THE mountainous areas in Southwest China's Guizhou Province are an enticing travel destination. But for Xu Benyu, the volunteer teacher who was honoured as one of CCTV's "People Who Moved China, 2005" after spending the past two years there, life was about more than charming scenery.

Xu was graduated from Huazhong University of Agriculture in Wuhan, capital of central China's Hubei Province.

Goudiaoyan village, embraced by the high mountains and excruciating poverty, can be accessed only by a narrow path winding through the mountains.

Electricity, telephones and mailmen cannot reach here. Until Xu decided to go there two years ago, neither could education.

Xu worked in the school in 2003, determined to help the children in any way he could.

A tall man with a Shandong accent, he was born into a poor family in rural area of Liaocheng City in East China's Shandong Province.

"My mother was always ready to help others and often gave them food and clothing, even though our family was poor," he said. "My mother often told me to help people in need."

Xu's later experience helped him to realize just how important such help can be. The mother of one of his classmates gave him a sweater to keep him warm while he was studying at university.

"Others also helped me, so I wanted to pay them back by helping others."