A Tale of Two Cities Supporting Xinjiang

Upon hearing this, the man abruptly stopped what he was doing, and then he said in a muffled voice, "What school? You know our family situation, where would we get the money to send her to school?"

"Last spring, I borrowed 2,000 yuan from Zhang Laosan to buy fertilizer, and I still haven't paid it back. When spring came, the seeds, pesticides, and hiring people to plow the land created another 1,000 yuan hole."

If she really goes to study design, the tuition will be several thousand yuan a year, plus accommodation, books, and food—all of which cost money. She can't very well borrow from the neighbors again, can she?

He paused, his voice tinged with an indescribable helplessness and a sense of guilt he himself was unaware of: "I'm thinking it would be better to find her a good family as soon as possible."

In our area, after paying off the debt, there's still some money left for her brother to save for his future wedding. No matter how much a girl studies, she'll eventually get married and settle down. It doesn't matter if she marries early or late; she can still help support her family.

"You need to change your old-fashioned thinking!"

Tursunjan Yasin put a handful of clean cotton he had selected into a bag, and his voice unconsciously rose: "What era are we living in now? It's long past the time when girls' education was useless! Xiao Fang from the neighboring village, back then her father had the same idea as you. He was so worried about the tuition fees that he couldn't sleep all night, and he wouldn't let her study accounting no matter what."

As a result, Xiaofang went to the Education Bureau herself and applied for a rural student aid subsidy. Her tuition was waived and she also received a living allowance of 200 yuan per month!

Now she's back in the village working as an accountant, earning over four thousand a month, more than her husband earned doing manual labor on construction sites. Last year she even helped build a new house for the family. In every way, isn't that better than getting married early?

He pointed towards the main room, his tone softening and becoming earnest: "Guzailnuer is even smarter than Xiaofang!"

Last time the village held a cultural festival, her painting of a bountiful cotton harvest was posted on the wall of the village committee. Many people came over and asked who painted it.

Everyone says this child is talented. Studying design will surely lead to a bright future, and she'll earn more than ten times the dowry money!

Old comrade, can't you give your child a chance? Don't let money ruin their future!

"no."

Tursunjan Yasin never expected that after saying so much, he would be rejected by him with just two words. He left without looking back.

Chang Peng wasn't just going through the motions; he was determined to help Guzalinur through to the end.

After learning from Tursunjan Yasin that the obstacle to his child's schooling was tuition, he made up his mind that he had to get it done and not let money ruin his child's future.

He went to the Education Bureau first, asking questions from the Basic Education Department to the Student Financial Aid Center until his lips were almost worn out. Finally, a staff member told him, "The city just launched a rural art talent training program last year, which is aimed at rural ethnic minority students. If they study art-related majors, their tuition is waived and they also receive a monthly living allowance."

Back in his dormitory, Chang Peng didn't rest. He browsed the official website of the education department, copied down the application procedures for the special scholarship for rural revitalization and public welfare scholarship projects, and studied the details of the policy support.

After working non-stop for three days, Chang Peng finally got everything sorted out: the "Rural Art Talent Training Program" was a perfect match for Zailinur's design major, and Zailinur's grades and drawing talent also met the application requirements. As long as he prepared his household registration book, transcript, and poverty certificate issued by the village committee, he could basically pass the application.

Holding the printed policy documents and application forms, he finally felt a weight lifted from his shoulders and went to Guzalinur's home with Tursunjan Yasin.

I saw her squatting in the corner, holding a nearly worn-down pencil stub, drawing cotton.

Chang Peng strode up to Guzalinur's father, handed him the documents and forms, his voice brimming with excitement: "Brother, please take a look. Guzalinur's rural art talent training program from the Municipal Education Bureau is perfect for her design studies. She doesn't have to pay a penny of tuition, and she can even receive a monthly living allowance of 500 yuan."

I've confirmed with the education bureau three times already. As long as we submit these materials, the application will definitely be approved. You don't need to worry about the tuition at all.

The man hesitantly took the document, his eyes filled with disbelief.

"This...this is really true? You're not kidding me? Will I have to pay again later?"

"It's absolutely true!"

Chang Peng nodded quickly and showed him the application process. "Look, it says here that the funding is for rural ethnic minority students with artistic talents. Zailinur is Uyghur and is good at painting, so she meets the requirements perfectly."

I'll help you prepare the materials, submit them for review, and once they're approved, the school will send you a notification. You absolutely won't need to pay any extra money!

Tursunjan Yasin chimed in, "Old comrade, Teacher Chang is reliable; he wouldn't lie to us. Look, the tuition is covered, what else do you have to worry about? Guzalinur is so talented; you have to give her this opportunity. Don't let the child have any regrets!"

Guzalinur stood to the side, tears welling up in her eyes. "Dad, please trust Teacher Chang and the headmaster. I'll study hard after I start school, earn money to help pay off our debts, and make beautiful packaging for our village's cotton so it can fetch a good price. I'll definitely live up to your expectations!"

The man remained silent for a long time before finally letting out a long sigh. He carefully folded the document and stuffed it into his pocket: "Alright, I agree."

Guzalinur could no longer hold back and threw herself into her father's arms, sobbing uncontrollably. "Dad, I promise I'll study hard and give you a good life in the future!"

On the day Guzalinur returned to school, she turned back and waved to her father as she walked to the gate of the courtyard. She only quickened her pace and ran to school when she could no longer see the gate of her house.

But this joy didn't last three days before Chang Peng received a call from an education bureau staff member.

The staff member on the other end of the phone said apologetically, "Teacher Chang, I'm really sorry, but Guzalinur's application for the Rural Art Talent Training Program was not approved. The application materials were missing award certificates related to artistic talents, such as proof of winning painting competitions. Without these, the application does not meet the requirements, and the deadline has passed, so it cannot be submitted this year."

Chang Peng hung up the phone, immediately pulled out the prepared materials bag, poured all the documents on the table and flipped through them, and indeed there was no award certificate.

I was only thinking about how good Guzalinur's paintings were, but I forgot that the policy required official certification. I missed such a crucial document, and the deadline was so strict that there was no way to make up for it.