As floodwaters recede across multiple hard-hit areas in Guangxi following severe flooding, three recent high school graduates — Pan Zongshi, Liu Yu, and Ye Yuxuan — from Kaizhi Middle School in Binyang County have voluntarily joined cleanup teams in Gantang and Zouwei towns, assisting with disaster relief efforts.
The three 18-year-olds, who just finished their college entrance exams, showed up among the volunteers and worked tirelessly alongside firefighters and other rescue workers. Covered in mud, with their clothes repeatedly soaked by rain and sweat, the trio became known as "little mud men," and their dedication has moved countless netizens.
On July 8, Liu Yu shared a video of the flood damage in Gantang Town in a group chat and suggested joining the cleanup effort. Pan and Ye immediately agreed. Having grown up together, the three decided to step up when their hometown needed help most.
Early on the morning of July 9, the trio set off from Xinqiao Town for Gantang, some 50 kilometers away. The roads, still covered with thick mud and debris, made the journey treacherous, and it took them nearly two hours to reach their destination. The scene was far more devastating than they had imagined. "There was mud everywhere. You'd sink into it with every step, and the roads were littered with garbage," Pan recalled.
Upon arrival, the three young volunteers worked alongside firefighters to clear accumulated mud and debris. The weather was hot, with occasional rain. The pungent smell of urea fertilizer, which had leaked after being soaked by the floodwaters, hung in the air. They worked until 4:00 pm before calling it a day.
After a day of rest, the three invited two more friends and returned to Gantang and Zouwei towns to continue the cleanup work.
Pan said the experience gave him a firsthand sense of the warmth and kindness that came from all directions. Firefighters handed them boxed meals during breaks, gas station staff provided drinking water, and villagers lent shovels and hoes to support the effort. Some residents also brought food and water to the rescue teams.
But what touched Pan the most was the sight of rescue workers and volunteers who had arrived days earlier and worked tirelessly under the blazing sun to clean up one area after another. "They arrived many days before us, braving the scorching heat and working tirelessly. Seeing them in action — I truly admire them from the bottom of my heart," he said.
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