FOCAL POINTS

From FARS Students

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ESS receives many letters from FARS students each year. They tell us how the students are doing in school, how their families live, and how FARS has helped them continue their schooling. The students are full of appreciation and gratitude for the support they have received, and especially for the love and care from the sponsors who have helped them get through difficult periods of their lives. They are inspired to work hard so that they, in turn, can contribute to society in the future.

Following is a sample of the letters we have received. 

A Student's Autobiography

My Name is Zhang Hongyu, born in June, 1993. I have one elder sister and one sister who came to this world together with me. The arrival of boy and girl twins brought a lot of joy and happiness to my poor family. My twin sister and I started school together. I was the class leader and always did well in my studies.

Misfortune came to our family the day after my twelfth birthday. Acute cerebral edema took my father's life. He closed his eyes unwillingly, leaving us with his unfulfilled hopes for our future.  At the same time, he left my mother with all the responsibilities and hardships for our family. Seeing my mom's sorrow and suffering, I wished I could have grown up faster to share her worries. I took up tasks to help my mom sell vegetables after school, and did odd jobs during school holidays to supplement the family's income.

I also participated in many school activities. I was a member of the school club for performing arts, and was also on the sports committee of my class. I played basketball games and participated in Chinese chess competitions.  In high school I continued to be a class leader, helped the teacher carry out many functions, and earned the respect of my classmates.

Just before I began my last year of high school, I was touched by a remark my mom made -- "If both you and your twin sister are admitted to college at the same time, how can we afford it?" I thought to myself, "How could I leave my mom, in poor health and with so much debt, at home by herself?" I decided to quit school to work in a barbecue shop, so that I could earn some money for my two sisters' schooling. When my mom found out, she got hold of my teacher, and both of them spent hours talking to me, persuading me to go back to school. Understanding my mom's hopes for me, I returned to school.

This year I was admitted to Changjiang University. Seeing my mom's exhilaration and tears of joy for my achievement, I could hardly express how I felt -- excited, yet sad and anxious at the same time. I am determined to work hard in my days ahead, for the sake of my mom, for the people who have helped me, and for society. 

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A Letter of Appreciation

I am a student in my second year of high school with a scholarship from the Raybin Q. Wong Foundation (a FARS sponsor).  First of all, I would like to express my appreciation and respect for my school advisors for the support, encouragement and opportunity given to me.

High school is a critical stage in life.  If I did not receive support from the Raybin Q. Wong Foundation, my school days would have been very different.  Today, I can say proudly to everyone that I have an exciting and wonderful high school life, I have not wasted my days, and I have not disappointed my parents and teachers. I will continue through high school with thankfulness and appreciation for the support I have received.

There is an old saying: "A benevolent person understands that it is a virtue to remember to pay back a gift. A drop of water should be repaid with an ever-flowing fountain of gratitude."  I am full of gratitude for the support and encouragement from the Raybin Q. Wong Foundation, and I would simply say, "Thank you!"

I may not be beautiful, I may not be a flower, but with your love and care, I wouldn't mind being a leaf.  Today, I am surrounded by love and attention. Tomorrow I wouldn't mind becoming soil to protect the new buds coming out of the ground.  I will be strong and brave to cross all the barriers, so that I, in turn, will be able to contribute to society.

Yesterday was in the memory path. Today the sun has risen. In the warmth of the sunlight I will continue to study hard so that tomorrow will be even more beautiful than today. The path to the future will bear witness to my courage and confidence. With passion and persistence I will create the best for tomorrow!

Thank you all, from the bottom of my heart!

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