Since founded, IRD has helped over 1,000 students to go to school. There are unique stories behind everyone of them. Though they live a tough life, they handle it with positivity and appreciate every hard-earned opportunity to study. These letters are written by the students. Between the lines, they share their thoughts and feelings. Would you spare a moment to listen to them?

Guichan has four siblings in total. Her parents must toil in order to pay for their tuition. They unfortunately suffer chronic ailments from overworking. Medical expenses mount up on top of the their tuition, making it hard to make ends meet. Because of her personal experience, Guichan works hard in her studies, hoping that this will change the reality of underprivileged mountain communities. (Read more, Chinese only).

Biqin was born into a single-parent family, shackled by poverty and insurmountable living expenses. In order to make ends meet, her elder brother and father need to work away from home, leaving the family fractured by separation. Even though it is tough at times, Biqin still considers herself fortunate. She is currently receiving help from the academic bursary scheme, and now that the financial burden has been lightened somewhat, her life has started to improve. (Read more, Chinese only)

Tian Yi is at Secondary 3 and has a little sister. Born into a poor family, in addition to that their single mother felt sick,  there is no money left for their education. She once believed that she would have to work for the rest of her life and would not have a chance to go to school again. Fortunately, she receives help from IRD to continue her studies. Tian appreciates very much the help from the donors. She hopes that she can apply what she has learned to give back to her family and preserve the keen spirit of helping the poor students. (Read more, Chinese only)

Huang Yao is a middle school student living with her grandmother, father and cousin. Her mother and elder brother work in the city. Since her father is physically disabled and her grandmother is housebound from illness, the family have to cope with expensive medical expenses. This is why her mother and elder brother are required to leave and find a job in the city. Fortunately, Huang is able to concentrate on her studies with the support of IRD. Being a conscientious girl, she hopes to share the heavy burden her parents carrying. She strives to change her future and not let her parents or those who had assisted her down. (Read more, Chinese only)

Xiang, Lifei is in the last year of high school. She is entering the crucial turning point of her life. She has always wanted to become a doctor ever since she was young. She once wandered aimlessly, without knowing how to take her ambition forward, but her thoughts then turned to her sick grandmother, whom she hoped to look after and treat. The help from IRD lifts the financial hurdles that once blocked her path to academic study; also thanks to encouragement from her peers, she now find hopes and a clear direction for her future. (Read more, Chinese only))

Wen Dan is a teacher who has just completed her study and entered the workforce. She deeply values the opportunity to work as a teacher, and is dedicated to her work. Wen is grateful to IRD, from which she received help and support to finish university, improving her living environment. She is eager to tackle any challenges she might encounter in the future, and spread this compassion on to her surroundings. (Read more, Chinese only)