GD 153 ~ Jie Mei

Dear Susan and Peter,

How are you? I am very happy to be one of the girls who have been given this life-changing opportunity. I would like to thank you for helping me and giving me the opportunity to continue my education and to enlightening my life.

I was thrilled when I realized that I was one of the few who would be sponsored to go to this school. At that moment, I was really happy. It was a kind of happiness that can’t be expressed with mere words. Now that you have given me this opportunity, I will not let you down; I will work very hard and get good grades to repay your kindness in sponsoring me.

When I was accepted to this school, I was delighted but because my family is so poor, I knew there was no way we could afford the school fees. In my disappointment, I found a ray of hope when I learned that I could apply to be sponsored to go to school. I was very lucky to be one of the few to get this opportunity.

I wanted to go to school because I wanted to fulfill my parents’ wishes. Before my dad died, he told me, “Poor people can only escape poverty through good education”. This is my motivation to learn and it is also my motivation in life. If I had not obtained this opportunity, then I wouldn’t have been able to go to school anymore.

Before I knew about this scholarship, I had decided to stay at home and work with my mother because she was already 50 years old. I wanted to accompany her and lighten her burden because she had been funding my school fees* and taking care of our family for all these years. This would have locked the doors of my future and ruined my dreams of graduating from college. This sponsorship program changed many people’s lives including mine and it will change their futures as well as mine.

Having been given this opportunity, I will be very hard working because I don’t want to let my parents down and so I can fulfill my lifelong dream of graduating from college. To repay my mother for her hardship in helping me get this far and to acknowledge my Dad’s wise words before his death, I must continue to work hard in school.

If I were to fulfill my college dream, I would use my money to help my community, change my living environment and lighten the burden on my mom and to show her my love. Again, I am very thankful for your help and the opportunity you have given me. I will cherish this learning opportunity and work hard.

I wish you a happy life, good health and a successful business.

Sincerely,

Jie Mei

*School fees before high school are relatively low.

GD 154 ~ Qingyan

Dear Mike, Jeanne, Eric and Susan,

How are you doing?! Thank you very much for your help. I would like to say sincerely “Thank you”.

Mike, do you know that when I read your letter, I was really moved. Since we said goodbye in summer vacation, I never forgot you because you were the first person from overseas who spoke English to me. Your smile and your words are still in my mind.

Mike, you knew that my dream was to become a teacher. Now I am doing my best to make my dream come true. I suggested that my classmates ask me questions if they have difficulties in their study. Sometimes, I also offer to help them before they ask me to. I am trying to do what a real teacher would do, to tell them what I know. I also learn a lot by doing this. I helped others and, at the same time, I was happy to do that.

I feel time passes by quickly. Every day goes so fast. I have classes and do homework but I also play some sports every day. I run 20 minutes after class every afternoon in order to make myself stronger. I go hiking in the mountains every Saturday. I know you like hiking too. If possible, I would like to go hiking with you on Xiang Mountain.

Mike, I am not very good at studying now. But I won’t give up. I will study hard. (These days, I wake up at 5:50am and go to bed at 11:30pm.) Please trust me that I will study hard for my dream and my life goals. I won’t let you down. I will do my best!

Thank you again for your help.

Best wishes,

Qingyan

GD 155 ~ He

Dear Andrea, Jade, Lily, Mei and Nicola,

Greetings! My name is He. I live in a remote, far away village in Guangdong. My hometown is very beautiful. It has amazing scenery with mountains and pure, clear water. We also have a lovely, small fish pond. My parents are farmers so if the weather is rainy or stormy, sunny or pleasant, they still have to work on the farm every single day. The amount they earn is somewhat little. That’s why I realized the best way for children to be successful in the villages is to study hard. Because of this realization, I have been continuously working hard and I am eager to learn. Only through learning, can I obtain a better standing in the community.

When I received the letter of admission from this secondary school, I was very excited but I knew I would still have to work hard to create a better future. In my heart, I was also very scared because my family is so poor. I had to face the choice between my education and working. It was only when I learned of your support and financial assistance that I chose the path of education and I say thank you from the deepest part of my heart.

Let me introduce you to my life! I really like reading. From Monday to Friday, I learn in the classroom. Studying is very strenuous now. Everyday there is a tremendous amount of homework. Sometimes when I walk, I carry a politics or a history book. On Saturday, I go climbing with my friends and play badminton. On Saturday evening, I go to watch movies. A lot of these movies come from America. My favorite movie is Godzilla. During this past summer, I spent most of my time doing farming work.

