| |
 |
Bright lights, big hearts
|
FOR Xiao Qin, a Senior One student from a Jinggang Mountain village, the arrival of spring brought great joy. For the first time in her young life, she rode on a train, taking a long trip to the modern, bustling city of Shenzhen to meet the people who have been supporting her for the past four years.
She was met by Jin Shiru, principal of SZ Experimental School, given a computer and many other gifts by teachers of the school, and taken on a tour round the city.
Xiao was all smiles during her visit, but it wasn't always this way. Back in 1997, when Mr Zhang of SZ Experimental School first met her during a visit to the Jinggang Mountain, she was a Junior One student at the local Xiaqi Middle School but was “doomed to drop out" very soon, she sadly told Zhang.
Ever since her father died in surgery seven years before, Xiao's mother had toiled day and night to raise her and her little sister. “But mother alone can carry on no more," the girl said sadly, “and I have to drop out and get a job."
Later, Zhang learned from the school that Xiao, though from the poorest family in her class, had always been an excellent student. He himself was born into a badly-off family and had had to fight for a better education, Zhang instantly decided to help the girl. “I will support you up the ladder of schooling," he promised to Xiao, “as far as you can get."
Since then, Zhang has been mailing her 500 yuan to pay her education fees at the beginning of each semester, and he sometimes sends more when needed. Reading the girl's letters overflowing with appreciation, Zhang felt a little bit uneasy. “I am glad that you excel in your school," he wrote back, “but please do not repeat those words of thanks, for helping you is enough to make me happy."
Last year, Xiao entered the top senior high school in Jinggangshan city and attained the second best scores in the school.
(Dawn Li)
|
|
|
|
