‘Let nature take its course’: secret China donor gives US$2.3 million over 25 years to fund education, help destitute families
- Charity stopped trying to find mystery donor out of respect for privacy wish
- Donations fund education, build schools for underprivileged children
An anonymous philanthropist in China who uses the alias shun qi zi ran, or “let nature take its course”, has donated at least 15 million yuan (US$2.3 million) over the past 25 years to help deprived children and fund educational facilities.
In the latest act of generosity, Ningbo Charity Federation in the eastern province of Zhejiang received a letter on November 15, signed by the mystery donor which came with more than 100 remittance certificates valuing a total of 1.08 million yuan (US$150,000).
It is the 25th time the charity has received a donation from the same source, state media CCTV reported.
Remittance documents have been sent to the charity every year – always in November or early December – routinely from a non-existent return address in the accompanying letter, according to the report.
Many separate remittance certificates were used for each large donation in order to maintain the donor’s anonymity. Mainland banking rules stipulate that anyone who remits 10,000 yuan (US$1,400) or more must provide a real name.
