Student Testimonial: Xu Tao's Story "Never Give Up"

“Never Give Up”

My name is Xu Tao, a child born on an island.

I was born to a poor family. My father was mentally disabled and my mother remarried when I was only 10 months old. I grew up with my grandparents and unlike many other children, I never wore new clothes or had a big meal when I was young.

When I was in kindergarten, my teacher always asked me: "why are your nails muddy all the time?"

"Because I need to help my grandparents grow rice" was my answer.

When I was in primary school, what I was most afraid of was not being scolded by the teacher, but of writing family-related articles. I always avoided to mention any family related matters, because I felt I was an orphan as I could not remember seeing my mom.

When I was in junior high school, I was afraid of going back to school or the spring outings. It was not because I don’t like studying or making friends, because I had to pay the bill at the beginning of the month but I had no money.

I even secretly collected garbage and sold it for money to pay my tuition.

When I entered my senior high school, the situation changed because of Shanghai Sunrise. Now I had money to go to school and to pay my tuition.

Now I have a job, and although I haven’t earned a lot, I still feel grateful because I experienced poverty and hunger.

Thanks to Shanghai Sunrise, not just for the money, but also for their mental support along my way of life.

Thanks to my sponsor, who I never met, for helping me.

Thanks to myself for never giving up.

"When the wind blows through the waves, it’s time to sail straight across the sea." I want to say to younger students that the pain brought by the present difficulties is always temporary. If you don't work hard to get rid of poverty, the pain may last, so don't give up your dream! Although you may not realize it right now, it’s a momentum to keep us moving forward.

Xu Tao

January 2021