Esquel-Y.L. Yang Education Foundation

10TH ANNIVERSARY REVIEW

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Driven by the mission to “Encourage the Spirit of Learning” and to promote education among underprivileged children, the Esquel – Y. L.

Yang Education Foundation launched its first education-related programs in Xinjiang in 2003. Since then, the Foundation’s programs have helped children in rural communities gain better access and tools that enrich or facilitate their learning. Through these efforts, we hope to enhance opportunities in these children’s lives, help them develop their potentials, and encourage them to become good and responsible citizens in in their communities.

To celebrate this amazing 10-year journey, Sage the butterfly will take us across China and rest of Asia to see how these seeds of learning have blossomed into new hopes and possibilities.

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CHAPTER I

LEARNING AND CREATIVITY

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F lying over some of the world’s most extreme terrains with rugged mountains and vast deserts, Sage arrived at her first

destination – Xinjiang. In this land known for its arid climate, the thirst for water is perhaps only matched by one other kind

of yearning – that for knowledge.

XINJIANG

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B ooks are a valuable source of knowledge and are vital in motivating children to learn. But for the rural communities in this autonomous

region, the remoteness of these communities has limited their access to books and libraries.

But children are keen to learn despite limited resources, and the Foundation sees to it this yearning is nurtured. Through the library books donation to 1,100 school libraries, the Foundation has, since its launch in 2006, put more than 300,000 books in the hands of eager children and opened up a whole new world of learning for them.

LIBRARIES AND BOOKS DONATION PROGRAM

School libraries donated:

1,100Books donated:

300,000+

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10 years ago when the Foundation first visited schools in rural Xinjiang, school facilities and conditions were generally rudimentary. Some

schools were in a state of dilapidation that safety has become a concern.

Since 2003, the Foundation introduced the School Refurbishment Program, helping a total of 22 schools and has provided a safer environment and better facilities for students through refurbishment and donation of hardware and computer equipment. This enabled students to learn more effectively, increasing their chance to succeed academically.

SCHOOL REFURBISHMENT PROGRAM

No. of schools refurbished:

22

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F amilies in the rural communities are dealt a severe blow when parents are infected with AIDS and affected their ability to work. The strain on

financial resources and emotional stress can have significant impact on the family, especially the children.

To provide financial and emotional support to these families, the Foundation has, since 2005, provided a monthly allowance to give these families more flexibility to meet contingencies –particularly the children’s education expenses. A tremendously encouraging outcome is that some of these children have gone on to complete tertiary education.

In addition to donations, Foundation volunteers also organized visits to these families to lend a caring ear and to show moral support.

SUPPORT FOR AIDS-AFFECTED FAMILIES AND CHILDREN

Number of families supported:

97

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SUMMER CAMP

F un and learning opportunities abound at the Foundation’s summer camp for primary school children in rural

Xinjiang. The camp is designed to motivate children’s interest in learning through a lively, activity-based teaching approach. Volunteer teachers used creative games, songs and dance to enable an effortless and enjoyable learning experience. The friendships, cultural exchange and team spirit fostered among participants and volunteer teachers would become memories to last a lifetime.

In its pilot years, the camp focused primarily on helping participants learn Chinese and changed to an English-learning theme in subsequent years.

Number of students reached:

1,000

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W hen families in rural areas face financial difficulties, priority is often given to the needs of daily life

rather than children’s education. The Foundation provides subsidies to needy primary and secondary school students to meet their living and school expenses, enabling them to continue with their studies.

SUPPORT FOR STUDENTS

I mpoverished families in rural Xinjiang often have difficulty finding resources for education and related

expenses. Since 2003, the Foundation provided subsidies to students to pay for stationery and other basic school expenses and in so doing, enhanced their academic opportunities.

PRIMARY STUDENTSNumber of primary school students receiving sponsorship since 2003:

4,446

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S uccessful completion of high school opens up opportunities in life for teenagers. Knowing that,

the Foundation launched the Hongzhi Students Program in 2007 to provide subsidies to high achievers in secondary schools who are at risk of dropping out of school due to financial difficulty at home, allowing students to focus on exceling in their studies. It is heartening to see that many of these students have successfully enrolled at reputable universities in different parts of China over the years.

HONGZHI STUDENTS PROGRAM

Secondary school students receiving sponsorship since 2007:

330

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I am very grateful to the Esquel - Y. L. Yang Education Foundation for helping me over the years. The

Foundation has not only provided me subsidies but also boosted my spirit. I feel empowered to work hard at school and I continue to better myself and become a productive member of my community. I hope one day I will be able to spread to other people the love

the Foundation has so generously given me.

Tang Zhi, graduate of the Urumqi 81 High Schoolnow studying at the China University of Petroleum

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As a former beneficiary of the Foundation, I feel a special bond with families of Hongzhi students. During the visits, I talked to them

like they were my friends and cared about their living conditions. I tried to record their situation accurately and worked with Esquel volunteers, to

do what we could to help them.

