Xiang’s dream
Thanks to a special scholarship, Xiang is back in school and on her way to achieving her dream of becoming a clothing designer.
In return for the financial help, Xiang and her fellow students participate in social service projects as a way of giving back to the community.
BEIJING, China – For several years, Xiang has worked 16-hour days in a clothing factory to help pay for her father’s medical expenses.
When Xiang was in junior high school, her father was badly burned while collecting melted steel or scoria, which he would sell to supplement his income as a farmer. The burns left him unable to even walk. To help pay for a skin graft and other medical procedures, Xiang’s brother left their village and moved to Beijing where he found a job in a factory.
After completing her junior high education, Xiang followed her brother to the city to work as a seamstress in a clothing factory. She faithfully sent her earnings home to her parents, all the while anticipating the day that she could return to school and become a clothing designer.
But by the time the family’s debts were paid, Xiang was 20 years old and well past high school age.
It looked like her dream to finish her education would never be fulfilled, but then Xiang read in a local newspaper about an occupational training program through Operation Blessing and wrote a letter requesting help.
After learning of Xiang’s desire to be a clothing designer, OB China enrolled her in a design school. The program, which is funded through a partnership with UPS, offered Xiang enough money for tuition and books. In return for the financial help, Xiang and other students are asked to participate in social service projects as a way of giving back to the community.
Each year Xiang and her fellow students are in the program, they will complete 100 hours of community service.
“This project lets children know the meaning of the help, which is not just something to be received, but given…where they become a link of the mutual help,” said a staff member with OB China.
Xiang still works in the clothing factory when she is not in classes, but she is finally back in school and on her way to achieving her dream.
The scholarship program with OB China and UPS currently assists 40 students with job training such as cooking, hotel service, garden design, accounting, vehicle maintenance and childcare.
HOW YOU CAN HELP: Operation Blessing is helping to transform the futures of children like these by providing clean water, education assistance, nutritional feeding programs, medical care and more.
Please make an online contribution toward OBI's orphan care programs today and help us continue to reach those in need.