Sunday, May 06, 2012

What a difference a friend makes........

I remember a photo from way back in 2006 of a heartbroken girl who had come into the school office to say that she would have to leave school. Her father had been seriously injured in a road accident and had lost a leg. Her over-worked mother was unable to bring in any more money....there was no way the family could afford to pay her fees/food for school .........she just saw no hope.....


                                                     But two amazing things happened!

Just at that moment, another girl who had been supported by us came into the school office to report that her family's situation had now improved and that she no longer needed special support. Could she transfer the support to her friend in need?


I am always blown away by how much the girls appreciate the support, never seeking to take advantage.....


An amazing group of kids, and their fantastic teacher in Portree Primary, Isle of Skye had committed to helping 4 girls through school and were delighted to be able to help this girl. Here she is with their photo and a pencil case they had sent. She spoke later of just how much this had meant to her.



We have met her each year on our visits and she has blossomed and bloomed....AND gained amazingly high scores at school.                  
                                       Her name appearing on the Top Students Noticeboard





She has also written some hauntingly beautiful letters about her experiences.......

Well, here we are in 2012 and she has now moved to university in Qingdao- a beautiful, rich city in the north of China....far from the karst mountains of Guangxi. She is still supported by Portree Primary and is also working in her spare time to help support herself. Here is an extract from a lovely letter we just received from her......



          She will graduate from Qingdao as a Civil Engineer, 
forever transforming the future for her family, 
changing the village around her. 
               and I know will bring Hope to many many more.

We are so proud of her and so thankful to Portree Primary.
Together changing the world, one girl at a time.......