Acts of love change lives of disadvantaged girls

Yang Xia started her Chinese New Year holiday with a trip to Daliang Mountain, a visually stunning remote area in Southwest China. Unlike most travelers that were visiting for sightseeing purposes, Yang has made habitual visits since 2017 as it is the hometown of the 5 girls she cares about the most.

Yang Xia and the girls sit by a campfire. [Photo provided by Yang Xia]

In 2017, Yang met Ya Zi through a charity-enthusiast friend. At that time, 14-year-old Ya Zi almost had to drop out of school. In this underprivileged mountain-locked area, most girls have to financially support their families through odd jobs at a young age. Ya Zi was instinctively eager to escape such a life and the pursuit of further education was her only chance. Yang made the pursuit possible.

Monthly money transfers from Yang have been consistent since then and the recipients list gradually extended to include 5 girls in the same situation. In her regular message exchanges with the girls, Yang responded to their confusions about life and the future, and encouraged them that "life can be changed through education."

In a message, Yang wrote, "You are going through some tough times now, but your persistence will bring a different life, it is not about how much money you can make in the future but your attainment and vision."

The girls' yearning for a different life only grew stronger. Communication with Yang made them realize that girls can also achieve independence, respect, and a myriad of possibilities in life.

Er Zhuo, the oldest of the 5 girls, always turns to Yang when under pressure. Her family only allowed her to receive further education once her expenses were covered through a scholarship and Yang's support. When preparing for the National College Entrance Examination, Er Zhuo, under tremendous pressure, wondered if it was the right choice to stay in school instead of making money for the family.

"University is your only chance of a better life, I will support you and be by your side as long as you don't give up," was Yang's response to Er Zhuo. After three years of persistence and hard work, Er Zhuo finally enrolled in a college in Chengdu, majoring in accounting.

Er Zhuo believes that Yang is the luckiest thing that has happened to her. "Without her, college would be impossible and I could be living a life that I can't stand thinking of. Now I can see the future unfolding in front of me," Er Zhuo stated with a smile.

Yang invites the girls to Chongqing during the summer holidays. It is a chance for work part-time jobs, get a glimpse of a bigger world, and precious time with their "mother Yang", as the girls call her. Yang takes videos of their time together, celebrating birthdays, going sightseeing around the city, eating at home, and doing homework with Yang's biological son.

Although Yang and her husband have decent jobs, the financially-secure family chooses to live below their means. Yang drives a second-hand SUV from her father-in-law as she "can't afford a new one". She spends a large share of her income to support people in need.

Her enthusiasm comes from her tough time growing up. Yang was born into a poverty-stricken family at the foot of a mountain and lived on her own since she was 14. She relied on her neighbors and classmates for help. Yang recalls that her classmates chipped in for her high school tuition and always helped with farm work.

"Tough times will pass. The girls remind me of myself, and I hope they can change their life through education and help others when they can," Yang said.

Her dedication and thoughts are reciprocated. Ya Zi, seeing Yang as her role model, wants to be a teacher and help people as Yang does. Another girl that Yang supports, with her bright and shy eyes, uses a purple butterfly to represent herself on a social media platform. Her hope is to break out of her cocoon and emerge transformed.