Our One More Year Scholarship Program (OMY) partners with Shenzhen Charity Federation to support 500 qualified girls (and some boys) for “One More Year” in senior high school. If they are successful in meeting the scholarship requirements, we will continue to support them until they graduate. One of those girls is Mei* (16).
In Mei’s household, her father is the main provider. He is responsible for farming and raising livestock at home, while her mother’s main role is to manage the household. Occasionally, she also takes on casual labor in construction sites of tobacco farms. While her parents are industrious, the money they make is only enough to support her and her two older siblings’ education. Their situation is fragile enough that when one of them gets sick, their entire household’s financial situation collapses.
Before visiting Mei’s home, we were able to communicate with her via WeChat, and we got the impression that she is a lively and bubbly girl. When we arrived, we were welcomed by a shy and reserved Mei, far from the impression she gave us online. She was waiting for us at the door, and although timid, she invited us in. Her brother and father were very warm towards us. The house was simple, but neatly kept.
We learned that the livestock that their father takes care of is their main income source. They have 80 sheep, 9 pigs, and 18 chickens. Every day, the parents devote their time to working hard and providing the best education for their children. Mei’s father’s only hope is that Mei and her siblings would study hard and eventually secure a dignified job—far away from the life he had. He shares that he had not had the chance to pursue his studies when he was younger, but he is trying his best. If he had the same opportunities as his children had, he would do more than what he is doing now.
The father also mentioned that Mei’s sister has suffered from a condition called allergic purpura. Although she has recovered, they still need to have routine check-ups at the hospital.
We turned to Mei and asked her about her experience studying. Now more warmed up and less shy, she shared that she only returns home during school holidays, about three days per month. The trip from school to her home takes about 3 hours and costs 15 yuan. On holidays, she helps her parents with household chores to allow them some rest. With the assistance provided by this project, she no longer needs to ask her parents for most of her living expenses.
One touching thing we observed is how much she loves and appreciates her father. She said she feels honored to have such a supportive and understanding father, who motivates her to strive harder in everything she does. She dreams of becoming a teacher, preferably in her own village, to be close to her parents and help girls like herself.
When we were about to leave, Mei smiled and thanked us for the assistance we provided for her studies. There, we saw a hint of the lively girl we knew from WeChat, and we said goodbye with the warmth of that smile in our hearts.
*Name is changed for privacy.
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RMB 3,200 | USD 40 a month is all it takes to keep a girl in school for ONE MORE YEAR, giving her the chance to learn, grow, and succeed.
Sponsor a girl today and invest in her future.
