This once-isolated mountain region has seen rapid changes in the last few years. Children are finding ways to forge new paths through education and are gaining the courage to break free from their circumstances.

Xiao Ji was in my class throughout his three years of junior high school. Although he was a quiet boy, whenever I taught about life lessons, he would have a look of intense concentration. His grades during junior high were excellent, achieving a near perfect score in history for his senior high school entrance exams. This year, Xiao Ji graduated from senior high achieving the county’s highest score on the art exam for college admission, surpassing more privileged classmates who had studied art since childhood.

Xiao Ji had, in fact, grown up in a home filled with violence. As the eldest child, he often had to step up to protect his younger brothers and sisters. In the past, when young ethnic Yi people experienced such situations, they would usually give up their studies to shoulder the responsibility of supporting their families. Instead, Xiao Ji persisted with his studies, and diligently taught himself to draw.

On the last day of the national college entrance exams, he returned to visit his high school. I asked how he had done, he said the questions were incredibly difficult, but he had no regrets as he had done his best. His words brought tears to my eyes. He insisted we take a photo together to make up for the fact that he had been too shy to do so in the past. I look forward to seeing him step out of the mountains and experience a different kind of life.