On a small hill in Huaping (华坪), Yunnan, there is a small school.1 ， over the past 12 years, it has rewritten the fate (命运) of 1,804 poor2l by sending them to universities.
Zhang Guimei, now 63, is the principal (校长) of this school. She began teaching in Huaping twenty years ago. The teacher wondered3 many girls would just one day stop coming to school. After some investigations (调查), Zhang learned that they were from very 4 families. These girls were forced to work or get married at a young age, “We often say that we want every child to have a 5 start," she said. “But these poor girls, don't even have a chance to stand on the6line."
Zhang wanted to change this. She 7years trying to raise money. Finally, In 2008, she8 the Huaping High School for Girls.
Zhang gets upat5 a.m. every day to9the lights on each floor of the teaching building. Many girls are timid (胆怯的). She wants them to10safer on their way to classes. After years of tiring work, Zhang is now in poor11, but the school and the children matter more than12else in her mind.
Zhang's story has warmed hearts all around China and inspired many to13. in her footsteps. Zhou Yunli was one of her students. After university, she heard that her alma mater (母校) needed math teachers. She immediately came to teach."14Ms. Zhang, I would be nobody," Zhou said." When you become strong, you must remember to help15 This is what Ms. Zhang taught us."
