Plums blossom through bitter cold

 A Chinese proverb says: Swords are sharpened by hard grinds and Plums blossom through bitter cold. I would like to use the essence of this saying to relate how I grew up fighting the darkness; and finally at the end of the tunnel, see light.

I was only few months old when my parents divorced; my mother took along with her all the valuables and since then we have been living in poverty. At the same time, my father also got sick and did not recover until few years later. So, my childhood was much shorter than other kids of my age. However, no hardships would consume my determination to pursue my dreams.

That first day my father walked me to the school gate, he told me something that I will never ever forget: “Destiny can be changed; your fate is in your hands”.

My education was a burden to our already bad financial condition, and the low income of my father would surely not support my school fees, so he would borrow money around, so that I could go to school. Although I was a child I could understand my dad’s situation, so I never asked him for anything. I had decided to rely on myself to pave my way; to use my education to change my fate.

I was in Elementary Two, second term, when our school got some scholarships from SUNRISE. Through a screening, I was allocated a sponsor. That relieved some of the burdens on my father’s shoulder. To him this meant that I will not have to drop-out of school due to lack of money. This was also a turning point for me, because to me this meant that I could concentrate in doing better and get more opportunities. And, I would grab all those opportunities, to climb out of my miseries.

My father taught me many things and would always let me take my own decisions. He was not like other fathers who would prepare everything on a silver plate for their kids; but, he would always support me as things would unfold. He also passed me these thoughts: “Learn to be grateful; and know to give back.”So, at the same time that I had to keep up with the performance at school, I happily went to help other people, and take part in volunteering activities. I would offer all help I could to all those in need. My own conditions were not any better than the people I helped, but doing so my thinking grew mature; I started to understand that there is a deeper meaning to life.

From elementary to secondary school, all along my academic development my teachers always regarded me as a ‘gifted child’. I was interested and would always take initiatives in all kinds of classes and activities. This is because I believe that education is not for only passing examinations, but more for raising our knowledge and moral standards; and also to forge a better personality. By getting more and more deeply involved in activities that I am interested in, I had lot of experiences that made me understand my life and myself better. I also started to participate in all kinds of competitions. Relying on my skills and hard work, I even won some remarkable awards, like the 2nd prize for a nationwide computer competition, again 2nd prize of a Shanghai speech competition, and 3rd prize for Shanghai CAXA design competition. I did these out of interest, but most importantly it was to increase my personal experience.

Every time I write a letter to my sponsor, I would happily share with him all these achievements, because I know if not for him ensuring my educational fees, I would not have been able to concentrate all efforts in my studies and do practice things that I am really interested in doing.

Under the guidance of everyone, I feel I had an uplifting in my moral standards. I had experienced little bit of everything, and I could do little bit of everything. So, be it study or other things, I could come to the help of anyone.

I enjoy writing the most; when I was in high school, one of my essays even got published in the National Golden Award publication. When I saw that publication, my happiness was out of bound. I had written about my understanding of life, also shared with the readers about my family situation and my struggle; trying to inspire others like me.

I still remember when I performed at the speech competition; I again talked about my struggle. Eventually I was nicknamed the ‘Brave Girl’. I believe that there is always a way; however difficult life can be, we should never give up hope. More ever, so many people are supporting me, and encouraging me to strive, I am confident that one day relying on my hard work and education I will be successful and in turn I will help others, even more.