By Original stories from Lynn, rewritten by Dawn | SOAR Student and Volunteer
Life before meeting SOAR:
My name is Lynn, I was born in a small rural village called Dongchengzhai in Henan Province. As you might heard about Henan, it’s one of the poorest provinces in China. I was the 2nd child of the family. My older brother couldn’t afford college education so he became a peasant. This has been his largest regret in life. I was worried someday I would have to give up school too in order to support my younger brother. Our family’s debts amount were even higher after my mother’s surgery. My grandma has been handicapped for years. Thus, my father couldn’t leave our village to join the migrant workers in cities for higher salary, but stayed in the village planting our tiny humble land of crops and took care of the entire family.
Because of the heavy family financial burden, I only spent $0.5 dollars per day for food at school. I look very skinny and lack of nutrition. Other students often laughed at me for being the “skeleton” of our school. Before meeting SOAR, I was quite confused and felt lost in life. I wanted to attend college, but that’s like a dream far far away from the crucial reality. I was worried and had nightmares that I had to drop out of high school and make a living for the family. Everyday I woke up like a zombie, walking without any directions. I found no meaning for life at all. Luckily enough, because I studied very hard and received high GPAs, SOAR scholarship nominator found me and encouraged me to apply for SOAR scholarships.
Life with SOAR:
With SOAR Scholarships, I no longer starve myself on a daily basis nor worry about no food for dinner while having lunch. With SOAR Scholarships, I know I won’t drop out of school and I will go to college. Not only did SOAR provide financial support for my education, SOAR also provides mentorship. I was self-abased and had no confidence on anything. After joining the SOAR family, I learned there are many other poor students just like me. I no longer felt lonely. SOAR volunteers and donors devoted their time and money helping thousands of poor students in rural China. I have decided for my rest of my life, I will give back to the society and donate to SOAR once I start making money. I will help other poor students just like SOAR helped me.
SOAR - like my flashlight that lightened up my way from the darkest cave hole. Simple words can’t express how grateful I am.
Warmest regards, especially during the global pandemic!
Lynn
Editor’s note:
Lynn is currently waiting for her college entrance exam result. If she applies and qualified, she will get SOAR College Scholarship. Some SOAR students had give up college scholarship application as they wanted to leave the limited fund for other younger students who need scholarships more to finish high school.
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