Letting No College Student Drop out of School Due to Poverty

Some students from poor families have to quit school for not having enough money for tuition fees. Fortunately, care and compassion from the society gave them a helping hand. This year, some freshmen from poor families in eastern China's Xuzhou entered colleges with the help of the society and favorable policies. The local government says it has fulfilled its commitment of letting no college student drop out of school due to poverty.

On August 6, 19-year-old girl Dang Chao was overwhelmed by a surprise and happiness. When she decided to give up the opportunity of going to college for the second time, she received a special gift, a donation of 1,000 yuan or 130 US dollars, and a hand-written letter from Xu Ming, a local official in Xuzhou.

In the letter, Xu Ming encouraged her to be tough when facing difficulties. He asked Dang Chao to gain knowledge and be the master of her destiny, and told her that there would be bright sunshine after the storm.

Dang Chao majored in dancing in Xuzhou Culture and Art School. Three years ago, her mother suffered from aplastic anemia. In the same year her father died of a heart attack. After her father passed away, Dang Chao and her mother had to live on minimum living allowance for their livelihood.

In the summer of 2006, Dang Chao wanted to apply for Nanjing Arts Institute. But just before submitting the application, she gave up her dream, realizing her family couldn't afford the tuition fees.

Dang Chao worked part-time the following year. She took the entrance examination this year and applied for Nanjing Arts Institute. While receiving the letter of acceptance, Dang Chao's delight soon turned into grief.

Dang Chao's misfortune was reported by the media, and attracted Xu Ming's attention. He donated 1,000 yuan to her and called for the whole society to care for poor college students in an open letter to the media. He also pledged that the government would take effective measures to ensure no college student will be left outside the school gate due to poverty.

Donations from all sectors of the society were delivered to Dang Chao. Dang Chao said she was deeply touched.

"There are so many people caring for poor students like me, and contributing quietly for the realization of our dreams to go to college. Like other college students, we have a longing for a bright future, and are full of confidence to change our lives. Other than that, we have got more spiritual support and enjoyed the love and warmth from the society."

A drive for caring for poor college students kicked off earlier this year. Xuzhou's Youth League Committee and Project Hope Office jointly held an activity to aid poor college students. Four hundred and seventy seven freshmen each received a financial aid of 4,000 yuan, or around 500 US dollars.

Chen Guanhua, secretary of the Youth League Committee, said the activity has been held for three consecutive years. Over the last two years, a total of 800,000 yuan, or more than 100,000 US dollars, were raised to help some 230 poor students finishing their college study.

This year, the activity focused on meeting young students' practical needs. Train tickets, telephone cards and cloths were provided for them.

The activity has drawn warm responses from all sectors of the society. Many companies and entrepreneurs actively lent a hand to these poor students.

They include members of the Youth Chamber of Commerce, representatives of the Ten Outstanding Young Persons in Xuzhou, and the Youth Federation.

Cao Yaobing is one of them.

"We don't merely feel compassion for the students who are competent to receive higher education but have to quit school due to poverty. With this opportunity, we should further carry forward the activity, calling forth a social atmosphere of donating money to the needy students."

Meanwhile, banking institutions have also joined to help these students. Tongshan joint credit cooperative began to grant loans to local students earlier this year. College students can apply to rural credit cooperatives or banks for interest-free loans.

Zhang Xiaodong is with the Tongshan Credit Cooperative.

"The loans will be directly remitted to the bank accounts in their colleges, making the best use of the money. The move will put into practice the state's favorable policies, and ensure that the money won't be diverted to any other purposes."

In order to relieve the students' worries about expenditure in their school life, the local government has asked colleges to exempt fees for poor students and give them priority when offering students part time jobs. (CRIENGLISH.com)