Chapter 183: Chapter 162: Qian Gen Sheng Spark Program (Part 2)
In the initial thoughts Gu Bai had, he just wanted to do charity in a high-profile manner, gaining as much reputation as he could, and he could spend a fortune building a batch of luxurious elementary schools. But now his thoughts have changed.
Rather than spending money on an ostentatious appearance, it’s better to spend it where it really matters and do something more meaningful.
A typical Hope Elementary School can be built with less than 500,000. Now, Gu Bai intends to improve the quality and spend 1,000,000 on each. According to his calculations, the 2 billion fund can build 2,000 Hope Elementary Schools. If a school serves 1,000 students, that’s 2 million students. Of course, that’s in an ideal situation. In reality, to bear the study expenses of 2 million students, not to mention 2 billion, even 20 billion might not be enough.
"However, regarding the construction of Hope Elementary Schools, you need the local government of Xuyong County to allocate land. But rest assured, the building of these schools is in the form of donations. Once construction is completed, the expected six schools will all be handed over to your local education department, but we do have one condition: the foundation will periodically send someone to audit the schools’ expenditures.
This may seem a bit excessive, but it is our only request. I don’t want the benevolent actions of our entire foundation to turn into a profit-making tool for some people, since this kind of situation is still quite common."
After Yi Jiahui finished speaking, Gu Bai chimed in, his gaze sweeping towards Shi Haishui who was sitting nearby.
Feeling Gu Bai’s gaze, Shi Haishui shuddered, with cold sweat running down his back.
After hearing what Yi Jiahui and Gu Bai said, all the leaders of Xuyong County present began to discuss. Gu Bai also sipped his tea and quietly waited for a response.
"Bang bang bang!"
Xue Lin heavily knocked on the table a few times, finally stopping the discussions.
"Chairman Gu, regarding the condition you proposed, we can fully cooperate. I can assure you that during my tenure, if there’s any issue that arises in the Hope Elementary School project, I will immediately resign in penitence!"
Gu Bai did not expect Xue Lin’s reaction to be so strong, and quickly said, "County Magistrate Xue, you exaggerate, I just hope to provide a good learning environment for those children; such drastic measures aren’t necessary."
Xue Lin gently shook his head.
"This is not an exaggeration at all. Xuyong County is among the poorest counties nationally, and I have been powerless regarding the students’ learning issues. With your foundation’s help now, if I can’t even satisfy this small condition, I would be failing as a county magistrate!"
Seeing Xue Lin’s serious expression before him, Gu Bai also felt a sense of respect emerge.
Due to Shi Haishui, he didn’t have a good impression of local leaders, and if it weren’t necessary for the Hope Elementary School project to involve their cooperation, he might even bypass the local government directly. However, with Xue Lin’s affirmation, he gained more confidence in this Torch Plan.
Thinking of this, Gu Bai spoke again, "This is the first part of the Torch Plan. As for the second part, let me explain it clearly to everyone as well.
I came to understand that the teaching issues in Xuyong County are not just due to a lack of resources, but the bigger problem is poverty. Poor students often face having to drop out at a certain age to help support their families, and if this issue cannot be properly handled, then no matter how well the schools are built, the local students’ schooling problems cannot be fundamentally solved."
Hearing this, Xue Lin said with some shame, "This is our failure. Xuyong County is located in a mountainous region with no resources to utilize, which makes it difficult to solve the poverty problem of the local people. However, please rest assured, Chairman Gu, we will certainly try our utmost to improve this."
Gu Bai waved his hand; these are not problems a businessman like him should worry about.
"Of course, I believe that, but that’s not the issue I’m talking about.
I’ve decided, aside from the Torch Plan, to add a Torch Support Plan. If students haven’t completed the 9-year compulsory education and meet the poverty criteria, and as long as they are enrolled and studying, we will provide each student with a 2,000 yuan scholarship annually until they complete their 9 years of compulsory education.
Of course, this part of the funds will be issued by our charitable foundation, but the local government will need to verify the list of eligible students."
It’s not that Gu Bai does not trust Xue Lin, but he doesn’t trust human nature.
2,000 per person per year.
Calculated by the number of school-age children locally, the annual expenditure exceeds tens of millions.
Gu Bai feels more assured keeping this money in his hands; he doesn’t care about these tens of millions, but he cares that the money cannot be used on those truly in need.
After hearing what Gu Bai said, Xue Lin remained silent for a long time.
Then he slowly stood up and bowed to him.
"Chairman Gu, on behalf of the 280,000 people of Xuyong County, thank you for your help. I, Xue Lin, promise you here that as long as I am in office, I will ensure every cent of your donation goes to those who truly need it!"
At the moment Xue Lin bowed, Gu Bai quickly stood up to avoid it.
"County Magistrate Xue, I can’t accept such a gesture from you. I am a businessman and only do things that are profitable. Frankly speaking, what I am doing is just for a good reputation."
Gu Bai said with a self-mocking smile.
"Even so, Chairman Gu, you are a benevolent businessman, and this is something we all have witnessed!"
Gu Bai did not intend to further discuss such meaningless topics with Xue Lin and immediately began discussing the details of the Qian Gen Sheng Torch Plan with the local leaders.