A dismal little room with clay walls, one small table and some tools, a small bed, this was my house when I came to this world. I was born in a poor village, and was sealed with "the poor" when I was born. When I was three years old, my mother got away from my father and me since she could not tolerate the poverty. From then on, my life became more miserable than ever before. In my father's entire life, he has tried every way to make some money, such as growing grain, beans, working in towns nearby as a porter, but my family still could not get away from the poverty.
I was not able to go to school as my peers because my father could not afford it. I was so envious of those
who were able to go to school. Many times I followed far behind them going to the school. Standing against the window of the classroom, I looked into the classroom and listened to the teacher. I so enjoying those moments.
Eventually, my father sent me to the school with a load of corn. I understand that my first class was as significant as that load of corn, even though that school could only offer lessons for the first and second grades. I started doing housework such as doing laundry and cooking before I was able to go to school. I studied diligently, was granted very good points, and won my teachers' admiration and respect.
When I was in my first grade, my grandmother fell down from a little attic in my house and got injured seriously. It took us a lot to cure my grandmother. In my second grade, my father's leg was broken by a falling tree when he was logging for a living. That was the most miserable period in my life. My family has entered into heavy debt since then.
When I finished my second grade, I had to go to another school which was five kilometers away from my house. For four years, I had to walk that far to go to school and ate only one meal every day. My father's leg recovered later. When I was eleven years old, my father became an out-of-town worker in order to save money for my brother and me to go to middle school.
I graduated from elementary school with the highest honors and grades in my county and was accepted by the only key middle school in my county. On my way to the middle school, my father warned me to study hard, that was his only desire for me. Three years later, I graduated from the county key middle school and was accepted into the city key high school.
Although the county key high school had offered me wonderful policies, my father insisted that I should go to the city key high school to receive the best education. He was willing to sell everything he had to afford for me to be educated. My father had little education, yet he knew the importance of knowledge. He did not want his daughter to live the same life as he did.
My father passed away when I was a junior in high school, and I lost my only support. He died owing. He worked too hard to take a break, which seriously hurt his liver and consequently, his liver function failed. Fortunately, I got an assistantship with the great help from my head teacher. I finished my study in high school and was accepted by Guangxi Medical University. I enrolled in a seven-year program of clinical medicine.
I was happy because I realized my father's dream; meanwhile, I was sad as I did not know how I was going to be am able to afford my study. I was very grateful, that I received a college student loan and finished my first year of study. I have applied for another batch of loans for my sophomore year, but the loan I got is not enough to pay my schooling bill. My brother is an apprentice and gets little pay, so he is not able to help me. My two uncles have their families to afford, and it is hard for them to help me. I understand, it is costly to study in medical school, and maybe this major is not suitable when considering my economic situation. But I believe, since I have chosen this way, I am willing to stand on my dream, pursue and realize it.
I wish I could get any help so I could walk further.
Lan Hua
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Lan Hua is always willing to volunteer to help others. |
Blessing Hands began to sponsor her last year, but Lan Hua needs a sponsor to see her through to graduation from Guangxi Medical University in 2019. Her scholarship from Blessing Hands is $650 for the year. Investing in Hua would help many people in the future. She is a selfless person, who is willing to help others and volunteer.