Fund 1000 Scholarships in Rural China for a Year

In this heartwarming report, we are thrilled to introduce you to Jessica, an inspiring SOAR alumna hailing from an ordinary farming family in Jiangxi Province. She was mainly raised up by her grandparents because her parents had to work out of town or in other province to support the life. During her primary school years, she excelled academically and got accepted into two middle schools in her county. Perhaps the indelible image of her parents' tireless efforts was deeply etched in her mind, leading her to ultimately choose the school with fees that were two hundred RMB Yuan less. She was selected as a SOAR Scholarship recipient in 2006, the first year of her middle school.

SOAR is glad to see that Jessica’s journey has taken her from being a nurtured sapling under the care of SOAR to blossoming into a dedicated rural elementary school teacher now in her hometown. Jessica's transformation beautifully encapsulates the profound impact of our collective support, nurturing the growth of talented rural children who now stand strong, ready to nurture the next generation.

As we share Jessica's remarkable journey, we invite you to reflect on the incredible impact of your support. Each contribution, each act of kindness, and each moment of encouragement have collectively led to stories like Jessica's, among the 15,000 students – stories of growth, resilience, and a heartfelt commitment to making a difference.

Here comes her touching letter:

In this vast world, every flower wears the mantle of beauty, and every child radiates an irresistible charm.

My Beloved SOAR Family,

What a heartwarming joy to reconnect with all of you, after a span of 16 years! Earlier this year, while organizing my home, I chanced upon an aged collection of the Student Newsletters from the SOAR Foundation. In that simple moment, a profound realization washed over me – the seemingly random steps I took in the past were actually paving a purposeful path.

I can still vividly recall the response I shared during the interview for the role of a volunteer teacher in the educational support program back in 2020. When queried about my motivations, I replied: " Supporting education has been a dream since my college days. But life's twists and turns kept me from pursuing it. I knew that if I didn't take this step now, my courage might falter in the future." This thought stayed with me, even as I pondered the reasons behind my determination. Beyond my efforts, the true wellspring of this calling remained a mystery.

However, a profound understanding dawned on me when I read an article by Mr. Zhai from the 2007 issue. Towards the end, he wrote, "You are now recipients of the SOAR Scholarship. SOAR expects nothing but hopes you build your virtues, work hard, and grow. In the years to come, when your actions create positive changes, SOAR will feel proud of you and feel greatly rewarded." Back then, I was just a junior high school student, a pivotal phase for shaping my mindset. The quiet strength of SOAR's love and dedication, woven into those words, left an indelible mark. It propelled me to give back to society, to join the university's volunteer service team, to embrace and support underserved children, and ultimately, in 2020, to leave my job and embrace educational support.

Over two transformative years, from 2020 to 2022, my path changed. Through exams, interviews, training, and teaching, I evolved from a novice to a fledgling teacher. The journey was filled with doubts and uncertainties. But with guidance from mentors and colleagues, I found my teaching style, fostering a harmonious learning environment. Those years with the children brought a sense of peace, the ability to find beauty in diverse forms, the strength to overcome teaching challenges, and a vision for the future.

In September 2022, I became a formal teacher at a village primary school in my hometown, teaching Chinese and mentoring second graders. Though the school is small, with just over a hundred students, it's the beginning of my dreams. Our class motto, mentioned at the beginning of this letter, reminds me to be inclusive, care deeply, see beyond the surface, and discover the brilliance within each child.

Seventeen years ago, SOAR planted a seed in my young heart. Over time, it grew roots and flourished. In the years ahead, it will continue to blossom into something beautiful. Now, standing at the crossroads of seventeen years, I aim to be the one who sows seeds, nurtures them with love, and patiently awaits their blossoming.

With heartfelt gratitude,

Jessica