May 22, 2006
學生來函
尊敬的嚴叔叔：
您好！
很高興給您寫信，首先我自我介紹一下吧！我叫姚成，於1985年生於四川省南充市南部縣新念村。我家有姐姐和我二人。父親在我四歲時離開了我們，母親艱難地把我們姐弟兩養大。可不幸的是母親在我上初中時又永遠地離開了我們。隨後姐姐供我上完高中，直到我考上大學。我從上初中起就一直得到您們燃燈助學委員會的叔叔，阿姨們的資助，使我有幸上完高中，成為我們村的第一個大學本科生。在此，我不勝感激。要不是您們的幫助，我不會圓我的大學夢。或許今天同村裡的其他孩子一樣在沿海城市裡務工。我們那個小山村很落後，而我們家又是我們村裡最窮的。
可有點文化的母親並沒有因為拮挶的經濟而使我們姐弟兩中任何一個輟學。因為她深知'知識改變命運'的道理。其實，我和許多年輕人一樣都曾對貧窮感到恥辱。很多時候都對自己貧窮的家庭難以接受，可隨著年齡的增長，我開始認識到很多東西是我無法選擇的，而我卻有通過自己努力來改變的權力。貧窮並不可恥，可恥的是愚昧的思想。我們村裡的很多人認為讀書無用，上完大學後還是要去打工。與其讀書花錢不如打工賺錢。以致很多孩子初中未畢業就輟學了。對此，我感到悲哀，一個無求知欲的村落將是一個要被淘汰的村落，但同時我也無可奈何。
每當我學習感到厭倦時，我就會想到大洋彼岸還有您們的關注，於是我又會振著精神繼續學習。因為我知道我的學習機會來之不易，能得到您們的關心和支持更是一種榮幸。雖然您們身處異國他鄉，卻無時無刻不關心著祖國的。每一次挑戰與成功，關心著
祖國的貧窮學子。您們這種無私奉獻的精神使我感到敬佩，更多的是一種感激。我想真情和友誼永不會退色，祖國和每一個受助學生及家人將永遠記住您們。
嚴叔叔，在異國他鄉生活得還好嗎？我知道在國外生活下去意味要付出更多的心血和汗水，需要更加艱辛努力地工作。但無論怎樣，您都要注意身體。因為一個健康的身體對我們每個人都很重要。
還有，您知道神舟「五號」，已經成功的發射和收回了嗎？我想那時您一定同許多炎黃子孫一樣興奮，感到驕傲和自豪。最後，請代我向您的家人表示問候並致以良好的祝願。
祝身體健康！事業蒸蒸日上！
好人一生平安！此致
敬禮
姚成 2003年10月16日
Dear Uncle Yen,
How are you? I am so glad to write to you. First, let me introduce myself. My name is Yao Chen. I was born in 1985 in Xinnien village of Nanchung, Sichuan. I have an older sister. My father passed away while I was four. It was not easy for my mother to raise us alone. Unfortunately, she passed away while I was in junior high. After that, it was my sister who encouraged me to finish high school. Then I was admitted into college. Ever since I was in junior high, I was supported by the EEP program which sustained me through high school. I became the first college student from my village. I am extremely grateful for you. I would not have been able to fulfill my college dream if it were not for your help. Maybe I would have been like the other kids in our village, working at some temp job in the coast cities. Our village is a very underdeveloped place and my family is one of the poorest in the community.
My mother had some education. She did not stop learning because of her financial problems. She knew too well that only knowledge could change her fate and that notion stuck with me. Like many kids, I felt ashamed of my poverty. I didn’t want to face it. But as I grew up, I realized that I don’t have much of a choice, but I do have the right to change it if I tried hard enough. Poverty is not shameful. It’s that ignorant thought that makes life worse. There are still lots of people in our village who think it is a waste to get an education. They think that since we have to work after college, we might as well start working earlier in life. That belief encouraged many junior high students to drop out of school. I feel sorry for them. A village with no vision is doomed. But there is really nothing I can do.
Whenever I felt sick or tired, I would think of your care across the ocean. That kept me hanging on. I know it is a rare chance for me to study; your support and care is my honor. Even thought you are abroad, you still care so much about us. I admire your unselfish devotion. I feel so grateful. I’m sure this friendship will last forever. Everyone here who has been supported by you will never forget you.
Uncle Yen is it a tough life over there? I’m sure it takes more sweat and blood to make a successful living there. But take good care of yourself. It’s important for everyone to lead a healthy life.
Have you heard about the successful voyage of ‘Shen Zhou #5’? I’m sure like all Chinese you feel proud of that too.
Best regards to your family. Take care!
Yao Chen 2003/10/16
Posted by dee at May 22, 2006 07:39 AM