Zhang Guimei: Helping Impoverished Girls Improve Education, Changing Their Fates
- Home
- News
- People
- In-depth
- ACWF
Zhang Guimei: Helping Impoverished Girls Improve Education, Changing Their Fates
October 10, 2022Zhang Guimei supervises students during a class. [Xinhua/Chen Xinbo] |
Over the past several decades, Zhang Guimei has devoted her life to helping improve the education of children in poverty-stricken, mountainous areas of Southwest China's Yunnan Province. She founded Huaping Senior High School for Girls in Huaping, a county in Yunnan. It is the first high school offering free education to girls in China. More than 2,000 girls from the school have been admitted to universities.
In the 1990s while teaching at Huaping Minzu Middle School, many of Zhang's girl students from poverty-stricken families dropped out of school. Zhang realized that she needed to improve the education level of the local girls. That inspired her to establish a free-of-charge senior high school for girls. "Girls should get equal access to education, as most of them will become mothers in the future, and they will influence the lives of their children," said Zhang.
With support from the local government, various organizations and the warmhearted people from all over the country, Zhang established Huaping Senior High School for Girls in August 2008.
Traveling along treacherous mountain paths, over the past decade, Zhang has visited more than 1,600 students' families, to encourage the parents to send their daughters to school, enabling the girls to improve their education and change their fates.
Zhang Guimei accompanies students doing exercises during the break. [Xinhua/Jiang Wenyao] |
Given Zhang and other teachers' efforts to help the students improve in their studies, all of the children they've helped over the past decade have been admitted to universities or colleges upon passing China's college-entrance examinations.
Zhang joined the Party in 1998. She has placed a note on a wall in her office that reaffirms her dedication to her career. The note also stresses the Party and the people who have inspired her to persevere and pursue her dream.
Given her outstanding achievements, Zhang has received many awards and titles, including the July 1 Medal, the national model fighter against poverty, the Role Model of the Times, the National Outstanding Party Member and the National March 8th Red-banner Pacesetter.
Influenced by Zhang, many of the school's graduates apply to join the Party once starting university. Zhang is pleased that many of the school's former students have gone on to volunteer in faraway places with harsh conditions, and are helping others improve their lives.
When talking about the upcoming 20th CPC National Congress, Zhang believes that, with the successful convening of the congress, every child in mountainous areas will have more opportunities in the near future. "The Party's care for girls in mountainous areas has changed their fates," Zhang said, "As long as I have breath, I will continue fostering talents for the Party and the nation, and will help more girls leave the mountains and become qualified successors to the socialist cause."
Zhang Guimei talks with a student's parents during a visit to the child's family. [Xinhua/Wang Xiuli] |
(Source: China Women's News and Women of China English Monthly)
32.3KPlease understand that womenofchina.cn,a non-profit, information-communication website, cannot reach every writer before using articles and images. For copyright issues, please contact us by emailing: [email protected]. The articles published and opinions expressed on this website represent the opinions of writers and are not necessarily shared by womenofchina.cn.
Comments
Magazines
Projects
- 2023 Women Science and Technology Innovation Pioneer...
Photos
- People Enjoy Blooming Tulips in Jinan, East...
- Flowers Bloom Across China in Spring
Special Coverage
Related articles
Messi in and Dybala out in Argentina squad for pre
BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) — Lionel Messi is in and Paulo Dybala is out of Argentina’s squad for f2024-05-21Salma Hayek dresses up as Frida Kahlo to join Madonna on stage at her Mexico concert
Salma Hayek channeled one of her most famous roles while taking the stage at Madonna's Celebration T2024-05-21Cubs place LHP Jordan Wicks on 15
BOSTON (AP) — The Chicago Cubs placed left-hander Jordan Wicks on the 15-day injured list on Sunday2024-05-21- SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Thairo Estrada and Mike Yastrzemski hit back-to-back home runs in the third inn2024-05-21
Kosovo prepares a new draft law on renting prison cells to Denmark after the first proposal failed
PRISTINA, Kosovo (AP) — Kosovo’s Cabinet renewed efforts with a new draft law on renting a prison in2024-05-21Strictly Come Dancing star 'set to join Celebrity Gogglebox with his younger brother and dad'
A popular Strictly Come Dancing star is reportedly set to appear on Celebrity Gogglebox.Bobby Brazie2024-05-21
atest comment