Student Comes Into Her Own as Artist at Chongshi Girls’ School

“It doesn’t really matter if you win or lose; the brave people already win when they stand at the starting line,” Silin, a sponsored child at Chongshi Girls’ School, noted about her journey in the Pearl S. Buck International child sponsorship program.

She started Zhenjiang Chongshi Girls’ High School at a time in her life when she was feeling the most confused, but from the very beginning, she felt she had finally found a place where she belonged, finding herself in an all-girls environment where everyone was quiet and kind. Silin learned to calm down and study, learning from mistakes she had made in the past. With the help of her teachers, she was able to transition smoothly from junior high school to high school.

Once Silin was comfortable with her high school studies, she joined the diplomatic community. Because it was new to her, she was nervous in the beginning and had trouble expressing herself. But the warmth and solidarity of her classmates deeply influenced her and the teachers actively encouraged her and gave her opportunities to grow.

Soon, Silin was able to express herself fluently in English. Not only that, she also developed an understanding of the deep cultural heritage behind the Chongshi team. Silin found herself inspired by Pearl S. Buck, who spent her childhood in Zhenjiang. She was moved by Pearl Buck’s spirit, which was reflected in her works and life, including her deep feelings for the Chinese people, her understanding and practice of the Christian spirit, and her deep understanding and integration of Eastern and Western cultures. “Her experience taught me to assert myself and be independent and confident,” noted Silin.

At the suggestion of her teachers, she took the college entrance examination as an art student. “Many people say it’s a shortcut, but what they don’t know is that learning art requires a lot of sweat, hard work, and honing of skills,” said Silin. She discovered she not only had a love for art but an immense talent for it as well.

Silin slowly learned the essentials and made rapid progress. Eventually, her grades improved as well. “In school, I learned not only knowledge, but also life,” she said. “The mutual cooperation with my classmates made me realize the power of unity and the friendliness of a large group.” The various reading activities broadened her horizons, made her feel a profound connection to her cultural heritage, and helped her master new ways to acquire knowledge. Chongshi Girls’ School was instrumental in equipping Silin with the skills she needed to step into society.

Thanks to everything she learned at Zhenjiang Chongshi Girls’ High School, Silin was admitted to her ideal university. “I knew that I was going to take everything I learned in high school and be a brave, confident girl in college,” she said.

Thank you to Silin’s sponsor and to all the child sponsors and donors whose generosity allow children around the world the opportunity to expand their horizons and follow their dreams.