Please see below for an update from Pengfang Zhang. As you can see, she is trying to maintain a better work-life balance. Please continue to message her your words of encouragement and support! It may also be helpful to let her know that it's possible to do well while also having fun once in a while.

--


Dear good-hearted people:


Hope work/school is going well for you and you are enjoying good health!


Since I wrote to you in March, I have yet to write again, please forgive me! Sometimes I really think I am one who forgets those who help me, and throws everything aside in the name of "studying". Gradually, I began to realize this is an immature way of doing things. I forgot about life, forgot about gratitude, and forgot about everything else because of school. I began to realize that if I stay "crazy" like this, I will only be a failed person.


People should be animals that understand life, understand learning. But I misunderstood it. I thought studying like a madman means I understood life, and understood learning. But I was deadly wrong. This is why my grades are not very good at school. Just like a teacher once said, those who don't know how to live don't know how to work. I am one who did not know how to live, so my grades weren't ideal. My way is called brute force as opposed to hard work. Hard work is much deeper than brute force. It makes you happier, and gives you strength and courage.


This semester, I have been trying to walk the path of "know how to live, know how to work", to seek out a life path. I discipline my behaviors, and let go of the tension and stress, and face everything with an eased heart. This habit would benefit me for life, and a relaxed attitude will fill me with strength. I think this would make me a complete person. I promise from now on, I will try to discipline myself, keep a positive attitude, and become a person who understands life. I will change the laziness that sets me back and that I repent. Do you believe I can do it?


I thank God for letting me understand all of this, or I will destroy my life and would not be able to do anything about it even if I regret it!


I am well in general, my health is good. I barely had any small illness this semester, so I think someone's attitude is very important. I hope you all have a positive and relaxed attitude when facing all the hardships in life.



Wishing you happiness!

See below for an update from Li Zheng. Please continue to message her your support, even if you can't write in Chinese - the translation team will work to make our messages more accessible to her.

--


Dear Givology,


I am Li Zheng, I don’t know if you celebrate Spring Festival in America, but I will follow the Chinese tradition ands wish you a happy new year! How did you enjoy your holidays?


When I came to register for school on February 26h and received the letters from you, I was so excited. I was very curious what you wrote to me when I received the letters written in English, as our village is very isolated and I am not familiar with English. I still couldn’t understand some parts after reading them several times. I had to consult some classmates to understand the messages. I was very touched after I read them, as most people who have helped me are students themselves. Jessica McDonald and Aodra Sarana, I really want to say “thank you," but that would not convey my gratitude and respect. But I will pray for you in our way to wish that good things would happen to good people like you. Also Hscibetta, who should be a bit older than me, I wish I could see you more clearly as your photo was a bit blurry and I could only see your kind smile and long black hair. I would like to call you “big sister”. Although I could only understand part of your letter, I understood I should apply myself more at school. If I have any worries, or difficulties that I cannot solve, can I write to you? I would also like to share my happiness with you. Be assured that I will try my best to understand the things in your letters. I am very curious, are you still in school? Saddmon, first I have to say sorry, because some of the words in your letter turned out very blurry, but I can understand what you mean. I think I am like you, and share the same feelings, perhaps to a greater extent. In a poor and backward region like ours, knowledge is the best way to change our fate, and getting into a good college is the only way to leave, and knowledge will indeed make one rich.


I am currently in 10th grade, there is only a year and a half left before the college entrance exam. It’s a lot of pressure, and we have a lot of homework everyday that never seems to end. However, I know, although it is hard work, this is temporary, and I believe that you will reap what you sow. Last semester I worked very hard, and got two months of stipend from school to cover meal expenses. They totaled 150 Yuan. This is the third time I traded knowledge and sweat for money. This money is nothing to people who are wealthy, and they could spend it in one day, but I saved all of it to give myself courage and confidence. I will earn more stipends in the future, so my parents don’t have to pay for my living expense. This will lighten their burdens so they can pay for my brother’s college expenses.


