, such as Spring Festival, she receives greetings from those children.
"She not just gave us food and shelter, but also the love of a real family," says Jalgamj, 64, who came to Siziwang Banner at the age of 3 and was adopted by a local couple and has lived there since then. Jalgamj is married and has three daughters now. "She was there when we had no one. She gave me my second life."
Tsagaanchuluu, in her 50s, is Duguimaa's only biological daughter. She lives with Duguimaa and takes care of her.
"She has been mother and father, which made her a hard and strong woman. She loves the children and always offers help for people who are in need," says Tsagaanchuluu.
According to Erkhem, vice-director of publicity department of the banner, when COVID-19 hit Siziwang early last year, Duguimaa donated 5,000 yuan ($774) to the local Red Cross to provide protective gears for frontline workers.
"She did something extraordinary and her story deserves to be learned by more people," says Erkhem.
Contact the writers at chennan@chinadaily.com.cn
