Christina Li, G10B, RDF International School

On September 20, I joined in our school activity, which was going with other students and teachers to visit the poor students and their families in Pubei, a small town in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region.

Before we set off, we were notified that we would visit the poorest families in Pubei. Since I grew up in a city, I couldn’t define what poverty is. With curiosity and sincerity, we began our journey in this tiny village.

Lu Haihua is the person who has left a deep impression on me. After talking to her, I found out that there are five people in her family: her two younger brothers, an almost-blind grandmother and a disabled father.

Their annual income is only about 2,000 yuan (US$282). Her bedroom is really old but very clean.

It is not hard to see that she treats her books as the treasures of her life. The only books she has are neatly placed beside her bed. Before we went back to the hotel I gave her a book named “To Kill a Mocking Bird,” which is my favorite book.

She received the book with gratitude and joy inside her eyes. She told me that they could hardly watch movies or play video games; the only entertainment for them is reading. She also told me the only wish she has is to go to a famous university and to work in the city.

I patted her on the shoulder and told her she would get there one day! She looked at me with a big lovely smile and said, “Yes, I will get there one day.” Her smile made me feel like I was eating honey.

Her happy smile is a great motivation for me to pursue my dreams.

Not only did we bring warmth to her; she was also like the sun in the winter.