YN 045 - Wan Mei

Dear Nina,

Thank you for writing me a letter. I was happy to receive it.

I want to tell you that when I was little, my family was poor. As a result, I didn’t begin going to school until I was eight years old. When I was in middle school, I could think of nothing but going to high school. As time went by, I learned more and more and I felt the real pleasure of learning. I was extremely happy when I was accepted into this high school. I could feel the joy of my dreams coming true.

But, in the middle of my happiness, there was some concern. I worried about the tuition charges. I wondered if after high school I could pay back a loan. Your help allows me to not worry, to have no anxiety – to beam with joy and smiles. I want to really tell you “Thank you.” Because of your help, I’ve decided to try to go to college. No matter if I have success or failure, I am willing to take a chance. Even if one day I have failure, still I will not feel bad because I know that I had your encouragement and I will feel content. It will take a lot of work, but I still hope that will succeed. If there is a day in the future that I can complete my education, then I can grant my hard working father some rest and I can use both of my hands to help more people.

My dream is very simple. I want to go to a good university so I don’t disappoint my father and waste the nurturing he has given me. If I have the opportunity, I would like to try my best to transform my hometown and make it a place where people want to stay, a united, peaceful and affluent town that people don’t want to move from once they have lived there.

Thank you Nina.

Wan Mei

YN 046 - Da Qiao

Dear Careen,

Thank you for giving me help and caring for me. Because my family did not have enough money to support me they felt immense pressure to make ends meet. To try to get me into school, they put all their efforts into earning money even when it was painful and exhausting. Our life in the farming village has been poor. Your help is like offering us fuel in snowy weather. It makes me hopeful for the future. When I was young, I enjoyed learning new things. Because my family isn’t rich, I worked hard in school and my future was full of hope.

When I was in middle school, I looked at a college student from my hometown and thought about the education my parents had. I decided that I should study hard to fulfill my dream of going to college. In return for the pain and pressure my parents were suffering, I gave them my good grades hoping that they can eventually have a better life in the future. When I experienced problems with my studies, I would think of my family and what they have sacrificed for me. That is the power that keeps me going.

When I received notification of my entrance to this high school I was delighted, but also sad. If I were to continue studying in high school my parents would have to work even harder and they would have even more weight on their shoulders. When I thought about not being able to continue studying, I didn’t know what to do. I was convinced that learning would be my life’s companion. If I lost the opportunity to learn, what would I do? I was unsure of what to do.

After I received the scholarship from you, I became full of hope again. For me, this scholarship plays an important role in my life and fills my future with hope. My goal is to finish high school and enter an ideal university. Afterwards, I hope that I can contribute to my community and dedicate myself to helping there. Also, I hope that after graduating I can find a suitable job so that my parents will be happy and be proud of me. I also hope I can be like you – helping people who need help.

Here, I would like to present you with my heartfelt thankfulness again. With my whole heart, I wish you blessings of happiness and peace.

Sincerely,

Da Qiao

YN 047 - Yong Chun

Dear XXX Family,

First of all, I want to thank you very much for your support and help. Your assistance helps reduce my family’s burden.

When I was in junior high school (junior 1 and junior 2), my scores weren’t good. When I reached junior 3, I realized that if I didn’t study hard my life would be spoiled. Then all I would be able to do is live like my parents and become a farmer. Therefore, I decided to strive in my studies. That is why I went to the school that is far from my home. I studied hard in order to be admitted into this high school. After I finish university, I hope to find a job with a stable income so I can let my parents have an easy and relaxed life.

When I was admitted into high school, I was so excited. I knew that I did not disappoint my parents and teachers. Before I studied in high school, I looked forward to high school life. However, when I really began to study here, I discovered that high school is very different from junior high school. High school has more subjects and I didn’t know anyone here. It was hard to understand what the teachers said in class. It made me feel disoriented and I didn’t know what to do or how to do it. I think that was the main reason why I didn’t have a good grade on my first test. However, it is better now. I have become accustomed to the new environment here and my relationships with my classmates are better now, too! This has given me more confidence to catch up.

I never thought about what would happen if I couldn’t go to school. My parents always told me that if I was accepted to this school, then I could go no matter how much money they would need to earn. They said that they would work hard to enable me to study. What they told me really encouraged me. If I faced a difficult situation, I still completed my schoolwork. But when I received the tuition notice, I knew that the financial burden would be too hard on my parents.

I had no idea that I could receive a scholarship. I had never heard about it before. My teacher told us that there is an organization that helps people who need help in Yunnan and other areas. When I heard that, I knew that the love in this world never stopped. Some things are hard to put into words. This financial help has made a big effect on my future. I know that in the world, there are still many poor people who need to help. After I grow up, I hope that I can do what you are doing – passing on the love and selflessly helping others.

For me, poverty means nothing. True wealth is in the heart. Because of my poverty I know how to cherish the right things and I know that money has no power. There are some things that can’t be bought. There are many famous people who have poor childhoods, aren’t there?

My dream is to become a doctor. Being a doctor would not only help people, but it would also help me take care of my family. But, my dream may change in the future. Even if it changes, I will still work hard. I hope that after I graduate, I will have the ability to help my hometown and make it better. I can help it look more beautiful and I can allow my family to have a happy life!

