My name is Kong Wei Xiang, a middle schooler from the YunNan province. My house resides in a small village. We have two dilapidated wooden rooms, my parents are farmers. Every year, we rely on my mother to grow potatoes and corn for survival. Sometimes, when we can’t even pay the basic book fees, I decided that I would no longer go to school. Yet, my parents adamantly refused. They would do anything for me to continue my education. After that, I would never say I would no longer go to school again. In 2014, as my family and I were excitedly preparing for the new year celebrations, our only phone brought us bad news. My brother’s left foot had broken from a car accident. My parents were scared and borrowed a car to find my brother. They accompanied him to the hospital in the city.
I was sent to a nearby aunt to spend the new year. When I saw the happiness and warmth of their family, I began to silently cry. Because we couldn’t have enough money to pay for my brother’s hospital bills, my mother asked all of our neighbors to borrow money. I asked my mom to let me go work in the city to pay for our bills. She adamantly refused, as education can only further my life. We borrowed money from our neighbors. I watched my parents’ faces lined with anxiety and worry. Now, we have become better, yet are still stuck within poverty.
After this incident, I worked as hard as possible for school. Out of the entire county, I was 27th place with my grades. I ran to my mom in excitement and she was overjoyed. After middle school began, I’ve been continuing to work hard. In the past semester, I received 105 marks on my math test, 107 for language arts, 102 for english, 94 for physics, and was ranked 20th in my grade. But, I know this is still not enough. I must continue working hard as I grow older. I strive to test into a high school with lower tuition so that my parents don’t have to worry so much about providing for my education.
I want to thank my teachers and Givology donors. Because of you, I don't have to worry about paying for school lunch and fees.
Thank you so much. In the future, I will only grow to work harder. I will make money with my college education and in turn, donate to kids like me in these mountain villages. I will help others to grow even if they live in poverty.
