Song and Addie
Song lives in a mud brick home with no running water or electricity. Still she studied chemistry, physics, math, politics, Chinese and even English for the high school entrance exams and received the highest score in the history of her township. Song was accepted into the best high school in her county but knew that her family could not afford the tuition.
When she was told that she had received a scholarship from a young girl in the United States, she wrote:
"Now, I have become a student at this school. Every morning, in order to get better grades, I get up early and stay up until midnight. Fortunately, I got your help. It made me find my confidence again. I will remember you forever."
"At last, I want to say don't worry about my grades, I am trying my best to do well in every subject. I don't think you will be disappointed."
Eight-year-old Addie road her bike from the border of Massachusetts to the border of Maine. In one day, she raised enough money to send Song to school for all three years.
Min Tao and Grant
Dear Grant,
My name is Tao. When I was in middle school, I knew I might not be able to attend high school because my family was too poor. But I really wanted to go to school, so I told myself that I should at least try to get accepted even if I couldn't go in the end.
Then, I got a summer job out of town. Later, my sister called and told me that I was admitted to the best school in our county. I was so happy that I cried. I asked my father with tears in my eyes if I could continue to go to school and my father asked me,
"Do you want to go to school?"
"Yes, very much indeed!", I cried!
"Then I will do my best to help you go to high school!" my father answered.
Now, I am back at school. I believe that if I work hard, I can finally be something and change my life forever. Dear Grant, I am very grateful for your help. I think I am the luckiest girl among the 1.3 billion Chinese. I am very happy that I have come into contact with you, such a good man. A good man will have a good life.
I wish you happiness every day!
Nine-year-old Grant played his guitar in Portsmouth, New Hampshire's Market Square. In one day, he raised enough money to send Min Tao to school for an entire year.
Grant still has excitement in his voice when he talks about his accomplishment. This experience seems to have empowered him; now, he knows that he can make a difference in the world. Grant has big plans for next summer as he wonders out loud what he could do if he played for ten days...
Xie xie (Thank you) Grant!
Zhi and Allison
Zhi lives in rural Guangdong. She was accepted into the best high school in her county, but knew that her family could not afford the tuition. Zhi had left home and was working in a factory when she was told that a young girl in the US had given her a scholarship. She wrote to nine-year-old Allison to thank her and to tell her story:
"When I was in primary school, we needed to buy the school uniform. Back then, both of my parents were working in factories away from home and only my grandma was home with me. My grandma asked my parents to send back some money to buy the uniform for me, but my parents said that they didn't have the money at the time. I was so worried that I cried. Finally, a teacher paid for the uniform for me. I will never forget her."
"Now, I have received a scholarship from you and I was really moved and grateful. With your generous help, I can realize my dreams. Let me sincerely say thank you again."
Last Summer, nine-year-old Allison (in pink) sold lemonade, cookies and brownies in front of her house. She raised enough money to send Zhi to school for an entire year. Allison said,
"People don't think kids can make a difference, but we really can."
