欢迎阅读中文版：《八年后，那个腼腆的少年，也成为了一名汽车人》
Before calling Xiang Xu, the image of the introverted, shy boy from eight years ago was still fresh in my mind. It was the summer of 2017 when a plane from Hunan landed at Nanjing Lukou Airport. A thin boy in slippers walked towards us, looking hesitant, shy, and quiet.
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Xiang Xu (on the left), when we first met, he could barely speak above a whisper
But the boy on the phone now? He's chatty and completely different from the Xiang Xu I remembered.
"Sister, I'm a car salesperson now! I even worked as a Ford salesperson!"
Xiang Xu hails from Mashan Village in Yongshun, Hunan. His childhood was tinged with a quiet sadness. His father passed away when he was three, and his mother left home, after which all contact was lost. On their meager land, his grandmother diligently supported their family with just two acres of thin soil.
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Xiang Xu during his primary school years
Even at such a tender age, Xiang Xu experienced the harsh realities of life. He was bullied by his peers, quietly swallowing his hurt without telling anyone. He learned a simple yet profound truth early on: "Becoming strong yourself is more important than anything else."
In 2017, Ford's educational assistance program had been running for five years. Many children faced another crossroads: completing compulsory education and then what? Continue studying, or enter the workforce? Without the program's support, would those unable to attend high school have the skills to survive in society, or would they remain in the mountains, farming? This became a challenge for the volunteers to consider.
"Perhaps we can create more opportunities for them, help them acquire a vocational skill. Their future path might be a little smoother." The volunteers, leveraging their networks, found the Nanjing Vocational College of Transportation.
Xiang Xu, who joined the program at twelve, also stood at this intersection. But a special opportunity arose for him...
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Xiang Xu and Shu Qingqing, another student receiving aid at that time, at Ford REC
His teacher called him into the office and told him about a Ford-sponsored program: to study automotive vocational skills in Nanjing, with all tuition and living expenses covered.
And so, fifteen-year-old Xiang Xu left the mountains for the first time, and took his first plane ride. The introverted boy, fresh out of junior high, arrived in the unfamiliar city of Nanjing with a hint of curiosity and a great deal more unease.
He'll never forget the warm welcome from the Ford volunteers at the airport. That warmth dispelled his timidity in this new, big city.
The volunteers took them on a tour of Ford, brought them to school, handled the enrollment procedures, and even helped them settle into their dorms.
Although a bit disoriented upon arrival, Xiang Xu said, "Qingqing and I were truly very happy in our hearts."
During his years at the Nanjing Vocational College of Transportation, Xiang Xu studied automotive repair skills like metal panel beating and painting. He didn't waste his time outside of class either. He and his classmates worked part-time jobs on weekends and holidays, sorting packages. Despite the hardship in the cold, late-night winds, there was laughter and camaraderie as they encouraged each other and worked hard together.
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Ford volunteers provided meticulous care to Xiang Xu and Qing Qing in their daily lives, helping them to quickly integrate into the unfamiliar city life
The formerly reticent, even shy and timid boy, gradually transformed through his studies and life in Nanjing.
Nurtured by the care of Ford volunteers and the friendships of his classmates, Xiang Xu's personality began to subtly shift. He became more outgoing and confident. In Nanjing, he experienced an unprecedented sense of freedom and camaraderie, and made a group of close friends he still keeps in touch with today. These experiences taught him that life isn't just about hardship; it's also about the joy of striving and the preciousness of friendship.
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Xiang Xu working as a salesperson at Litian Ford 4S store in Changsha after graduation
After graduation, Xiang Xu didn't choose to work in repair as expected. Instead, he boldly opted for the more challenging field of automotive sales. Perhaps it was his prior contact with Ford volunteers, or his understanding of Ford gained during his studies. When Xiang Xu returned to Changsha, he applied directly to local Lincoln and Ford dealerships.
"Sales really hones you," he said. In the years since graduation, he has grown from a sales consultant to an internal brand trainer, and even ventured to Shenzhen for a period. From a boy who was too shy to speak in front of people, to an automotive salesperson who can now speak eloquently and offers insightful industry perspectives, Xiang Xu's transformation is astonishing.
Today, both Xiang Xu and his sister have their own independent financial means. His grandmother can finally shed the burden she carried and enjoy her later years. Xiang Xu shared that his grandmother always wished he would go out and explore sooner, because she knew that what he could learn in a big city far surpassed staying at home.
In just 8 years, Xiang Xu went from the mountains to study in Nanjing, worked in Changsha, and then spent two years exploring in Shenzhen. The family's financial situation is no longer as precarious as it once was. He remains active in the automotive industry he loves, confidently stating that he is "highly adaptable" and has immense potential.
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"It was like seeing a light."
When asked what the Ford educational assistance program means to him, it's as if time rewinds to that shy, introverted boy from years ago. On the phone, twenty-three-year-old Xiang Xu says this in a calm yet powerful voice.
"It was like seeing a light." This light wasn't just financial aid; it was trust, it was strength, giving him the courage to leave the mountains and chase his dreams. It proved that when a child's heart is filled with light, they have the capacity to face any challenge and ultimately live a brilliant life of their own.
Xiang Xu's story is the best embodiment of the meaning behind Ford's Orphan Education Assistance Program. It demonstrates the power of education and the miracles that kindness can bring. Ford provided not just the opportunity to learn, but a "foot in the door" to life, enabling children to acquire a trade, the ability to earn a living, and establish themselves in big cities.
We firmly believe that every act of sponsorship is not only material support but also spiritual encouragement, allowing children to grow in a loving environment and ultimately become pillars of society.
