"KFC Shuguang Fellowship" fund is specially set up to sponsor poor college students by Project Hope, which offers each poor student 5,000 yuan every year. College students can apply for the grants when they enter college and they can continuously apply and be continuously granted. In addition to helping recipients to successfully complete their study, this program also puts emphasis on work-study social practice. Considering that college students can help themselves and soon can be self-dependent, "KFC Shuguang Fellowship" program prepares several staff posts especially for work-study students, offering social practice opportunities, totally 600 hours in four years. Such a plan gives recipients tuition support, meanwhile offers them an opportunity to realize their social value by working with their own hands, which can be precious practical experience for them after graduation. Besides, it also advocates a sense of integrity and repayments and encourages recipients to donate to the fund if conditions permit after graduation. T us, the fund can sustainably develop, love can be carried forward and hope can be passed on forever.
After the strict interview and examination, Zhang Xun was approved to get "KFC Shuguang Fellowship" .
In November of 2005, Zhang Xun got the first sum of grant, 5,000 yuan. At the same time, he started his work-study social practice.
Zhang Xun told me, "My work-study job is in the KFC on Huanyuan Road. I usually go there at weekends. I work eight to ten hours a day. I work in the kitchen and I am in charge of frying chicken wings. A teacher trained me for two weeks and then I formally started to work. KFC emphasizes the standardization and it is the same with frying chicken wings. Firstly open the bag of thirty chicken wings and shake the wings for several times with a sieve to wipe off the surplus sauce. After that, spread them in the seasoned flour and stir them for ten times with hands. Then, shake off the flour on the surface of wings. Next step is to put wings in water for three seconds and shake them for ten times. Then, spread them in the flour again, stir them well and shake off the surplus flour. Finally, put them into the boiling oil at 340° Fahrenheit for seven minutes and thirty seconds. I am responsible for all of these steps."
Two years has passed, but Zhang Xun still has a clear memory about every detail of frying chicken wings. Zhang Xun said, "In KFC, I have learned rigorous attitude, strict schedule and high efficiency which are of great importance both for study or future scientific research. KFC has a slogan 'Crazy for Customers.' Since KFC is a fast-food restaurant, customers must be served within three minutes, which requires of team spirit. The receptionists, cashiers, distribution workers, kitchen staff and servants in the hall, more than 100 young staffs must closely cooperate with each other and no link can go wrong. KFC particularly emphasizes on passion and it requires that every staff should wear a smile and be passionate as soon as he or she starts working. This is the foundation on which one can work well. Without passion, nothing can be done."
At first, Zhang Xun didn't get used to "wearing a smile" . He kept reminding himself of smiling and smiling sincerely from heart and gradually he got used to it; "being passionate" is an inner strength. As long you have a comprehensive knowledge and understanding you will always feel full of passion.
Zhang Xun's classmates found Zhang Xun changed. His sense of inferiority disappeared and he was always full of passion and vitality. During the second year, in the reelection of Student Union, Zhang Xun campaigned for the head of study and practice department. At the election convention, Zhang Xun delivered a speech with full confidence, "… during the past year, I have worked at KFC while studying on campus. The corporation culture of KFC requires every staff to work with passion. If I succeeded in this election, I must serve everyone with all my passion!"
Among 215 student representatives, Zhang Xun got 199 votes and successfully won the election.
In August of 2007, Zhang Xun worked as a volunteer serving the audience in "Good Luck Beijing 2007" World Youth Wrestling Championships.
In August of 2008, Zhang Xun, as a volunteer again, served in the wrestling hall in the 29th Olympic Games.
This college student, full of youthful vigour, was attentive to serve friends from all over the world.
Let us come back to Project Hope. Zhang Xun said sincerely, "I am so grateful to Project Hope not only because it offered me the grant with which I could smoothly finish my study, more importantly, it offered me a practical opportunity with which I've improved my competence. What's more, my values and outlook on life were changed. Project Hope helps me experience the feeling of gratefulness and teaches me how to be grateful. It allows me to face up to everything with passion. After five years of graduate study, if I could make some achievements, I would definitely pay back to our society!"
Project Hope teaches a young man gratefulness and passion. How great it is!
Zhang Shengli, Su Mingjuan and Zhang Xun are the representatives of the poor students sponsored by Project Hope. More than 3 million poor students, thanks to the support of Project Hope, canwipe off tears and return to school.
The fairness of education is the most fundamental fairness of life.
Receiving education is the most fundamental right of children.
With education and culture they can start a new life journey!
