Dear Uncle Wu,

How are you! Thank you very much for your sponsorship.

I come from a single-parent home in a remote mountain village. My mother raised me all by herself, through her sweat and tear. Your generous support not only lightened my mother’s financial burden, but also enabled me to concentrate on my study. I had wanted to quit school to give my mother a hand with some housework. I could help to feed the pigs and chicken; I could warm up the house; I could prepare a pot of hot water and make a hot meal for my mother before she comes back from the farm; I could wipe the sweat off my mother’s face and chat with her. With my help, her stomach would not keep bothering her and the wrinkles on her face would disappear.

I tried to talk about this once when I was home. I can never forget the stern expression on her face when I brought up this subject. I had never seen it before. She remained silent for long time before she finally said, “You should have known better. You disappointed me!” That night I did not sleep. I finally understand everything. I understand why my mother worked so hard day and night. I understand why my mother would not let me know that she was ill. She does not want to distract me from my study. Although my mother never went to school, she understands that "knowledge improves fate, education leads to better future". Since then, I am determined to study. Every month, my mother would give me a few dozen yuan for my living expense. It is so difficult every time for me to accept her hard-earned money and this makes me more determined to study hard.

If you see a lonely figure during class recess, away from her classmates, watching them talking, laughing and playing, wishing to be able to play just like them, that would be me. I know I am different. They have fatherly love. They probably do not need to worry about their own future. I do not want to compete and compare with them. If I can get good grades, I can take comfort and tell myself, “you are the best!”

Dear uncle, it is said that a good seed will not waste itself rotting in the ground. It will keep faith, absorb nutrient from nature, take root, break out of ground into glorious sunshine and produce the most beautiful flowers. I believe I can! I believe one day, somewhere, I will have a small world of my own where I will be the happy and confident myself, and I will be able to help a girl just like myself with love.

Thank you very much for your love and care. Love and care are like keys, gently open people’s heart and soul so they can communicate. Thank you for letting me know that the world is full of love. Thank you for making the world a warm and loving place.

Best Wishes!

Chen Yi Sheng Mao