Profile: Zhao Xiao Wei
A long journey's end; graduation for one Shanghai Sunrise University student

Zhao Xiao Wei, in the middle, with two fellow Sunrise University students, volunteering at the October Pairing Ceremony

Zhao Xiao Wei, a Shanghai Sunrise student since 1996 is one of the first Shanghai Sunrise University graduates. He feels strongly for other children in the same situation and his message to them is; "Don't give up - everything will be better."

Growing up with his family in Shanghai's Yang Pu district, Wei was only a fourth grader in primary school when his family ran into difficulties and became unable to pay for his schooling. He was then recommended by his teacher to become a Shanghai Sunrise student. His Sunrise sponsor, Linda Shui, took on funding his tuition and food expenses so he could focus on school. This has paid off; Wei went on to become an outstanding high school student and upon graduation was one of a very select few chosen to be sponsored through university as a Sunrise University student.
To be given the chance to study at university was a big step for Wei and his family. "We believe and hope that I will be able to get a better job by continuing to study. ", Wei says. He chose accounting as his major and has now made it to the senior year at the Shanghai Institute of Foreign Trade. After graduation he would like to find a job as an auditor or accountant in a company or with the government.
At university, Wei has not only been studying hard, but is also an active member of the students′ association and elected chairman of the accounting division. He feels he has also learned a lot from engaging in these extra-curricular activities; "Working in the students′ association has helped me prepare for my future career. I have learned and experienced how to work together with other people and [through the chairman position] how to be a leader." To have a good balance between studies and other activities is important to him; "I recommend other students′ to combine their studies with other activities on the side, to go outside, join organisations or take a part time job to improve their personal and professional ability."
Apart from performing well at school, Sunrise University students are also required to help younger Sunrise students by doing community service with Shanghai Sunrise for 40 hours per year. Wei has helped out in a variety of ways; as a translator facilitating the meeting between students and their sponsors at Sunrise pairing ceremonies and as a volunteer at the annual Sunrise students′ picnic. At these occasions he has encountered younger students very much in the same situation as he once was. Wei′s message to these students is "Don't give up - everything will be better."
Now very much on the road to a happy life himself, he remains humble about his own life goals; "I would just like an ordinary, peaceful and happy life, a permanent job to help improve my family's situation and my own life and ultimately to have my own family".
We wish Zhao Xiao Wei and his family all the best for the future.

This article was written with the help of Angela Liu, a volunteer in the Shanghai Sunrise Communications Team.