I don't have much time, and I have much to say to you, but I’m running out of time and it’s a shame to say goodbye again. I would like a photo of you guys, so I can see what you look like, and look at you when I’m feeling lonely. It would a shame to not know who have helped me. I don’t know if this would be possible, but I would like to make a suggestion: could you write in Chinese in future letters to me? This will train and improve your Chinese as well. I will try my best to write to you in English. I am just afraid of misunderstanding your original intentions when communication is in English. I will pray for you, and wish you health and peace.



Wishing you health and luck,

Li Zheng

See below for an update from Daiyun. We strongly encourage you to take a few minutes to write back - in stressful times, our students really appreciate hearing from Givologists.

--

Dear aunts and uncles at Givology,



Hello to you all! We had our monthly exam, so it took a while for me to write back to you, I am very sorry.


I don't really have much to say as my situation is similar to what it was in the last letter. However I would still like to tell you a few things that I normally don't want to share, some of my problems.


I wanted to talk about some of my dissatisfaction at school. Now the whole country is talking about reducing students' burdens, but my school is not doing that. Other grades only have class till Friday, but ours go on till Sunday and that makes me unhappy, because I feel like I am a free spirit, and I don't like to be oppressed or forced. The more other people force me to do something, the more I will dislike it. Even if it's for my own good, I won't feel comfortable. If I am not forced, I will feel that it is something that I should do, and I will do my best to do a good job. On the other hand, if I am forced, then I can't apply myself to it, and will only do a mediocre job. So, I feel that the forced additional studying at school will only have the opposite effect on me. Why wouldn't they understand our feelings?


The way the school is doing things makes me feel very stressed. It makes me feel uncomfortable. Sometimes I feel lonely, and that life is disappointing and I have negative views of the world, but sometimes I also feel enriched. However I feel that they are doing me more harm than good, and I really don't like it!

See below for an update from Chao Xu. Please send him your messages of encouragement - in stressful times it can make all the difference.

--


Dear Givology,



Love, what a warm name! She brought the colorful sun, the tall-stranding trees, the striking footprints, and the powerful song. Givology is like this burning love, bringing me the hope and courage to fight against hardship. Therefore, I deeply thank you for the love you've given me.


As to this past semester, I am very upset. Over winter break I had an operation for my sinus, which cost a lot, so our family's economic situation further deteriorated. Also my health hasn't been very good this semester, so I feel like life is tiring. However, I will not give up my education, for I want change, and I want success.


My family is good, my sister is in middle school. Because of school, we don't see each other often. So I miss her and my family quite a lot at school.


There's not much time for fun at school. I haven't played ping pong in a long time, because there isn't much free time. One of my only hobbies is reading, and keeping a diary. But I am satisfied. Studying is dry, but enjoying life comes after. A little fun is good enough. After all, it is said that bitterness is followed by sweetness.

As you can see, Laura really enjoys messages from Givology donors - please continue to send your support!

--

Dear sponsors:

I am sending you a great greeting from my side and want you to know that I am doing well thanks to God. I am very happy because next year I will start high school.

I also want to tell you that I did well at school. I always keep you in my heart and I ask God to protect you and take care of you, not only spiritually but financially.

Thank you for the letters you have previously sent me and also for your financial support.

The small town where I live is very pretty and a lot of tourists come to visit because it has a snow capped mountain and its fauna and flora are very pretty. I invite you to come! It is a spectacular place and I am sure if you come someday you will love it!

I would like to continue hearing from you.

Many blessings.

Sincerely,


Laura Vanessa

Please send Tatiana your congratulations on her graduation from high school!

--

Dear sponsors:

Kind regards. I wish you our Heavenly Father’s richest blessings.

Through this letter I want to inform you that I did well at school even though some subjects were difficult but with God’s help I passed. I also want to tell you that I graduated from high school on July 3rd. I am super happy. You can not imagine how much I waited for this moment. I am finishing another stage of my life, very important, which required a lot of effort and brings hopes. Another stage already starts; a stage where things are not going to be the same because I will be doing new things. I will need more strength and courage in this stage because I will fulfill new rules, I will meet new people, I will see new ways of doing things, which is the college stage. I am not too sure about all these yet, my thoughts have changed a bit and I want to study something that fulfills my expectations. I know that my God will give me wisdom and strength because in His hands I know I will choose the best career and something I like.

