Guangxi Province(Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region) is one of China's five national minority autonomous regions. The different and diverse culture of 12 national minorities converge here in Guangxi. The territory is vast in size with abundant resources. But these are unevenly distributed and when compounded with steeply mountainous terrain and infertile farmland constitute a life of grinding hardship for farming families. Their harvest is frequently affected by natural disasters. Severe drought and flooding due to heavy rain often restrict the growth of crops. Farmers cannot help but appeal to heaven for mercy. What is worse, ethnic minorities still persist in using their native dialects. As a result, Putonghua is not the common tongue of the community. Lacking external communication skills, it is hard for them to find proper employment. This further aggaravates the state of long-term poverty.
The Gratia Education Scheme aims to subsidize the students from these ethnic minority farming families. It is hoped that our aid will enable hard-working students hampered by financial difficulties to continue their study.
I paid my first visit to Guangxi in August 2010; itwas also my first visit to the needy high middle school students in mainland China. I started my journey with mixed feelings of excitement and anxiety. By the end of this first visit, I left with a heavy heart. During the return trip, while reading the letters from students presented to at the farewell function, I was moved to tears. "This was the happiest summer ever in my life.", "A kind of love that transcended both time and space struck me Du An", "Like sunshine, you bring us warmth, you bring us hope.", "We pass the love on forever, let it fills the world.", "In Gratia, we are a family. In eternity, we are a family." Reading between the lines, I knew they were deeply moved by the love we brought. I hope this eternal love continues to reside in their heart, and succours them throughout their life.