Zhang Guimei, a 63-year-old principal of the first free-of-charge girl's high school in China, has helped more than 1,800 girls to realize their dreams of education during the past 12 years. 

Zhang Guimei taught girls living in mountains to change their fate with knowledge. She has devoted her life to interrupting the intergenerational transmission of poverty with her ambition in the education arena. 

Zhang Guimei: I want to build a free girl's high school

In 2002, as an ordinary teacher working in the mountainous areas, Zhang personally made her vow, saying that she wanted to build a free girl's high school for rural girls to pursue their dreams.  

Her field experience makes her realize that not only will educated women be more productive, but they will also bring up better educated and healthier children.

In order to build up this school, Zhang Guimei has spared no time seeking fundings despite the misunderstanding and disdain of others. In 2008, Huaping Girls High School was finally unveiled to the public. Her efforts have finally been paid off. A total of 1,804 rural girls who could have dropped out of school enrolled in universities because of her.

In the past 12 years, Zhang Guimei has been awarded "National Advanced Worker", "National Labor Medal", "National Top Ten Most Beautiful Countryside Teachers" and other honorary titles, and she has donated all her bonuses, donations from others and most of her salary to the field of education. 

A well-educated girl can transform the fate of three generations

Happily, it is worth mentioning that graduates of Huaping Girls High School all have achieved shining careers. 

Zhou Yunli, after graduating from Yunnan Normal University, decided to return to her starting point of life and became a teacher at Huaping Girls High School!

Chen Fayu went to the police academy and is now a people's police officer in Yongsheng County.

Su Min, now a doctor.

Zhou Yuncui, now an elementary school teacher.

Zhang Guimei sobbed as she watched the girls whose fate had been changed fundamentally.

All of Zhang Guimei's efforts are aimed at making them self-reliant and self-sufficient, realizing their self-esteem, and becoming contributors to society.

With such boldness and vision, it is no wonder why the girls' high school she founded has such a pledge: I was born to be a mountain, not a stream, and I want to look down on the mediocre gullies from the highest mountain of all. I was born to be an outstanding person, not dirt, and I stand on the shoulders of great people to look down on humble cowards!

(Translated by Bian Bingying, Edited by Ye Ke)