For pupils at a village school in Yiyuan county, Shandong province, Ren Jilan has not only been teaching them but also showing them how to face life bravely, especially when things just don't seem to be working out.
Ren came from a poor family in a Yiyuan county village. She had to do more housework than other children when she was young because both her father and mother were in ill health. With support from her relatives and villagers, Ren completed her 12-year school study and was accepted by Qufu Normal University. But the four-year university experience didn't go well. Her father died and then she had to care for her mother. At the difficult moment, it was her teacher, Li Zhenhua, who came to her and offered help.
After graduation, Ren was faced with chances to work as a teacher in cities, but she chose to return to her hometown and work as a country teacher at Fuluping Primary School. "Teacher Li gave up a well-paid job in a big city to teach children at the village school. I'd like to follow his path to play my part for the education in my hometown." Ren says.
Fuluping Primary School is 50 kilometers away from downtown Yiyuan county. It was once among the schools with the worst conditions in the county. But the school has its own beautiful and comfortable playground now.
Ren works hard on teaching and taking care of her students. She also spends a part of her money helping two poor students. She received the China Youth May 4th Medal—the country's top honor for excellent young people.
"Life was not easy for me, but luckily I had nice people around me. They gave me a helping hand when I was in need, and it encouraged me to go on," says Ren.
