Over 2,100 donations for parents killed PhD student Maolin Zhang
In January, Astronomy PhD student Maolin Zhang sadly lost his life in a big fire, leaving his parents – poor farmers in rural China – childless. His friends, colleagues and fellow students joined forces to make possible what Maolin Zhang would have done: establishing a secure future for his parents. Their crowdfunding efforts were very successful, with more than 2,100 donors they surpassed their goal by 164%. The crowdfunding campaign will close on 12 May.
Maolin Zhang was a 27-year-old Chinese CSC PhD student at the Leiden Observatory. As the son of poor farmers in rural China, he worked extremely hard to gain admission to the prestigious Tsinghua University, and after that the Leiden Observatory. Unfortunately, his journey to unravel the mysteries of the Universe came to an abrupt and shocking end. In the early morning of 17 January 2019, a fire broke out at his home in Hillegom. Maolin Zhang didn’t survive. His sudden death left a devastating big hole in the lives of his family and friends.
Crowdfunding
As an only child, Maolin Zhang planned to take care of his parents later on in life so they would continue to live with dignity when they are no longer able to work on the farm. With his sad passing away, his parents – in addition to their inconsolable loss – were also faced with an uncertain future where poverty and dependence on charity loomed. Maolin Zhang’s Leiden friends and colleagues therefore set up a crowdfunding campaign to raise money.
With more than 2,100 donations, they have succeeded in securing a financial stable future for Mr. and Mrs. Zhang. In total, they raised € 73,866 with which the Zhangs can support themselves for about 15 years when health or old age prevents them from working on the farm. The crowdfunding team is in contact with alumni from Tsinghua University who also raised money for Maolin Zhang’s parents. Together, they will make sure that the raised money will be made available to Mr. and Mrs. Zhang and will be managed responsibly.
Those who would like to contribute to the crowdfunding, can still do so, until 12 May.
Maolin Zhang in our memories
In January, Maolin Zhang’s Leiden friends and colleagues, said goodbye to him during a moving ceremony held at the University’s historical Academy Building which ended with a memorial walk to the Old Observatory. Part of Maolin Zhang’s ashes were buried at the Rhijnhof cemetery in Leiden, just 1.5 km from the Leiden Observatory. The other half was brought to China by his father. In the presence of the Zhang family and their loved ones, he buried them on a hill on their family’s land. By dividing his ashes over these two places, Maolin Zhang will always stay close to the ones and the things he loved.
Read the In Memoriam
Latest news on police investigation into fatal fire (in Dutch)
Crowdfunding campaign ‘Support Maolin’s Parents’