I want you to know that someone special came into my life and heart. He has supported me in everything I do and has given me strength. His name is Elkin Johan, he is 21, he works, and he is respectful, loving and kind. He sends you many greetings as well as my parents and my brothers and sisters. They all are doing well in what they do. Do not worry; I will soon let you know which career I will study.

Thank you for your ongoing support. You are like angels in this world that help those who need it. I thank God for letting me be part of you and for giving me a place in your hearts.

Tatiana

See below for Erika's latest update! Please continue to message her your support.

--

Hello!

First of all I thank God for all the support you give me through the Scholarship Program of the Emmaus Road Foundation. It is a privilege for me to be part of it because I have my education secured and I can become a better person and bring joy to my parents and to people like you who believe in me.

As for school, I still have the same teacher. We do fun things and celebrate Children’s Day, Language Day, Teacher’s Day and Women’s Day, etc. Right now I am planning my graduation from 5th grade because next year we will pass to a higher level, that is secondary education which is a big step. We are planning everything so that our last day as elementary school students is unforgettable. We are learning how to draw using squares and that is fun. Classes now are so much fun.

On Friday June 18th we received our first grades report. I got the highest grade in Religion and now that is my favorite subject but I continue to like drawing.

From the bottom of my heart I thank your support and I hope I can get to meet you one day to be able to thank you. God bless you abundantly.

Take care,


Erika Natalia

Below is a letter we received from Maria in the past few weeks. We will post the original Spanish letter (so all of her supporters can appreciate her decorations) once we receive it from Emmaus Road.

---

Sogamoso, July 23, 2010

Dear sponsors:

I want to let you know that I am back at school from vacation and I am really happy because my new school is very big. The school where I was studying before only offered elementary education and operated in a regular house. Compared to that, the school where I study now is very big and has several patios where we can play.

I want you to know that I am living in Sogamoso now. It is a city smaller than Bogota and it is very nice because you can find everything close by. The nice thing about living in Sogamoso is that we can visit other towns located close to it.

Near my house there is a court where I can rollerblade and that is so much fun. Also, in that court I have been able to play with my new friends and that is something that gives me happiness.

I am also very happy because at church I am learning how to play the piano and I have learned new songs and very soon I will be able to sing at church with the worship team.

One last thing I want you to know is that I wrote this letter using my mother’s help but I did the decoration of it, I changed the font style and added the border. I learned to do that at school and my parents have also taught me. I also know how to log on to Internet and search my homework and play at the Disney and Barbie Web pages. God bless you dear sponsors.

Sincerely,
MARIA PAULA

See below for a message from Liset. Please continue to message her your support!

--

Hello my dear sponsors:

I am doing well in terms of my health. Thanks for keeping me in your prayers. I want to tell you that I got good grades during the first and second semesters. Everything has changed at school, even the teachers, and getting used to them has been difficult. However, I know I will get used to them and my grades will improve.

At home, everyone is healthy. My mother continues making handicrafts so that she can provide for our needs. I received a small white dog called Tobby as a gift. He plays a lot.

I want you to know that I am a member of the basketball team at my school. I really like sports. Thank you so much for your support because thanks to your help I am studying and will become someone important in life. Thanks for doing what you do expecting nothing in return. I would also like to work and be able to help other children to go to school as I am now. God bless you and protect you. I love you all and I remember you often. I’m sending you a kiss and a big hug.

Sincerely,


Liset Aurora

Below is a letter we just received from Johanna. As you can see, she is really enjoying school. Please continue to message her!

--

Dear sponsors:

Through this letter, I want to greet you and let you know that my family and I are doing well.

I want you to know that I am very happy because this school year has been great and also because I am one of the best students in my class.

Besides attending classes, I also play sports and take music lessons. I am good at it. On September 16 the basketball team I belong to will go to Tibana Municipality representing the Norte and Gutierrez County. We will compete with other basketball teams until we have a champion. My team and I are very happy because we believe we will win and will bring success to the town.

As for music, I play the saxophone, and we had our first concert last July 20th. The concert was given to all the people in the town and it went really well. We received congratulations from those who attended. The music teacher we had is no longer with us so we are getting used to the new teacher’s teaching method which has been difficult but not impossible.

Here’s a big hug from your sponsored student. Goodbye.

Sincerely,


Johanna