Personal Journey
From Public Welfare to Global Travel
My journey of soul and life transformation, from growing up as a left-behind child in rural China to founding Forest Angel charity and beginning a new chapter around the world.
The Question
“Why are you traveling the world?”
Hello everyone, I’m angelajia. As I travel around the world, I am often asked this question.
The answer did not begin with airports, maps, or beautiful landscapes. It began much earlier, in a small mountain village in Fujian, China.
A childhood in rural Fujian, shaped by solitude, resilience, and the experience of being a left-behind child.
In 2014, I founded Forest Angel charity and dedicated many years to supporting left-behind children in China.
In 2023, I began a world travel journey to rediscover life, connection, courage, and myself.
Growing Up as a Left-Behind Child in China
I was born in Fujian, China, in a small mountain village surrounded by lush forests. Rolling mountains and winding rivers stretched as far as the eye could see, and the air was always filled with the earthy scent of soil and fresh grass.
During my childhood, I spent most of my days living with my grandparents, while my parents had moved to the bustling city to pursue new opportunities and start a business. In the pursuit of a better life and a different future, they left our home, and in doing so, they left me behind.
Growing up as one of the left-behind children in China, I learned early the meaning of solitude, resilience, and the quiet longing for parental presence.
I remember that starting from sixth grade, I began living at school full-time. I would go home only once a week. What I wished for most was for my parents to suddenly appear, but they were always absent.
No one ever took me to school. Many times, I walked alone along the path back to the dormitory, feeling as if the whole road was empty, just like my heart.
It turns out, I was worthy of love. Some love just arrives too late.
When I was eight years old, I experienced a very dark thought. It was not triggered by any single terrible event, but by a long-standing sense of being unseen, uncared for, and misunderstood.
That profound loneliness, like an invisible hand, slowly pushed me toward the edge of an emotional abyss. I did not yet have the words for my feelings, but I felt them deeply: the ache of solitude, the longing for connection, and the silent struggle within my young heart.
The Plight of Left-Behind Children
It was not until later that I realized I had a name: a “left-behind child.” This term refers to children who remain in rural hometowns while their parents migrate to urban areas for work.
And I was not alone. There are tens of millions of left-behind children in China. They grow up without parental presence, raised by grandparents, often missing emotional support during the most critical stages of development.
Beyond loneliness and self-doubt, many face harsh realities: school bullying, lack of psychological support, sexual abuse, and even being lured into crime.
Some children learn to remain silent. Some mature too early. Others are broken by life before the world ever has a chance to show them kindness.
I often wonder: if I had acted on that dark thought back then, would I have ever discovered the vastness and tenderness of this world? Would I have seen the turquoise waters of Mallorca, the golden dunes of Egypt, or laughed with a stranger’s child on a bus in a foreign land?
Forest Angel Charity
Founding Forest Angel
I used to focus on public welfare for left-behind children in China. In 2014, I founded the Forest Angel charity organization.
Over the past 10 years, our team has helped over 200,000 left-behind children. I dedicated nearly all of my youth to this cause, working full-time in public welfare in China.
Almost every month, I would visit remote areas such as Sichuan, Guizhou, Hunan, Guangxi, Ningxia, and other regions to meet children in desperate need of support.
Public Welfare Was Never Just a Job
Some people ask: “Can public welfare make money?”
Actually, doing charity is even more challenging than running a company. Profits from a business can be kept for oneself, but funds raised for public welfare can never be used for personal gain.
Misusing charity funds is not only deception, but a disaster that requires countless lies to cover up. Given such risks, running a business might seem easier, but my heart always led me to help others.
“If it doesn’t make money, why continue doing charity? Are you crazy?”
Many people have asked me this. Perhaps, in some eyes, I really do seem “crazy.” But I’ve always believed that foolish people have their own luck. The more people you help, the more help returns to you when you need it most.
Public welfare is not just my job. It is my dream and mission.
Being once a left-behind child, I deeply empathize with these children. I’ve been through the rain myself, so I always think about holding an umbrella for others. Seeing children regain hope and happiness brings me an incredible sense of fulfillment.
A new chapter began when public welfare, personal healing, and travel started to meet.
Moving Forward
In March 2023, after years living and working in Beijing, I began considering whether it was time to move to a new city. While preparing to relocate to Shenzhen, I suddenly decided to take a long break and explore the world.
At first, I planned a short one- or two-month stay in a Southeast Asian city to relax. After discussing with my friend Luning, an experienced traveler, I was inspired to consider a broader journey through Central Asia.
Many countries there offer visa-free or visa-on-arrival options, perfect for long-term travel without strict plans.
This idea gradually evolved into a full world travel adventure. I sent all my belongings in Beijing to a friend’s warehouse in Shenzhen, packed my bags, and officially began my journey.
To test my adaptability, I took a one-month trip to Xinjiang first, which confirmed I could embrace a nomadic lifestyle. On July 1, 2023, I officially embarked on my world travel journey.
Forest Angel
I founded Forest Angel charity and began full-time public welfare work for left-behind children.
A Turning Point
After years in Beijing, I began asking what kind of life I wanted to experience next.
World Travel
I officially began my world travel journey, stepping into a new chapter of self-discovery.
Self-Discovery
World Travel and a New Version of Myself
This trip is not just about seeing the world, but also rediscovering myself.
Over the past 10 years, my life revolved around public welfare, leaving little personal space. Every interaction with left-behind children in China deepened my understanding of life’s meaning.
Now, through world travel, I step out of my comfort zone, explore new possibilities, and experience the diversity of the world.
Learning to Live More Fully
Helping children and engaging with different cultures share the same inner driving force: a desire to grow, connect, and fully experience life.
Every day is an adventure, sometimes warm, sometimes romantic, sometimes full of suspense. Each challenge, from staying in a hostel for the first time to hitchhiking or staying in a stranger’s home, reminds me that growth comes from stepping beyond comfort zones.
Different cultures, music, architecture, and the diverse people I meet all fuel my curiosity and passion. Travel helps me discover new parts of myself: a braver, freer, more authentic version.
Travel is not an escape from the past. It is a way to meet life again, with more courage and tenderness.
Balancing Public Welfare and World Travel
Many ask if I still do charity. The answer is yes. Public welfare is a lifelong cause, and once you start, it never truly leaves you.
Although my daily life has shifted to world travel, my passion for Forest Angel charity remains. I continue to remotely manage projects, ensuring children in need still receive support.
Public welfare is inseparable from my life, even as I explore the world.
The Journey Continues
Find Yourself, Share Love
This journey is about more than places. It is about healing, courage, kindness, and the people who remind us that the world is still worth loving.
Read More About Angela