An orphan in Chongqing born with six fingers on his right hand is determined to rely on himself to save up for his surgery by collecting and selling used bottles, Yangcheng Evening News reported.

Wan Chenchen, 13, whose parents passed away years ago, lives with his grandmother. The two support themselves by collecting and selling paper boards and used plastic bottles.

“When the day goes well and we sell enough bottles, I buy eggs and make scrambled eggs with rice for Chenchen,” Wan Chenchen’s grandmother said. Chenchen would occasionally bring food saved from his lunch in the school canteen for his grandmother.

Chenchen is shorter and smaller than his peers because of poor nutrition. He refused many donations as he’s determined to save on his own for the 8,000 yuan ($1,270) needed for the operation. “To gain dignity, I have to depend on myself,” Chenchen said.

He will have to collect more than 100,000 bottles, at about 0.05 yuan per bottle, to pay for the surgery. Chenchen has so far saved 400 yuan.