Weijun Collins
Weijun was born into an educated and high-ranking Chinese family. Her childhood was destroyed when, under the rule of Chairman Mao, her father was denounced as an enemy of the Chinese Communist Government. Weijun’s parents were forced to attend the Clean up Historical Reactionaries movement meetings and detained in secret premises, confessing their sins. Weijun never saw her father again.
Under Mao’s government, she spent ten years working as a labourer in the harsh climate of the Gobi Desert, farming wheat, maize and opium. Living in a cave and with little to eat or drink, Weijun secretly taught herself English (the only books allowed during Mao’s time were books written by himself) in the middle of the night facing temperatures well below -30˚ Celsius and chewing dried chillies to stay awake.
Managing to escape as an English teacher, her life took many twists and turns with the birth of two daughters, two divorces, a lover 19 years her junior, and the cruelty she suffered for following her own path in life and not the one expected of her.
A chance meeting with a visitor from New Zealand in her remote village changed Weijun’s life.
The story she will tell you defies all odds. Unbelievable courage, determination and a sharp mind, have taken Weijun’s life from the depths of despair and living in poverty, to a healthy, successful businesswoman.
Weijun has written a book of her life “Desert Rose”, which has received rave reviews from all over the world.
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