Aiming for a clean sweep in her exams

Her lunch break and the time before bed, after taking care of her domestic chores, have all been utilized to satisfy her yearning for knowledge.

Huang's persistent efforts have seen her recently pass the tests for contemporary Chinese literature, modern Chinese language, moral cultivation and legal foundation in her ongoing pursuit of a college degree.

Her faith in learning has caught the eye of local news reporters, with her story helping to inspire many others to use their own initiative and learn on their own.

Zhu Wei, a local resident, says he has frequented local libraries a lot more since reading about Huang.

"It (her story) kind of gives you an incentive to improve yourself and make better use of your time," Zhu says.

In 2000, Huang signed herself up for the Self-Taught Higher Education Examination program, which enables graduation from higher education and confers bachelor's degrees. The test is practiced by the National Education Examinations Authority with the Ministry of Education and allows students to finish courses through self-study without going to school.

"I have loved reading and writing since I was young," Huang says. "My biggest dream is to walk onto a college campus and study Chinese language and literature."

Huang had to stop her formal education after graduating from high school in 1990, when she failed to pass the college entrance exam. She then left her home in Loudi city, Hunan, to find work, undertaking miscellaneous jobs, ranging from being a street vendor to a grassroots employee at a printing factory.