It is an incredible story of how one girl's determination, diligence, and hope impacted not only her life...but the lives of those around her.
Ma Yan is a young girl determined to continue her education despite the hardships and struggles that ensue. Knowing that an education is the only thing that can rescue her from a life of poverty, Ma Yan continues her fight to stay in school. Her resilience is inspiring.
The book contains Ma Yan's diary entries from 2000 to 2001. The entries are brief and from the heart. She writes of poverty, hunger, frustration, desire for an education, and hope for a better future for herself and her family.
When Ma Yan's mother gave her daughter's diaries to a foreign journalist , it paved the way for an incredible outpouring of love and financial support - not only for Ma Yan but for other poverty-stricken children in China as well with the establishment of the Association for the Children of Ningxia (寧夏) which has helped over thirty children.