By Coconuts Hong Kong November 4, 2015 /15:15 HKT
The elderly man selling traditional flour toys on the corner of Great George Street in Causeway Bay is apparently suffering from some form of terminal cancer. Coconaut Jessica brought this to our attention after seeing a thread on the Hong Kong subreddit appealing to Hongkongers for help.
The man, surnamed Ching, learned how to make the traditional Chinese figurines as a teenager in Fujian, and has been selling his homemade toys on the corner for years, previously hawking his wares atop a rubbish bin.
In an interview with HK Magazine in 2008, Mr Ching said he even took a spray bottle to the stop to douse lit cigarette butts in the bin in case they caused any fires. What a nice, sensible dude.
He added that he "only [gets] a few bucks" from his work since kids nowadays aren't entertained by simple, traditionally made toys, but that he gets a strong sense of satisfaction from earning money on his own.
Unfortunately, Mr Ching's health has taken a turn for the worse in recent years, and he is now wheelchair bound. A sign recently appeared on his mat, saying "terminal cancer, please help if you can".
Despite his poor health, Mr Ching is always at the same street corner after 7pm, come rain or shine, according to a volunteer who works nearby.
The toys are often shaped like famous characters, like the Monkey King and Pig from the epic Chinese story "Journey to the West". If they are kept in a cool and well ventilated place, Mr Ching says the toys can last up to a year.
Go buy one and give this hardworking man a helping hand.
Photos: Imgur
http://hongkong.coconuts.co/2015/11/04/causeway-bays-flour-toy-peddler-suffering-terminal-cancer
