BEIJING: A single mother in China who has worked for 16 years carrying heavy bags of cement on construction sites to care for and fund her daughter’s education has moved countless people online.
Wei Guiyun, 40, from Qidong County in Hengyang, Hunan province, central China, has gone viral online after sharing her story.
In 2010, at the age of 24, she began the labouring job while raising two young children. At that time, her daughter was two and her son just a few months old.
“With two children, the financial pressure was huge. Their father was irresponsible and unwilling to help care for them, so I had to find work to support the family. This job allowed me to do both and I could get paid the same day,” Wei told Jimu News.
Over the past 16 years, Wei has carried 25kg bags of cement up staircases every day. She earns 3 yuan (45 US cents) per bag per floor, meaning she could make around 300 yuan (US$44) for carrying 100 bags.
At her peak, she carried loads totalling 150kg per trip and even worked non-stop during her menstrual period.
Over the past 16 years, her monthly income has gradually increased from just over 2,000 yuan (US$300) to 9,000 yuan, while her weight has risen from 60kg to 75kg.
“People do not believe I weigh 75kg now. Carrying heavy loads up and down stairs has built strong muscles. My legs are so firm they are hard as rock,” she said.
“The work is exhausting. My parents feel sorry for me, and my children did not understand at first, they even found it a bit embarrassing. But as they grew older, they gradually came to understand.”
Wei separated from her husband just a few months after their son was born, and the two later officially divorced.
Through her own efforts, she has now built a house in her hometown.
Since March 2025, she has also been documenting her life on social media under the name “Sister Yun the Porter,” amassing nearly 450,000 followers and earning about 2,000 yuan a month.
“When I am extremely tired, my body wants to give up, but in my heart, I never do. I have two children to raise and I want to earn enough to send them to university. That has always been my motivation. My daughter is about to take the college entrance exam and I hope she can get into a good university,” Wei said.
Last summer, due to intense competition in her local market, she moved to Guangzhou in southern China and joined a local moving team led by Li Guohui, becoming the only woman and the oldest member in the group.
On her first trial day, she impressed everyone on the team, earning more than 700 yuan (US$100) in a single day and was immediately offered a position.
“I have never seen a woman doing this kind of work before, but she really proved it herself. Many men on our team cannot even match her,” said Li.
Wei’s story has deeply moved countless Chinese netizens.
One person said: “She has accomplished what many men cannot. Truly incredible.”
Another added: “Women may seem weak, but become strong as mothers. Where is her husband? Even after the divorce, he should still pay child support. This woman is truly resilient, but hardship is still hardship.” - South China Morning Post
