Do Unto Others...

Many years ago, someone with a very kind heart did a good deed which helped me. His generous response when I thanked him has meant that many others have also been helped even in China's remote Tibetan Plateau region!

The good deed that was done for me was the gift of a scholarship that enabled me to go overseas and study in a good university. When I asked my donor what I had to do in return, he simply asked me to do for someone else what he had done for me.  

I still marvel at how after all these years I now have the privilege of partnering with so many donors like you in giving scholarships to hundreds of promising yet poor High School and University students on the Tibetan Plateau!

The scholarships are awarded to students from families living below the poverty line who have graduated from secondary school and are too poor to afford high school (year 10 to 12, the first 9 years are free). The scholarships are based on academic performance, although the terms are not as stringent as they would be for similar scholarships in the west, considering the obstacles these students have to face. Our high school scholarships are RMB 750 (US$115) per year and cover tuition and cost of living. Our Tertiary education scholarships are RMB 6500 per year and also cover tuition and cost of living.

Two of our China staff members visited the Tongren Ethnic High School at the end of March, and Tony Kwan told us that they heard the Principal address the students and tell them my story.  He concluded by saying that all the students participating in the scholarship programme are a fulfillment of the undertaking the Executive Director made in her heart long ago, and he expressed the hope that all scholarship recipients would one day  give the same opportunity to others less fortunate.  

I think it’s good to remember that it was Jesus who first told us to do unto others what we would have them do to us.  

Pass it on!