An issuing ceremony for a scholarship program was recently held at Dinghai Yucai Junior High School in Dinghai district, Zhoushan, East China's Zhejiang province.

A total of 40 students from poor households were awarded scholarships and seafood gift packs worth about 40,000 yuan ($5,750).

The scholarship program is funded by Zhao Xinkuan, a local fisherman, and his daughter Zhao Hongyan, who run seafood processing and marketing businesses.

They have been running the program for three years now and have spent over 100,000 yuan to help students in need.

"My father is an orphan and was raised by his older brother's wife. This is what drives him to help others," said Zhao Hongyan.

Zhang Manyu, a third-grade girl at Dinghai Yucai Junior High School, said: "I was so excited to receive the scholarship and gift pack. I plan to buy new clothes for my mom."

Zhang's father died of an illness several years ago and her mother earns less than 3,000 per month working at a local aquatic company.

Yao Yihai, an employee at the school, said that the school has over 420 students, most of which are from the families of migrant laborers with relatively low incomes.