LRS Care: Lina

Lina as a teenager, when we first met her.

After being cured from congenital heart disease, Lina achieved her dream to attend college.

​Lina has a new perspective on life after we helped cure her congenital heart disease. Before she had heart surgery in 2010, the 11th grader in rural China had lost hope for the future. She had suffered 17 years with congenital heart disease, but her family couldn’t afford treatment.

After the successful surgery we made possible, she became more positive and confident. She even volunteered as a teacher at our summer camp for post-surgery children, giving back in gratitude for the support she had received. Three years later, she fulfilled her dream to go to college. Lina will graduate in 2016, which is a significant milestone for a female who has overcome heart disease and impoverished conditions. Now she looks forward to the future ahead of her.

We're so proud of her accomplishments, and we've enjoyed staying in touch with her. Read below what she's shared with us from her life in college.

---

May 3, 2016: One Step Closer

Here comes a new month, indicating that I am one more step closer towards graduation… and towards unemployment.

I recently took an employment training course, after the graduation exam. The severe unemployment situation has made me feel very melancholy. A lot of graduates from last year still cannot find work. There is a lot of competition for even the position of a village teacher.

When I chose my education major, a lot of people were wanting to be teachers. For example, there was a great lack of preschool teachers. But now various new policies are being implemented in order to solve the problem of the lack of teachers. These non-professional arrangements also pose a threat to us… Even so, I still must put forth the effort I should put forth.

---

April 21, 2016: Will I Pass the Checkup?

Recently, I’ve been applying for a teaching certification. One of the requirements is a physical checkup. I’ve always had a fear of hospitals. My heart was racing as I walked through the hospital doors.

When checking my pulse, the doctor told me that my heart rate was a little too fast. I told him that it was because I ran down from the second floor and was a little nervous. I also told him that I had undergone heart surgery. The doctor looked at my surgery wound, asked me the type of surgery I underwent, and told me that normally I should not have any problems if I already had the surgery. He let me pass the physical checkup.

For my physical checkup during my freshman year of college, the doctor asked if I underwent surgery immediately after I stood on the equipment for my chest x-ray. For my checkup today, the doctor did not say anything, so I assume that I have completely healed. Everything else is normal as well! My vision is 5.1. 

---

April 18, 2016: Around Campus, Amazon Promotion for LRS

Lina has a kind, generous heart to help others and give back. She even helped us promote our cause on AmazonSmile by posing with this sign around her campus. 

---

April 3, 2016: Spring Has Come to My Beautiful Campus

​Recently the weather has been great, and the campus is filled with the sweet scent of flowers. My classmates and I have been walking around in our spare time, taking photos and hoping to capture the beauty within our school!

The other scenery shots failed to upload but all the portraits loaded fine. Is it because of my beauty?

---

February 28, 2016: The Village I Live In

My house is located in a small village in Gansu, Pingliang. People who live here construct their houses by themselves with their farmlands in front of their houses. Before, there used to be land on the mountains. Later, the government advocated for trees to be planted on the land to create forests. On the farmland, we usually plant some wheat, rice, beans, and other staple crops. Due to road construction done a few years ago, there have been many land acquisitions, resulting in a shortage of land among the villagers.

My house is among these village homes, near a hospital. ​Although it appears that the whole village has no color, when spring comes, there will be many flowers. It will be very beautiful as the barley will begin to turn green.

After this season is over and the barley begins to turn green, we will begin to fertilize the plants.

As the weather is getting warmer, people are starting to look for jobs beyond the village. Everyone is worried about finding a good job. This includes my family too. My parents are both going out to find jobs. I have asked the neighbors if there was a job for me, but there has yet to be an offer for me.

If we work close to the village, the wages are really low. If we work far beyond the village, we are afraid of the dangers the job may hold.

Our grandparents have weak bodies. Last year, our grandma broke her leg. After discussion among my uncles and father, it was decided that they would rotate their schedule and take turns caring for our grandma, two months at a time. 

---

February 29, 2016: Little Red Scarf, a Faithful Companion 

During the Chinese New Year holidays we received a phone call from sister Yun. She told me that Little Red Scarf had taken into account that my little brother and I are both in college, making it difficult for our parents to accommodate us. As a result, Little Red Scarf has decided to give me a small monthly allowance, hoping that it will help me with my daily necessities. Since I was at home, I just found out the news today.
​
Little Red Scarf, no words can express the gratitude I owe you and the “thank you” I wish to convey. These words will always be within me!

Original blog post written by Lina, translated by Nina Chen, edited by Carolyn D.