HuaQiao Foundation First Lotus University Scholarships

July 25, 2006

From Left: Zhang Wen-Jing, Zhang Quan, Yin Yong-Chun, HuaQiao Foundation President Mr. Frank Yih, Fu You-Zhi and Zhang Guo-Qing

Self Introduction

No.1 Fu YouZhi

HuaQiao Foundation President Mr. Yih presents College Lotus Scholarships to Fu You-Zhi

My name is Fu YouZhi, I was born in LiXin, one of the poorest towns in China’s Anhui Province. There are six members in my family: my parents, my sister, two brothers and I. My siblings are all married. My father is fifty-eight years old, and my mother is fifty-five years old. They are often sick; they look so old.

I am a lucky dog because I met the volunteers, especially Yin YongChun. They have changed my life. Although my family has RMB 50,000 in debt, my parents still encourage me to continue my studies. In the past, I have wanted to give up my education because it hurt me to see my parents so tired. But I could not. I knew only in this way could I change our living condition. I do not want to let my parents down, I do not want to let my teachers down, and, most importantly, I do not want to let myself down.

My dream is to attend a university for an advanced education. I want to help as many children as possible, children like me. I want to be like the volunteers, to devote my life to the world. I will try my best to realize my dream. (written by Fu You-Zhi)

No. 2 Zhang Guo-Qing

HuaQiao Foundation President Mr. Yih presents College Lotus Scholarships to Zhang Guo-Qing

Before I met Yin YongChun, I was undisciplined and unhappy. By the time I was fifteen, I was fast becoming a troublemaker. I blamed my family for my problems. I thought that if my family had been wealthy, I would have been able to do a lot of “great” things; but because we were poor, I thought I was nothing. I did not like my family. I learned things that which should not be learned by a teenager. I drank, smoke, fought with others… In those days, I forgot to study. In my mind, university was a distant bubble that I could never touch.

Fortunately, Mr. Yin and many other volunteers appeared. They changed my life. They have not only taught me lots of knowledge but also given me something more important. Yin YongChun opened the door to my future and let me know that I could have my dreams and realize them through hard work. I came to understand that my family condition was not a barrier to success. My life was mastered by myself. Slowly, hope returned to my heart, and I worked harder and harder to catch my dreams.

I know I am lucky because I have the chance to go to university. This is the first year in the history of my village that students have been admitted to university.

I believe that I can reach more and more marvels in the future, so long as I have faith.
(written by Zhang Guo-Qing)

No.3 Zhang Quan

Like many other kids the same age, I, Zhang Quan, was born into a normal family in the 1980’s. My parents are both farmers. In the past twenty years, my family has lived in ZhangDa Village, ZhangChun Town, LiXin County, Anhui Province, for generations. However, in the recent two

HuaQiao Foundation President Mr. Yih presents College Lotus Scholarships to Zhang Quan

years, in order to support my younger sister and me in continuing our studies, my father has left to make money in the city. My older sister discontinued her study in her grade nine and is making a living in Zhejiang province, leaving my mother alone at home.

Home is a place that brings me both happiness and sadness. My parents gave me a healthy body, but my circumstances gave me a lonely, eccentric soul. All day long, my parents quarrel. The cold hearts, freezing irony and burning ridicule of others had made me, as a child, blind to sincerity, kindness and beauty. What I only saw was people’s undisguised selfishness. Hypocrisy, indifference and selfishness were my definition of human nature. Hence a tiny, pure and unreserved heart turned inward in despair.

When I was in the ninth grade, I met a new and different group: volunteers. They appeared in completely new spirits; they insisted on love and selfless dedication, and they taught us how to be good people. My distrust of the society was had been deep, but after one year... two years..., three years... I slowly changed my perspectives. I learned to analyze problems from different points of view. When I stepped out from the darkness that I had imposed upon myself, I discovered a whole new world. By knowing helplessness and understanding forgiveness, I was changed.

Circumstances are very important to a person’s upbringing. In fact, I would say that it is a person’s circumstances that raises them. But people can be changed through education and psychotherapy. That is why I want to learn psychology—to help others leave behind their suffering. I found that many children in my hometown have all kinds of psychological problems. It is likely that children in many other remote, poor countries—where there is a lack of education--are also confronted with the same problems. I have always been interested in psychology, and my desire to help the poor with psychological problems has firmed my conviction.

The way ahead is long; I see no end. Yet high and low, I’ll search with my will unbending.
(translated by Jill Ji)

No. 4 Zhang Wen-Jing

My name is Zhang Wen-Jing and I am from a farmer family. There are six members in my family: my grandmother, my parents, my older sister who has discontinued her study, my older brother and I. My older brother and I were both admitted to the universities this year.

HuaQiao Foundation President Mr. Yih presents College Lotus Scholarships to Zhang Wen-Jing

More fortunately, I met them: the volunteers. After living long in poverty, people also become poor in spirit. Volunteers and Teacher Yin Yong-Chun brought not only knowledge but also confidence and courage. I still remembered that when the volunteers first came, they asked us a question “who thinks that he or she can go to university in the future?” To their great surprise, no one raised their hand, Even our best student in the class was pessimistic. Maybe it is just like what the story says: an eagle living among chickens will never fly if he does not find himself. They continued to encourage us, impelling us with stories about the impoverished struggling to achieve great success. They washed our heads with knowledge and threw away our pessimism.

When I was in the 11th grade, I was not in good health and was often sick. Every time, it was Teacher Shi and Teacher Cao that took me to see a doctor. Their love moved me deeply. I also received a lot help from the big sisters and big brothers of the University of Science and Technology of China and many other warm-hearted people. I told myself that I should repay them for their dedication. I think to go to university and be a good person is the best way to reimburse them.

Teacher Yin often taught us how to be an upright person. Here is a piece of advice he had for us: “It is your luck if you are helped; it is justice of fate if you are not. No one must do something for you, because your life belongs to yourself. You should be responsible for yourself, no matter how hard life will be.”

In my opinion, if a person is only rich in spirit; if he never gives up and keeps an unshakeable faith and a grateful heart; whether or not he is successful--he is worth our respect.

I always believe in that “no mountains are higher than human beings, no roads too long for feet,” The future is mastered by my own hands. (translated by Jill Ji)

Submitted by
Jill Ji
Project Admin
HuaQiao Foundation
www.huaqiaofoundation.org

Tel: 021 62085514
Mobile: 13816945273
Email: hellojihui@gmail.com

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