Han Yaping, 18, from a village in Henan province, scored 699 out of 750 on the gaokao, China's university entrance exam. Her score placed her among the top 70 candidates in the province, earning her admission offers from Tsinghua University and Peking University.
Han's family faces significant hardship. Her mother suffers from ankylosing spondylitis, which has left her unable to work and bedridden for 10 years. Her father is the sole provider, supporting the family through farming and seasonal jobs. Han also has a younger sister.
Han's father stated that he could only give his daughter about 10-20 renminbi (RMB) for school pocket money each week. Han, however, rarely spent it, often bringing the remainder home.
She never attended tutoring classes, nor could she afford supplementary materials or a smartphone, relying entirely on self-study.
"I eat faster than my classmates and use the extra time to solve the math problems I got wrong," Han said.
Aware of her circumstances, her high school waived all tuition fees and accommodation costs, providing a monthly living allowance to ensure she could focus on her studies.
 |
Han Yaping. Photo: CNR |
Her story attracted many content creators who came to film her. Inside her family's home, the walls are covered with Han's awards and certificates of achievement.
Some people offered to donate money to help Han cover her study expenses. Though grateful, Han declined, preferring to work part-time while studying to support herself.
"I believe that knowledge can change lives. I am determined to improve my family's circumstances and provide my parents with a better life," Han said. According to local media, universities offered scholarships and financial aid to persuade her to enroll.
Ultimately, Han chose to enroll in Tsinghua University's School of Medicine for its medical doctor program, which admits only about 60 students each year. Han hopes that in the future, she can conduct in-depth research into her mother's incurable illness, find more effective treatments, and alleviate the suffering of many patients like her mother.
In China, the gaokao has long been considered a crucial gateway for many disadvantaged students to change their future. Han believes that being born into poverty is not a life limit, and success depends on individual effort.
Khanh Linh (According to SCMP, NDTV, Hong Kong 01)
