I grew up very poor, and my mom could only afford to send me to school with plain bread for lunch. A girl three years older than me would always watch me eat, but she never said a word. At the end of the school year, her well-dressed mother approached me, held my hand, and hugged me in front of everyone.

She told me, “I know you’re a bright girl, and life hasn’t been kind to you, so I will be kind to you.” Then she made an incredible offer: I could choose any college major I wanted, and she would pay for my education. I was only 15, but I had already been worrying about how I could ever afford college, especially my dream of studying medicine.

Soon afterward, she and her daughter invited me to their home. The mother explained that she had also grown up poor and that someone had once helped her attend law school. Now that she was successful, she wanted to pass that kindness on to someone else.

Last year, I graduated from medical school, and we have stayed in touch throughout the years. Her generosity completely changed the course of my life, and no matter how successful I become, I don’t think I’ll ever be able to thank her enough.