In July this year, a group of Americans came from the United States and spent three days with us. Although they spoke English, I couldn’t understand some of them. I still had a lot fun. I discovered that love has crossed national boundaries and is in every corner of the world. For myself, I will strive to do my best and work to get the best grades!

Bless you!

I wish the best for your health! I wish your work will go smoothly!

He

GD 156 ~ Yu Huan

Dear Buker Elementary School staff,

I have been living in this poor mountain village since I was little. I am so curious about the amazing world outside. I envy those people who live in cities. Their lives seem more happy and colorful. In order to let my family and I have better and more stable lives, I will study hard. Although study is not an easy task, I will not be afraid.

During this last vacation, I stayed at home and helped my mother with some housework and farm work. I tried to find a part-time job, too. During my summer vacation, I worked as a salesgirl in a shop. The salary was about two dollars a day. I worked from 9am to 12pm, then from 6pm until the shop closed. I needed to clean the shop before I went home. It was very tough and there was no break during work hours. In the first few days, I had aches in my legs because I stood too long. I cried at home, but I dare not to tell my parents about this. I didn’t want my mother to worry about me. She is not in a good health. I have to push myself.

When we learned that you would support me for my education, we were so excited. My mother always asks me to study hard and tells me not to let those good people down. I listen very carefully to the teachers in my classes. I also do my homework and memorize my lessons by heart.

In school, my classmates are very kind to me. They always take care of me. We have lots of good times. We had a basketball match recently. In the match, we learned a lot. I will try to attend more activities and make more friends.

Thanks again!

Yours,

Yu Huan

GD 157 ~ Yu Jie

Dear Joan, Ruth and Margaret,

I am living with my younger brother now because my parents have passed away. Because of this, I know that only education can change my fate. When I received the admission notice from this high school, I was very happy but I was also very worried. I didn’t know how I could pay the school fees. When I learned that I could receive a scholarship, I was really excited. I could go to school again! I can live easier now. Now, my aim is to go to a top university.

At first, I felt I had no friends in school. But the reason for this feeling was that I was not confident enough. So I have begun to change the situation. I needed to learn how to make new friends. Do you think we can be friends?

Here are some things about my school life. I am a normal person. I like my social life. I love to listen to music and try to play basketball when I have free time. I am very happy to have the opportunity to study and have fun with my classmates.

During my summer vacation, I helped my family with house work. Next summer, I would like to find a part-time job. I have a younger brother. He is funny. He can’t speak clearly. So when he talks, my relatives laugh.

Since I left for high school, I seldom go back to my village because I need to study and because it’s too far away from home to school. This is my story. I have lots of stories. I will share my stories with you when I can write again next time.

Best wishes,

Yu Jie

GD 158 ~ Yu Juan

Dear MacQuarrie Family,

I would like to say thank you for your support. My name is Yu Juan. I like English and piano. We have lots of activities and games in our school. The friendships between my friends and I are getting better and better after having so many activities together. For example, we often have sports matches, basketball matches, art festivals and so on. We also have activities with prizes. Basically, other than studying our school life is like this.

I love my school. Our campus is very beautiful. There are lots of trees. The environment is very good too. I have made many friends after coming to this school. They are all very kind to me. They help me a lot when I need help. It makes me very happy that I was able to meet them. I appreciate all the opportunities you have given to me.

This school has given me a new start. It gives me motivation to change my life. It also helps me learn many different things about the world. On campus, I like our ways of studying. The teachers here make me feel warm. They teach us with patience. That’s why I like to study here.

I will cherish the opportunity to study at this school. I won’t let you down. I dream of becoming teacher after graduation, so that I can help other students to study. I also hope I could help my parents and let them lead a happy life. When I knew that you were going to support me, I was so surprised and appreciative. I wrote this letter to thank you for your help. I won’t let you down. I will study hard.

Best wishes,

Yu Juan

GD 159 ~ Wen Hong

Dear Nathan and Owen,

How are you doing?

When I learned that I was sponsored by you, I was so happy and excited. I know the only way my future could become better and more stable was through education. When I received the admission notice from this high school, I cried. Then, I knew I didn’t waste my effort. I shared the good news with my parents. All of us were so excited. On that night, I couldn’t sleep. With a higher level of education, I could learn more and be able to do something for my community and my country. Education is necessary to make a country better.

During my summer vacation and winter holidays, I will go out to find a part-time job. With the salary, I can help my family. I also can get some work experience so it will benefit to my future. I like reading, movies and music. My dream is to go to a top university and become a musician.

After my graduation, I will do my best to contribute to my hometown and make it a better place.

Yours,

Wen Hong