At 85 years old, Wang Jianxuan has worn many hats throughout his life, including posts as the President of Taiwan’s Control Yuan, Minister of Finance, and Legislative Yuan Member. His dynamic personality has earned him nicknames like “Little Cannon” and “Saint Wang.” However, for the past 20 years, he has embraced an additional and significant identity—philanthropist.
Since founding the “Heart Second Spring Educational Foundation” in 1996, Wang, alongside his wife Su Fazhao, has established a total of six foundations aimed at supporting various social groups ranging from impoverished school-aged children to childless seniors.
Wang often speaks about his desire to achieve the idea of “when a person leaves, their love remains,” much like Steve Jobs, the founder of Apple. He recalls Jobs’ poignant words from his deathbed: “I have all the wealth and fame that people envy, but today, none of that matters to me.”
“Jobs left behind a staggering $25 billion because he hoped to share it with those living in poverty, which resonates deeply with me,” Wang reflects. “When our time comes, what can we leave behind? Our material possessions mean nothing; only the love we have shared with the world endures.”
His six foundations are located in the United States, mainland China, Taiwan, and Myanmar. Notably, the Heart Second Spring Educational Foundation has launched the “Pearl Recovery Program,” which assists financially disadvantaged students in continuing their education. Approaching its 20th anniversary, the program has helped over 88,000 students, with more than 71,000 going on to attend university.
The inspiration for this initiative stems from an experience Wang had in 2003 when he established the Xinhua Heart Senior High School in Pinghu City, Zhejiang Province. He noticed that several high-achieving students didn’t enroll because their families were too poor to afford tuition.
“It was heartbreaking,” he recalls. “These kids are like pearls; if they can’t continue their education, it feels like throwing them in the trash. I wanted to bring them back.”
Thus, the Pearl Recovery Program was born, providing full tuition coverage along with support for accommodation, living expenses, and books, allowing students to focus solely on their studies without financial burdens.
Wang remembers how hardworking the Pearl students are—sometimes using flashlights to study by after lights out at school, using batteries provided by the school. They understand that their education is their ticket to a brighter future, and they are fiercely committed to their studies.
Another gratifying aspect for Wang is that these Pearl students, who benefit from his foundation’s support, are also committed to giving back to society. During a visit to mainland China last year, he met several colleagues from his foundation, many of whom were Pearl students. Despite their impressive academic achievements and the potential for higher-paying jobs, they chose to work in charitable roles, valuing the chance to spread love and kindness over financial gain.
Reflecting on the past 20 years of the Pearl Recovery Program, Wang expresses his deep gratitude towards the World Journal and its readers. When the devastating Wenchuan earthquake struck in 2008, leaving countless schools in ruins and students’ futures hanging in the balance, the publication mobilized overseas Chinese to raise over $2.88 million in donations. Of that, $980,000 was allocated to the Heart Second Spring Educational Foundation, which was already engaged in establishing educational institutions in Sichuan. Between 2009 and 2015, it helped create 11 “Pearl Classes,” allowing 562 students to continue their education.
Wang emphasizes, “Every pearl we recover ignites a life. I am grateful to all the readers and donors who helped these children. Education is the key for the poor to change their circumstances, and your support helps them realize a brighter future.”
Despite his generosity, Wang leads a modest lifestyle. He has never indulged in luxurious dining, often insisting on paying for his tickets when attending charitable events and opting for budget accommodations. He reflects, “I’ve never had a lavish meal. Given that there are refugees in Syria without enough to eat, I can’t justify my desires.”
Wang often shares his humble beginnings, noting that both his parents never attended school due to poverty. “I witnessed my mother suffer in pain, unable to afford medical treatment,” he recalls, which fueled his determination to excel in his studies. He eventually graduated from National Cheng Kung University, earned a master’s degree at National Chengchi University, and received government funding to study at Harvard University.
As a devout Christian, Wang frequently shares his message through public speaking in churches, where his storytelling evokes deep emotions. He approaches his age with acceptance, stating, “In a month, I will be 86. I may not have much time left, but I am not afraid. I believe I’ve lived honorably, and one day, God will welcome me to eternal life with a whisper: ‘Well done, my child.'”
Wang is passionate about continuing to ignite others’ lives, saying, “My life has been dedicated to illuminating others, and now, I feel as if I am walking through a beautiful garden.”
Like many successful speakers, Wang concludes with a powerful call to action, encouraging both the wealthy and average individuals to share their resources with those in need to find true happiness. “Living with love is what makes life meaningful.”
Despite battling prostate cancer for five years and managing his wife’s mild dementia, Wang remains undeterred in his charitable endeavors. His latest foundation, “Angel Long-Term Care,” aims to provide dignified support for elderly individuals.
To further his efforts, Wang insisted on serving as the chairman of the foundation. He shared with reporters the recent publication of two autobiographies titled “Night Ends, Dawn Comes” and “Walking in the Garden,” pledging to donate all proceeds to “Transcend,” an organization dedicated to caring for home-bound elderly individuals.
Looking ahead, Wang envisions broadening the Pearl Recovery Program to assist impoverished communities worldwide through the love and support of the overseas Chinese community, aspiring to establish China as a beacon of compassion and kindness on the global stage. “While it’s important to become a military, economic, and technological powerhouse, the greatest achievement is to be recognized as a nation of love, where wherever we go, we are welcomed.”
