4 Even if we're poor, we will still save you!

Just when she was prepared to give up, the county magistrate suddenly paid her a visit. He held a plastic bag filled with loose change.

"Even if the county is poor, we will find a way to help you."

It turns out that Zhang Guimei's dedication to teaching despite her illness had been observed by the school principal and other teachers. Her selfless act of funding her students' education was well known in the county.

When Zhang Guimei fell ill and considered giving up treatment due to a lack of funds, the villagers spontaneously donated money. Everyone contributed whatever they could, continuously dropping coins into the donation box.

One lady even donated her last 5 yuan, her only travel fare.

Despite people advising her to be rational, she shook her head repeatedly, saying, "It's just a little more than ten kilometers; I can walk back even if it takes a bit longer."

The villagers' intention was simple; they couldn't afford to lose such a good teacher.

Upon learning of this, Zhang Guimei was moved to tears of gratitude. She silently prayed in her heart, hoping she could indeed survive because she earnestly wished to repay these sincere and kind villagers.

Fortune favors the dedicated.

Perhaps prayers indeed had an effect because after the surgery, Zhang Guimei's health gradually improved.

She became even more determined; as long as she lived, she wanted to do something for the villagers.

And her expertise lay in education.

Though she couldn't see the road ahead clearly, she seemed to have found a new goal in life.

In 2001, the Huaping Children's Welfare Home was established.

Zhang Guimei was chosen as the appointed director by the sponsoring party.

She gladly accepted the responsibility.

Taking care of more children and doing something for the villagers had always been her pursuit.

During that time, Zhang Guimei was tirelessly busy. She worked at Huaping County Middle School during the day and cared for the children at the welfare home at night. She managed everything herself.

Although she had been married, she had never raised children herself.

She sought guidance from other teachers, learning how to feed and change diapers for the infants. After getting the hang of it, she could manage six or seven children at a time.

Despite some financial assistance, the funds were limited.

As more children arrived at the home, expenses increased while funding decreased.

Zhang Guimei couldn't bear to see the children suffer.

To save money, she restricted her daily expenses to within 3 yuan.

One bun, one cup of water—that was a meal.

Under her devoted care, all the children thrived.

She paid little heed to her own increasing thinness during this time.

During this period, Zhang Guimei made a new discovery:

The welfare home was receiving an increasing number of girls.

Many of them were in excellent health.

Having grown up in the countryside, she understood that this was the result of the prevailing preference for boys over girls in the mountains.

One incident further solidified her belief.

One day, a female student from her graduating class suddenly disappeared—Little Guo (a pseudonym).

Communication was extremely difficult at the time.

During the weekend, Zhang Guimei ventured deep into the mountains to find someone from Little Guo's family.

However, she found Little Guo washing clothes in the yard.

Approaching her, Zhang Guimei asked, "Do you still want to study?"

Little Guo kept her head down, silent.

Not giving up, Zhang Guimei asked again.

She heard Little Guo choking with tears, saying, "No... I don't want to."

Zhang Guimei embraced her, crying along with her.

From Little Guo's demeanor and her family's words, Zhang Guimei understood the situation.

Little Guo didn't truly want to give up studying. Her family simply felt it was more important for her younger brother to study. As a son, even though he was only in the second year of junior high, he had to attend tutoring classes in the city. Little Guo, as a daughter, had to sacrifice her education to pave the way for her brother.

This infuriated Zhang Guimei.

Little Guo was in her final year of high school!

She was just one step away from leaving the mountains.

Seeing her distressed student, Zhang Guimei made up her mind to personally sponsor Little Guo's education.

Hearing that someone had offered financial help, Little Guo's parents finally relented.

With Zhang Guimei's assistance, Little Guo finally returned to the classroom.

Zhang Guimei experienced such situations numerous times.

But each time, she would find ways to help these children.

Not a single student she had taught could be left behind!

All of this made Zhang Guimei's belief even firmer:

Educating girls can change the destinies of three generations.

If a woman receives an education, she won't be influenced by the preference for boys over girls.

If a woman receives an education, she can leave the mountains and embrace a completely new life.

And due to these circumstances, Zhang Guimei suddenly had a bold idea.

This idea completely changed her life.