BACK TO NATURE: Volunteers set a rescued oriental white stork free in Tianjin on November 21, 2012, when 13 of the birds were released after recovery from pesticide poisoning during migration to south China (COURTESY OF THE BEIJING NEWS)

Through his investigations, he uncovered many social issues. "Some of the problems really shocked me. But as a journalist, I could only record them and call people to follow and solve them," Deng said.

Deng soon found that merely talking about the problems was not enough, so he set his eyes on public welfare programs.

In early 2011, when conducting interviews in an impoverished area in Qianxi County, southwest China's Guizhou Province, Deng learned that many primary school students could not afford to have lunch at school and many of them went hungry as a result.

As the father of a daughter attending primary school, Deng was well aware of the need for children to have lunch at school. He decided to do something to change the situation.

In April 2011, Deng launched a program by raising funds online and providing free lunch to primary school students in impoverished areas.

"When the Free Lunch for Children program grew bigger, I knew it was impossible for me to return to being an investigative journalist; so I shifted my concentration to public welfare," Deng said.

Later, he went on to launch another six public welfare programs, including Let the Migratory Birds Fly.

Deng admits that managing the seven programs is arduous. Still, he is able to overcome the difficulties. "When I feel tired, I spend time with my family. Then I can relax. I am glad that my wife and daughter support me," he said.

Honors

Deng has won numerous awards for his work.

On October 17, Deng was awarded the China Poverty Eradication Awards Innovation Award by Wang Yang, Vice Premier of the State Council. Prior to that, in April 2012, then Vice Premier Li Keqiang conferred on him the China Charity Award for his work in the Free Lunch for Children program.

"I value these honors very much and am very happy to get them as they can further publicize our public welfare programs and attract more people to join us," Deng said, adding that the awards also increase the pressure on him and his colleagues to work harder.

"Though given to me, they also show the government's affirmation of the work of non-governmental public welfare organizations," Deng said. He is proud of what he and his team have done and is determined to continue pursuing his dream of helping others.

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Deng Fei's Programs

1. Combating Child Trafficking on Micro-blogs Launched in February 2011, the program calls on micro-bloggers to take photos of children who are forced to beg on streets so as to find trafficked children.

2. Free Lunch for Children Launched on April 2, 2011, the program raises funds online and provides free lunch for primary school students in impoverished regions.

3. China Rural Kids Care Launched on July 18, 2012, it raises funds online to provide medical insurance for children in impoverished regions.

4. Warm Current Launched on October 23, 2012, it raises funds online to provide school stationery for children in impoverished areas.

5. Let the Migratory Birds Fly Launched in late 2012, it prevents migratory birds from being illegally hunted.

6. Water Safety Plan Launched on April 9, 2013, the program helps environmental protection authorities to protect rivers from being polluted.

7. Girl Protection Launched on June 1, 2013, it mainly helps schoolgirls to protect themselves.