Finally, I wish you happiness and joy every day,

Yong Chun

YN 048 - Li Ping

Dear Doug and Amanda,

First, thank you for helping me continue my studies. I live in a village in Yunnan province. There are six people in my family. I have an older sister who is studying in high school, a younger sister studying in junior high school and a younger brother studying in elementary school. I love studying and hope that I can keep studying in a university. Studying at a university has been my dream since I was a child. I love my parents and all those people who helped me handle difficulties. I will study hard these three years in high school to achieve my dream.

When I was studying in junior high school, I studied very hard so that I could continue to study in high school. But, since my family is so poor my parents could not afford the tuition. I could not study any more. I was so sad and cried at that time. When I learned that you would help me continue my studies, I was so happy. I am determined to study hard in return for your great help and so that I can change my life and have a shining future.

My class at school is united. My classmates are all working hard to pursue their dreams too. “I work hard so that I can be outstanding. I have confidence that I can succeed.” This is my class’ motto and it is also mine. In order to pay back your kindness, I will become an excellent person and change my life.

Every day is a new beginning. I am grateful to have this new beginning when I face the changes in my life. You have changed my future. I hope that I can meet you myself some day and say “Thank you!” face-to-face. Although it is impossible now, I will study hard to make you feel proud and happy.

I want to tell you some good things. I am obedient and I honor my parents at home. I study so hard, that I know I will never disappoint my teachers at school. In their eyes I am a good student.

Christmas is coming and I wish you a Merry Christmas. Although I am in China, I really wish I could meet with you at Christmas. When I am admitted to a university, I think you will be happy, won’t you?

Finally, I wish you blessings of feeling happiness every day and that your work goes smoothly. I won’t fall short of your expectations for me. I will study hard to get even better grades and realize my college dream.

Best wishes to you.

Li Ping

YN 049 - Yong Ju

Dear Julie and John:

Hello! I deeply appreciate your care and support. It makes me feel really happy.

When I was little, I especially envied those children who could carry their school bags to high school. Now, I am honored to have the opportunity to study in this school. I cherish every moment that I can study here and I think that studying is enjoyable.

Unfortunately, my family isn’t wealthy. The only thing I could do was to take every opportunity to learn. I knew I faced the danger of leaving school at any time. When I was in middle school, I studied hard to learn new things. When I reached high school age, I wasn’t happy because I knew I might not have the opportunity to continue my studies. My parents tried to borrow money to allow me to study in high school. This really concerned and troubled me. When I learned that I received your financial support, I gained confidence and felt very happy.

Deng Xiaoping once said this, “Scientific technique is the first productive force.” I think becoming educated is the most important thing I can do if I want to change my life. A person can enrich herself through knowledge and the result is a more successful future.

I think that in the future, I should use my time and efforts to search for more knowledge. And, I should be brave in facing all kinds of problems in my life. I also want to become a person that can help patients and children to ease their pain and to help them grow healthily beneath a sun of love. Becoming a loving doctor has always been my dream. I hope that I can use love to warm people’s hearts.

I wish you will always be healthy.

Merry Christmas!

Knowledge can change destiny.

Yong Ju

YN 050 - Long Juan

Dear XXX Family:

Thank you very much for sponsoring me!

When I was studying in junior high school, the only thing that encouraged me to keep learning and to do my best in everything was that I wanted knowledge to change my destiny. Born into a poor family, I did not complain about anything. On the contrary, I thought it was a blessing because I know that heaven gives challenges to those who have the strength. Maybe heaven is testing my patience and perseverance and I think that this is a priceless treasure to me. Now, I face challenges bravely and try to make myself stronger.

When I received the acceptance letter for senior high school I was glad, but also a little distressed about the tuition. I planned to drop out and make some income for my family, but my parents stopped me and tried to borrow money to pay for my school fees. With all of the difficulties my family has faced, I felt full of contradictions inside.

When I learned that I was one of the people who won a scholarship, I was moved and full of appreciation. This is really significant for a poor student like me. I think I can finish my education and with the support of all of the people in my community, I can break away from poverty and change my family and my village. After the three years of high school, I hope that I can test into an ideal university and return the care you have shown to me by helping others in my community. If everyone can dedicate a little love, the world will be as beautiful as heaven.

May your wishes come true and blessings on your family.

Yours,

Long Juan

YN 051 - Cai Xian

Dear Lily

Hello! I am deeply grateful for the help you have given to me. You have given me the chance to continue studying and allowed me to continue to pursue a fine future full of opportunities. You spread love to humanity and gave aid to others when they were in distress. I will continue to flourish in the spirit you have shown me.

I am from a family with many economic difficulties so I have always had a great desire to learn. I hope that I can graduate from college and reach my goal. During junior high school, I studied and learned things with all of my strength because I wanted to attend this school. It was what I hoped for, so I became well-educated.

When I received the admission notice for this high school, I was glad but also worried that my parents couldn’t afford the tuition. Now, because of your assistance, I can go to this senior high school. I believe that I will study diligently and get into an excellent college with my brilliant grades. I will not disappoint you and waste the support you have shown me. When I graduate, I will use my abilities to make my hometown wealthier and give my aid to those who need my help, just as you have done.

I want to thank you again with my sincere heart and wish you a Merry Christmas!

Cai Xian