As a young boy talented Xiao Jian yearned to study Opera and Theater. His wishes came true with the help of hard work, supportive parents and two Shanghai Sunrise sponsors. Now Xiao Jian is not only living his dream but he is helping other Shanghai Sunrise students to follow theirs.


Xiao Jian felt “fortunate and lucky” when, in the 6th grade, he became a Shanghai Sunrise student. Throughout his school years in Shanghai Peking Opera School and at the prestigious Shanghai Theatre Academy he had two sponsors, both of whom he became fond of. Today he still affectionately calls them “Godmother” and “Uncle”. Xiao Jian says that “the relationship with my sponsors was not only financial, they also   helped me socially and emotionally, and we became life-long friends”.
   

Xiao Jian is now employed as an Educational Facilitator and Technical Supervisor at the Performing Arts Center of the Shanghai American School. And yet his journey is still an ongoing one, though now he is not traveling alone. Having learned firsthand the power of education, he has now taken the unselfish and generous task of becoming a Shanghai Sunrise sponsor himself. When asked what his wishes are for his sponsored students, he says “I hope for them to pursue a good life, instead of a successful life” and he goes on to explain, “What is successful? Only one’s self can define it. So, by good life I mean a healthy, happy life”.