Xiaohai stands quietly under the eaves of her family house and snuggles up to her mother, hand in hand. Wearing a cloth that has already turned white from too much wash and a pair of red shoes, a little face is backed with slightly messy short hairs; Xiaohai’s eyes are tightly closed with a faint smile on her face.

Xiaohai is 15 this year, because of congenital eye diseases she was abandoned, her current mother picked him up in front of a hospital and raised her until today. Xiaohai’s adoptive mother has polio, her usual walk is even affected and she is unable to do any heavy physical work; Xiaohai’s adoptive father is an honest farmer and after one accident he has to rely on a wheelchair for life; in the family, Xiaohai still has one elder sister, two young sisters and one young brother. The life in Xiaohai’s family is really hard and they often need to worry about the three meals a day. However, even under such difficult conditions, Xiaohai’s adoptive mother has insisted on raising her up and treated Xiaohai as her own child. Although life is tough, the family never complains and lives along well.

When Xiaohai was young, she could see the grids on the exercise book. However, as the disease progresses, Xiaohai could not see anything gradually. Only when the sunshine is very strong, she can feel a little of light. Faced with her illness, Xiaohai once had low self-esteem; and firstly learning about she was picked up by her parents, she once complained as well. However, under the guidance of her adoptive mother, she walked out from the dark, and she said, “My mother gave me a lot, I love my mom very much, she is a loving, thoughtful and responsible mother, and it is really not easy for her to raise me.” Xiaohai’s mother embraced her and said, “She is still young, as a mother I must be responsible for her and provide a better life for her.”

With the help of family members and school, Xiaohai has overcome various difficulties and completed her primary school education. Since the secondary school is far from home and students need to board in school or ride bike to school, Xiaohai cannot do either of them and has to drop out of school and stay at home.  

The sustainable happy family project launched by World Vision is aimed at improving the well-being of vulnerable children, enabling them to grow up in a friendly environment and promoting their healthy development both physically and mentally. After learning about Xiaohai’s situation, World Vision brought Xiaohai to have a medical check, but there are no good medical treatment and rehabilitation plans; later on, World Vision contacted a school for the blind and hope Xiaohai can continue her education, and in September, Xiaohai will be able to register at school.

Many people would think Xiaohai’s life is unlucky, but Xiaohai said, “I don’t think my life is dark, I grow up with love.” Talking about the new school, Xiaohai’s face is filled with a smile, “I am looking forward to learning new knowledge and getting to know new teachers and new students. I am really grateful to those who help me, with the love of so many people, I grow up healthy and happily. Although I cannot see with my eyes, my heart is bright. I will learn hard and make my contributions to society in the future.”

(Written by Li Juan)