Dai Manju: A young girl

http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9E0CE5DF1E3CF930A35751C1A966958260

Here's a real story about a girl in rural China who epitomizes the struggle against adversity. Dai Manju is a sixth grader who loves going to school. The only problem is that she's already dropped out of elementary school four times, and she can't go back due to family circumstances. Her family can't afford to pay the tuition ($13 annually), and it makes sense. The average per capita income is less than $60 a year. Families aren't willing to spend so much money for education when they are trying to make ends meet on the most basic level. Peasants make up 70% of China's population, and for them, it's a struggle to even get an elementary education and learn how to read.
Her story took a turn for the better when her own teachers paid for her tuition. She eventually hopes to become a crafts teacher. It's hard to say whether Manju will be able to reach her goal; only 1 in 10 children graduates from high school. But what matters is that she has the determination to go as far as she can.

In Baojing, there are also students that face the same predicament. Besides doing direct service by teaching English, the Punahou Chinese Club also has fundraisers that allow these students to attend school. The Moral of the story here is that while these problems seem indomitable, there is still hope.