Hi, my name is Helen. I once was a little girl waiting to enter the classroom to study but was rejected because I was albino and very short-sighted.

 

I'm from a rural area near Chongqing, China, where I was the only person who went to college. My father is visually impaired and hearing impaired. I have 4 younger siblings. My younger brother is visually impaired and dropped out of school at the age of 15 due to family financial pressures. Three little sisters with albinism are in junior high school.

 

When I was 18, my father was unemployed, and my mother was at home with a broken wrist. I had to work to support my family. I went to the factory with my younger brother to clean scissors with chemicals. One day I felt a searing pain and saw my hands stained yellow. From that moment on, I determined to become strong to take care of my family.

 

I used to feel lonely. I lived with my grandparents for 18 years in my hometown where gender inequality was the norm. Most people saw me as an odd and unlucky person. I wanted to run away from school to avoid attacks and abuse; I fantasized about being with my parents when I saw my classmates’ parents holding their hands on their way to school. I burned my childhood photos and diaries. I hoped to erase my painful memories.

 

The birth of three younger sisters and the fact my younger brother dropped out of school awakened me. I began to reshape myself and choose a new attitude towards life.

 

When I was ten, I saw my newborn twin sisters with albinism, innocent and vulnerable. It was as if I saw my baby self. I was determined to love and protect them. Over the years, I’ve tried my best to take care of my younger siblings and help them strive for quality education.

 

In 2020 when our family was facing a financial crisis, a friend recommended RM to me. Thanks to uncles and aunties whom I have never met and are far abroad, they extended a helping hand to us so my three sisters could continue to attend school. Watching them grow up in happiness and love, I hope to help more disabled children live a happy life.

 

I want to promote inclusive education in mainland China. To realize this dream, I want to become a special education teacher, go deep into teaching work, and learn to manage and run a school. In a few years, I hope to start a private school with integrated education.

 

Then I will build more schools one by one to set an example for other traditional schools. Finally, I dream of being an education policymaker. I will call upon and promote inclusive education in all traditional schools.

 

To realize these dreams, I desperately need your support. I hope to raise RMB 200,000 yuan (approximately $30,000 USD) for tuition to attend the University of Nottingham, UK, this September to study in the Master of Inclusive Education program. Thank you in advance for your generous support!