Xi’an Alliance: Dreams Beyond Mountains

Xi'an Alliance works to promote a spirit of volunteerism. Many student volunteers are trained to participate in public welfare activities and social work.

My name is Li Qing and I am 11 years old. I live in Lantian County. I am in grade 5 and I like study and do well at school. There are 5 people in my family, my grandmother, father, mother, younger sister and me.

We have 2 acres of mountainous field and our life expenses rely on it. My mum is in poor condition and she cannot take care of us, though I know she loves us very much. My sister is in grade 1 and she can take care of herself. After school, together with my dad, we do some fieldwork and housework. 

My home is far away from the school, so we have to get up quite early and walk about 1.5 hours to get to school. My sister and I have to pay about 1200 yuan for food at school. Sometimes, I take care of my sister by taking her schoolbag for her or carrying her on my back. I love my dad. He would ride a motor bike to pick up my sister and me if he finished his field work earlier. My mum would meet us at the entrance of the village when she heard the sound of motorbike. It was the happiest time in my life. Some students in our class live even further away.

This year, my sister and I received support from some loving people. They will help me until I graduate from high school. I am so happy and my dad does not have to work so hard. My sister and I will study hard and thank those loving people.

Original article written by Bin Kong, translated by Maggie Li, edited by Yanyan Zhang