Who makes the change?

In class this week, we were to answer a question. What/who helps Precious to make the change for her to better herself? Based on our discussion, while I do think there are people that influenced you to make the change, you as your own person have to also want to make the change.
In order to begin, the book Precious by Sapphire focuses around a young 16 year old girl, growing up in Harlem illiterate and overweight with a mother who verballs/mentally abuses her and a HIV-positive father who rapes her and she has birthed two children by. The reader may think that it is hopeless for Precious, that with a life like that,  how could things get better? I find it admirable that Precious wants to make the change and become a better person, especially to help support her two children, but I do feel that her teacher, Ms. Rain, definitely helps Precious to make the change and pushes her to do better. One example of how Ms. Rain is an influence on her is on page 55. She is trying to encourage Precious to sound out words and learn how to read. It's obvious to the reader that it is a new feeling for Precious to receive this kind of encouragement. Sapphire writes," She make me feel good. I never readed nuffin' before." Because of this encouragement Precious received, it inspired her to do better and persevere. Another example of Ms. Rain helping Precious to work harder is on page 70. In a journal entry to Precious, Sapphire writes from the teacher's perspective, "You are learning to read and write; that is everything." This inspiring statement pushes Precious to work harder and of course, she perserves thanks to the help of her teacher, the only positive influence in her life. On page 71, Ms. Rain says, "You are a wonderful woman who is trying to make something of her life." Again, this gives Precious a reason to work harder to make a life for herself and her kids. There is proof that Ms.Rain's influence pays off. On page 75, Sapphire writes, "I not going to school 'm I not going to give Abdul up and I is gonna get Little Mongo back one day, maybe." Despite everything that Precious has gone through, she is mature enough to realize she is a mother and does not want her kids growing up with the life she had. So she is pushes herself and doesn't give up easily in order to make herself a better woman and support her family. If it wasn't for ms. Rain, Precious might be a different person.