FOCAL POINTS

From FARS Sponsors

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Many of the contributors to the FARS program started to support the students when they were in elementary schools. They often continued their support for the same students until the students graduated from college or completed the school program. At the end of each school year, ESS sends to the sponsors a package of information about each student, including his/her grades, living conditions and letter of appreciation.  Many of the sponsors know the students very well.  

ESS also receives letters from sponsors about their experience with the students they have sponsored. Recently, a contributor told ESS that she received wedding pictures from one of the students she had sponsored through college. It was a very rewarding experience for her to see the student becoming a healthy individual and now starting her own family.

Last year, another contributor visited the student he had sponsored. Following is the letter he sent to ESS reporting on the memorable visit.

A letter from a contributor

       Pay It Forward

        by Zehao Zhou and Rebecca Zhou, York, Pennsylvania

 

The visit resulted from a recent Christmas card that our family received from Miss Lu Mengna, a Nancheng Middle School student whom we sponsored through ESS. In a message attached to her card, Miss Lu expressed her appreciation for the support she had received from us and then added, "Although I can probably never pay you back for what you have done for me, I will pay it forward and relay your love to others that may need my help in the future."   It was this statement that prompted us to visit this student and her school, because the value reflected in this statement happens to be among the ones that our family cherishes the most. We were delighted that one of the students that we sponsored also shares our value and decided to meet this student in person.On June 21 and 22, 2012, we visited Nancheng Middle School of Qingshen County in Sichuan province. Through the Education Science Society (ESS), our family has recently sponsored some students in that school, but this is the first time we paid an on-site visit to meet the students in person.

We were well received by both the teachers and students at Nancheng Middle School. Principal Lei Jianying went out of her way to make us feel welcomed and at home. She also organized two forums for us to talk to the teachers and students respectively. At the suggestion of Assistant Principal Liang, Rebecca Zhou interacted with many students in an English class. She was able to conduct a cross-cultural science experiment on creativity with many students in that school as well.

We were pleased to meet all four students we have sponsored through ESS. We were especially grateful to Principal Lei and her staff for arranging a visit to Miss Lu Mengna's home, where we were well received by Miss Lu and her family.

Local television station came to the school and taped some of the events.  Several officials from the local Education Bureau were also present and extended their welcome.

The reception we received far exceeded our expectations. We would like to extend our thanks to ESS for facilitating this trip. We are especially grateful to Principal Lei, her colleagues, and members of Qingshen community for making this visit such a memorable and rewarding experience.

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