In rural Yunnan, China, a young boy named Wang Fuman-later known worldwide as “Ice Boy”-walked 5 kilometers (about 3 miles) through freezing temperatures, around -9°C (16°F), just to take his final exam. When he arrived, his hair and eyebrows were crusted with ice, his cheeks bright red from the cold. A teacher snapped a photo, unaware it would soon capture the world’s attention.
That single image, showing the quiet determination of a child chasing education despite hardship, went viral across China and beyond. Donations poured in-roughly $450,000 (3 million yuan)-to bring heating, warm clothes, and better facilities to his school and others like it.
When Wang later visited Beijing, he couldn’t hide his amazement:
“At home we sleep in jackets. Here, I can walk in one shirt. Heating is a miracle.”
His story became more than a viral moment-it was a powerful reminder of resilience, gratitude, and how easily we forget the everyday comforts others can only dream of.
