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Girl's University Dream Comes True
September 7, the first day of the autumn term for China's big-name Qinghua University, is really a great day for Zhang Xiaoxiao, a first-year female student.
It is not only because her university dream has come true but for the fact her dream is materialized with the help of basic life insurance set up by the government and financial and material assistance from others, mostly unknown to her.
Almost all her belongings, including clothing, shoes and luggage, are donated by many strangers. "It is love and aid from others that has helped me materialize my university dream," says the 18-year girl, a native Beijinger.
Zhang is one of the three million beneficiaries of the poverty-line security funds which originated in Shanghai, the most developed city in east China, and has covered 667 cities and 1,639 county-seats.
Li Bengong, director of the disaster relief department of the Ministry of Civil Affairs, divides the beneficiaries into four categories -- residents without any stable income, working ability or legal supporters; people with stable income but living under the poverty line due to financial reasons; the unemployed who have failed to find a new job; and those who live under the poverty line and are eligible for receiving the assistance.
In China, poor people living in different places enjoy subsidies of different amounts. In Shenzhen, where the local GDP tops the country, financial aid to the needed is also the highest, amounting to 319 yuan per month for each person.
But in low-income cities like Hohhot, Nanchang and Yinchuan, the monthly bottom-line assistance stands at 143 yuan per person.
The municipal government of Beijing recently raised the monthly poverty-line aid to 276 yuan, from 264 yuan.
Zhang's father died of sudden illness last year, leaving the poor family in an even more miserable situation. She considered dropping out from her high school until the neighborhood committee in her residential area helped her apply for the then 264-yuan aid for poor residents.
Her family was also granted a monthly food and edible oil assistance worth 40 yuan by the local government.
Upon learning her success in the college entrance exam, local officials came to help once again by raising 3,000 yuan for her to cover schooling fares. They have even bought her suitcases and warm clothing.
Another good news for Zhang and others like her is that the state has initiated a program to grant credit loans to university students from poor families.
"I owe so much to society," says the girl student, "I'm looking forward to the day I can pay it back."
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