A Journey to Tianjin University

A long-awaited moment of joy has finally arrived for Gu Wenbing of Dangchang County, Gansu Province. This summer he received his undergraduate admission notice from Tianjin University. It was the 40th “care package” he had received over four years from the School of Science, a gift that carried both weight and meaning.

The chain of support began in 2021 when graduate teaching volunteer Liu Xi was dispatched to Old Town Middle School in Dangchang to teach physics. There he met Gu Wenbing, then a junior high student who was small in stature but always smiling and greeting others, with eyes full of eagerness for knowledge. Gu came from hardship. His father had passed away, and his elderly grandfather could only support him through odd jobs. Yet Gu’s determination shone through, and he consistently ranked among the top students in his class.

Touched by his story, Liu shared it with counselor Bao Yanyan, who immediately proposed that the undergraduate Party branch at the School of Science organize financial support. Student Party members each voluntarily contributed up to 20 yuan per month. The branch collected these funds, and the counselor added extra money to reach a total of 500 yuan each month before sending it to Gu.

In April 2022, Liu delivered the first “care package,” which contained 500 yuan and Tianjin University cultural gifts, to Gu’s home. This package brought support and encouragement from afar. Over the following four years, despite changes in branch membership, this monthly support never stopped. More than 100 student Party members and six counselors have taken part in this initiative, contributing a total of 19,500 yuan.

Beyond financial aid, the “care packages” often included thoughtful surprises such as science books, handmade gifts, cultural products of Tianjin University, and seasonal greetings. During school breaks, student Party members also served as online tutors, providing academic guidance to help Gu build his path toward university.

Since 2023, the School of Science has organized summer outreach teams to Dangchang. Each summer, counselors and student representatives visited Gu’s home, reinforcing a special “summer pact” to meet again at Tianjin University’s Beiyang Park.

This summer, after completing the national college entrance examination, Gu successfully entered Tianjin University through the Higher Education Special Program.

Counselor Bao Yanyan said that this story, which began with a teaching connection, not only warmed a distant student’s heart but also enabled each participant to discover a better self through giving. One graduating student donated 500 yuan in a single contribution, explaining that he had secured his dream job and felt ready to help others. Another student, inspired by being named a “TJU Self-Reliance Star,” contributed 500 yuan to continue the spirit of perseverance. Others offered online tutoring during vacations, believing that true poverty alleviation must also include intellectual support.

“This summer I was admitted to Tianjin University,” Gu exclaimed as he joined the School of Science summer outreach team to Dangchang, stepping into the role of a peer tutor. “Thanks to the constant care from Tianjin University professors and seniors, my dream of attending university has been realized. I will now pass on this relay of care and the spirit of Tianjin University to others.”

By: Qin Mian