Huang is pictured at Xiamen No 2 Experimental Primary School in East China's Fujian province when he was taking a class, Sept 12. [Photo/IC]

He did all he could do to take care of his mother — preparing drinking water, feeding her and leading her to the bathroom until her health gradually recovered.

School staff were deeply impressed by what the 12-year-old has gone through and how he has coped.

"Huang Sikai is a bright-minded and warm-hearted child," said Li Xiaohong, vice-principal of the primary school. "Whenever I meet him, he always smiles at me."

In the eyes of Zhang Limin, Huang's teacher, the boy is always active in volunteer work.

"One can always find him at the frontline, either to carry new textbooks to the classroom, fix the display board on the wall or arrange the stools. He always goes to the Nursing Home to visit the seniors there," she said.