A Chinese woman starved herself nearly to death — weighing only 47 pounds at 24 years old — so she could save money to support her ailing brother, according to new reports.
Wu Huayan, of China’s Guizhou province, lived on only 2 yuan — just over a quarter — per day for five years, the Independent reported Friday.
The woman, who juggled university studies and two jobs, only allowed herself to eat a bun or a portion of rice each day.
Since her parents’ death several years ago, Wu’s been the sole caretaker for her brother, who requires mental health treatment, according to reports. The specific nature of his illness is unclear.
Wu is only about 4 feet 4, and now suffers from heart damage, hair loss, ringing in the ears and insomnia, the state newspaper People’s Daily reported. She also reportedly struggles to walk properly and afford her own medical expenses.
Her plight only came to light when she was taken to the hospital with severe malnutrition, the Independent reported.
When her story became public, the government lent a hand, providing an emergency relief fund of 20,000 yuan ($2,841) to the siblings, the BBC reported.
Word of her case exploded on social media — prompting sympathetic donors to shell out about $66,760 so far, according to the Independent.
Guizhou is one of the country’s poorest provinces, and stories of such dire poverty are not uncommon, according to People’s Daily.
Some Chinese social media users criticized the government for not taking action sooner.