2005 Scholarship Recipients at Tongren University

Pat is a deserving student from a rural farming family whose father would often climb the mountain to walk three hours to take wool to the market. A few years ago, her father fell from a truck and injured his head and could not work for months. Her mother was ill with appendicitis and then they fell into debt. Pat's younger brother joined the army and her older brother goes to college. Her father has primary school education, her mother no education. Her grand parents are both 75 years old and reside with her parents. Pat is a Junior with strong desire to do well in school where she is chairman of the Student Union. Pat has received numerous leadership awards and is a strong motivator for her class mates.

UPDATE 2008: Pat graduated from Tongren University and is now a public middle school English Teacher in a rural town in Tongren Prefecture about four hours from Tongren.

UPDATE 2010: In early 2009 she married and in late 2009 had a child. She now leads a busy life as wife, mother and teacher and is very grateful for the scholarship from Zimmer Foundation.

Ruth is a humble girl from rural farming family whose father died when she was 14 years old. Her mother, a non-educated farmer, worked diligently until she fell from a second story building and hurt her back and continues to suffer from back health. Ruth is 22 year old junior with a wonderful attitude and pleasant personality. Her younger bother has gone to work as a labor in Guangzhou. Ruth studies hard and has achieved numerous awards for her academic achievements. She plans on being a very good English teacher and provide for her family. She is a recognized leader in her class and continues to achieve high academic scores.

UPDATE 2008: Ruth graduated from Tongren University and is now an English Teacher in Tongren city in Tongren Prefecture.