By Betty Chou

A sister from North America told me that her family recently decided to reduce the number of meals they ate at restaurants so that they could save up and use the money to finance the tuition for 2 impoverished students. While this may seem like a small act, we are deeply moved! It is precisely through many of these small contributions to the Go and Love Foundation that when brought together, can change the lives of many young people!

This year, we supported a total of 150 high school and college students in need. Some overseas Chinese not only donate money, but they also dedicate time and energy to partner with Go and Love to do student work. Summer and winter, year after year, they team up with Go and Love and go to China. In addition to the one-on-one interviews with the students, they also do teaching and visit their homes. Often times, when they meet with particularly poor families, they will even give money out of their pockets to them. Why are these generous friends so willing to give? One of the volunteers, Dr. Wang, told me that seeing the students’ mindset grow and change inspired him to continue to support this ministry.

Based on Go and Love’s motto, “to value each life and to cherish every soul,” we have set up a poverty relief program called “Light the Way” to give children who lack resources a chance to receive an education. For over a decade, I personally witnessed that the poverty relief program not only reduces the financial burden of the poor families but also changes the fate of so many children. This program brought forth hope to the children by having a chance to receive an education.

Children from affluent families in the cities grow up under the nurturing care of many people. They are rich in resources and have plenty of food, clothing, and toys. They do not lack anything. Parents will pick-up and drop-off their children at school and take them to various after-school activities. It is hard to imagine a group of rural children living a totally different life. In contrast, these children’s parents work far from home all year round, which leaves the children to bear the family’s burden at an early age. If no one lends a helping hand, where is their future? Where is their hope?

This summer, two Go and Love staff members and I visited three locations in the Yunnan Province including Tengchong, Shuangjiang and Yingjiang to audit the financial aid program. In addition to learning about the circumstances of each student and their family’s financial situations, we also aimed to understand their individual needs. For example, when I spoke with a student during the audit process, I learned that her sister was admitted to a university this year, but she didn’t apply for financial aid. For a family that is so economically impoverished, it is impossible for both children to attend university at the same time. The chance of her sister to attend a university is zero. After learning about this, I encouraged her sister to apply for financial aid and she gratefully accepted the application form.

In order to strengthen these students’ self-confidence, I give them words of encouragement every time I see them. This time I taught them to say “I am special!” in English. I believe the Creator specially created each one of these students!

One of the students wrote this response:

“Grandma Chou, this lesson about how “I Am Special!” has inspired me today and gave me some new insights about myself. In the past, I always felt that I was alone. When I face the world, I tend to be a little timid and shy. Sometimes I’m afraid that I’m not worthy of others, but now I recognize my strengths and the things that make me unique. I previously thought that if a person has a very special trait, that trait should be easy for others to see. I didn’t see my own special traits, but I learned that many small special traits contribute to making a person special.

On the way home, I kept thinking why the same sentence in Chinese doesn’t carry the same inspiring effect as in English? “I am special!” Is nothing more than “我很特別”. After spending 2 hours thinking about it, I did find some differences. I believe that it may be because I am just used to seeing those Chinese characters, which led me to blindly accept those words without ever thinking much about the meaning. When we blindly accept things without doing seriously thinking on our own, it is impossible to truly learn.

Grandma Chou, thank you! I’m thankful for each time you come; you share such thoughtful words and continue to show your love for us. I also want to thank Go and Love Foundation for providing financial aid to us poor students!”

Several students sponsored by Go and Love Foundation also say that they want to pass on such love. I firmly believe that the friends of Go and Love don’t seek anything in return. Not only are they willing to support more rural children to have an education, but they also build these young people to become confident, fearless, responsible, thankful and gracious adults.

Every young life is so special and full of potential. Don’t let poverty cover their brilliance! Supporters of Go and Love Foundation have hearts filled with love. I sincerely hope that more friends will participate in the Light the Way Financial Aid Program. I deeply feel this is the most worthwhile investment!

Please take part in the Special Love For a Special “Them”.