Jijue’s (17) opportunity to study through our One More Year (OMY) Scholarship Program gives her parents a lot of pride. She is the eldest daughter who grew up in a poor family of six. Both her parents are blue-collar workers: her father is a construction worker, while her mother is a cook at a kindergarten in Meigu County. Her father confessed that he is illiterate and could not even write his own name, hence encouraging their daughter to stay in school. To her parents, going to school means she will never stir pots for strangers like her mother does or mix cement like her father—both very dignified jobs, yet they believe their child could do more with the opportunities she has been given.
When we visited their home, we were welcomed into a simple yet tidy house. Despite the residential space being a rental, the family treats the home like their own. It looks the way it is because Jijue frequently helps with the household chores. Not only that, she looks after her younger siblings when her parents are busy at work. She is quite shy, introverted, yet polite, but she handles herself and everything around her with care and gentleness.
Jijue dreams of becoming a teacher in her hometown. She has seen and lived the difficulty of having desire to study, but was almost held back due to poverty. She has seen the other children in her hometown with curiosity shining in their eyes, waiting to be illuminated by knowledge. Through her ambitions, we can see how much Jijue cares. The dreams she makes are in service of others: her family and poor children.
It truly is fulfilling to help girls like Jijue. Through people like her, we believe in the ripple effect. The good things we do will find their way to more people who need them.
Be a Part of the Solution
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.
