One photo accidentally changed my life

In 1991, the newspaper’s photojournalist China Youth Daily – The Hai Long Prize went to a remote mountainous area to take photos of the children here. The photographer at that time participated in a campaign called “I want to go to school”, so he went everywhere looking for images of students who went to school with books, despite difficult conditions.

After that trip, Hai Long Prize successfully obtained a life-changing work, which was a photo of a girl named To Minh Quyen, then 8 years old. To Minh Quyen was born in 1983 into a poor farming family in Jin Trai district, Luc An, Anhui province. When visiting the local school, the photographer took a picture of this little girl. The large round, extremely expressive eyes of the little student holding a writing pen attracted everyone at first sight.

Even though it’s a black and white photo, people can still clearly see the girl’s eyes showing her desire for knowledge and innocence

That excellent black and white photo was chosen by the China Youth Development Organization as a promotional poster for the nationwide “I want to go to school” campaign. Little girl To Minh Quyen from Anhui province also became famous since then. Not only becoming the face of a government study promotion project, but To Minh Quyen also became a symbol of the spirit of studiousness and overcoming adversity for a long time in China.

The girl was in elementary school at that time, eager to learn but not sure how long she could follow because her family was too poor

To Minh Quyen’s bright, innocent eyes filled with dreams of going to school have moved the hearts of many people, including many sponsors. The girl then received many donations and support from everywhere. Being from the situation of a poor child facing the risk of dropping out of school, the girl is sponsored for life’s education, walking on the path of knowledge that she aspires to.

Only 6 years after becoming famous nationwide, To Minh Quyen continues to have the honor of becoming a junior member of the National Assembly of People’s Deputies. During her schooling, the girl with those big, bright eyes always kept excellent academic records, not up to everyone’s expectations.

A photo has helped a poor girl change her life completely

Next, To Minh Quyen was elected as an alternate member of the Central Committee of the Youth Union. In 2003, she entered Anhui University’s Faculty of Financial Management and became a volunteer recruitment ambassador for the Beijing Olympic Games in June 2007.

From 2017 to present, To Minh Quyen has held the position of deputy secretary of Anhui Provincial Party Committee. She now has a happy and fulfilling life after being “changed her life” when she was a child. Knowing she has a bright future thanks to the help of society, the girl in the famous photo always tries her best every year to be able to “give it back”. To Minh Quyen has always actively participated in community activities, especially sponsoring children with difficult circumstances to go to school. She has also established her own charity fund and is constantly making efforts to help society.

The little girl who was known to all of China every year has achieved success and become a useful person for society

Occasionally, To Minh Quyen still accepts interviews to spread her inspirational story

Source: QQ

According to Chi Chi