Having had to beg for food with her father, the girl overcame adversity and went straight to university.

(Dan Tri) - Having followed her blind father to beg when she was young, Zhang Yan has now passed the entrance exam to Chengdu Normal University. Her story of overcoming difficulties has moved the public in China.

Zhang Yan was born into a particularly poor family in Nanjiang County, Sichuan Province, China. When Yan was just 4 years old, her father, Zhang Shiming, injured one of his eyes in an accident but had no money for treatment. The condition worsened and left him completely blind.

Zhang's mother later developed a mental disorder, and her youngest brother suffered from an intellectual disability. To support the family, her parents opened a small stall selling necessities such as lighters and batteries, while living on government subsidies.

In her memory, Zhang Yan admitted that there was a period when she felt self-conscious and was always afraid of other people's eyes.

“I used to be very self-conscious, but luckily I had help from teachers and friends, so I learned to face difficulties with more positive thinking,” Yan shared.

From the age of 7, Zhang often held his father's hand to beg at the bus station to make a living. The story of the father and son was reported by Chinese media in 2013.

Zhang Yan's plight first became known in 2013, when stories about her and her father appeared in the press (Photo: SCMP).

Despite growing up in poverty, she still performed well in school. In August, Zhang received an acceptance letter from Chengdu Normal University in Sichuan, majoring in Physics in the Department of Physics and Electronic Engineering.

She was accepted into a program for disadvantaged students in rural areas. She shared that after graduation, she will return to her hometown to teach. Her greatest wish is to help children, so that they can overcome difficulties and change their fate.

The walls of Zhang's modest home are decorated with the many academic awards she has won (Photo: SCMP).

Zhang’s journey not only touched people’s hearts but also sparked a debate. Netizens said that the gap between poor rural people and more developed regions is too large.

Social inequality remains a challenge for the government to address. Therefore, in early 2021, China announced the eradication of rural poverty, based on an income standard of 2.3 USD/day (equivalent to about 60,000 VND). This means that those living below this level are considered to be in difficulty and will receive support.

Thao Quan

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/giao-duc/tung-phai-xin-an-cung-bo-co-gai-vuot-nghich-canh-tien-thang-vao-dai-hoc-20250908202940748.htm