Du Yongsi, former HongZhi Student and volunteer

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Each opportunity to visit families of Hongzhi students is very precious to me. I hope to

encourage the families through sharing with them my experience as a beneficiary. I wanted them to know their current financial difficulty is only

temporary, and their situation will improve if they stay positive, persevere and work hard.

Luo Shuehua, former Hongzhi Student and volunteer

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In what was for many their first eye examination, students watched with curiosity and a little trepidation when the

optometrist introduced them to a retinal camera and asked them to position their heads on the equipment. When students put on their spectacles for the first time, they gasped in amazement at a world that has suddenly become so clear.

The Foundation introduced vision screening for students in 2012 in various parts of rural Xinjiang. Done in partnership with Hong Kong Polytechnic University’s School of Optometry, the program provided vision screening and free spectacles for those in need. Data gathered from the screening were shared with local health authorities so that they can continue to offer treatment and support. By helping students overcome learning difficulties caused by poor eyesight, the program has given them a chance to a brighter future.

VISION SCREENING FOR STUDENTS IN RURAL XINJIANG

Number of students receiving screening since 2012:

2,800

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It was my first time being a volunteer for the vision screening program. It was heartbreaking enough to see some children wearing thick glasses at such a

young age, I feel sadder still when I learned even more of them could not afford glasses. All I could see on

the children’s faces was eagerness and hope.

Jiao Yunlong, Esquel Corporate Communications, Xinjiang

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Today I received my new glasses from Esquel-Y. L. Yang Education Foundation. I am overjoyed because

I no longer have to squint my eyes to see what is written on the blackboard. I am very grateful to the Foundation for giving me eye examination and free

new glasses.

Gulimire, 4th grader at the Keping Huzhou Bilingual Elementary school, program beneficiary receiving free glasses from the program

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Studies have found learning approaches emphasizing first-hand experience and application are effective

in enhancing interest and retention. Since 2011, the Foundation, together with Hong Kong Polytechnic University’s Department of Computing, introduced rural Xinjiang teachers to new teaching approaches using Lego robotics and SCRATCH, learning tools widely used in schools around the world.

Under the guidance of trainers, the trainees developed their logical, cognitive and mathematical potential through building Lego models. And their creative power was given a boost by SCRATCH, an innovative software developed by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology that allows them to create animations, interactive stories and games. By working in groups, students also learned to communicate and collaborate with one another. Through the program, schools and teachers gained new impetus and resources to enhance their teaching and competitiveness.

LEARNING THROUGH LEGO AND SCRATCH

Number of teachers trained:

200

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In parts of rural Xinjiang, there is still a lack of awareness of hygiene and disease prevention. It is still quite common for people to fall ill from

drinking water that has not been boiled or eating food out of unclean hands. And the harmful effects of smoking and poor diets are often overlooked. To change mindsets and encourage healthy habits, the Foundation launched in 2010 a health education program targeting school children. Over the years, in collaboration with pharmaceutical company Novartis and local health and education bureau, the Foundation has provided resources to implement a health education curriculum in schools, as well as organising competitions and exhibitions to spread health messages among children and their communities.

ESQUEL-NOVARTIS JIAN KANG KUAI CHE (HEALTH EXPRESS) PROJECT

Number of schools reached:

160+Number of students reached:

300,000

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The Gobi March, an annual endurance race organized by RacingThePlanet, celebrated its tenth anniversary in 2013.

The Foundation has supported the event since its inaugural launch, and distributed teaching equipment and books donated by RacingThePlanet to schools along the race trail. Both organizations share the vision of empowering minority groups in Xinjiang through education.

In 2013, the Foundation extended its investment to this cause by setting up the Esquel-RacingThePlanet Scholarship Program. The unique program identifies talented teenagers who excel in academics and sports and provides them with opportunities to broaden their cultural and interpersonal development.

RACING THE PLANET

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CHAPTER II

HARMONY WITH OUR ENVIRONMENT

AND PEOPLE

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Sage’s next stop was Gaoming, home to largest production base of Esquel Group. With such vibrant business and economic

activity in the area, the Foundation saw a golden opportunity to sow seeds of sustainable development – by educating the younger generation about harmonizing development with the

wellbeing of our Earth.

GAOMING

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W ith the planet Earth facing severe environmental challenges, knowledge, awareness and engagement

are most effective in helping the younger generations understand the importance of environmental conservation. In 2004, the Foundation launched its first EcoMobile in Xinjiang, an interactive classroom on wheels, and promoted environmental education to over 120,000 students. In 2007, the EcoMobile further extended its footprint to Gaoming and the greater Foshan area.

With the support of China Light & Power, the program reached the next phase in 2011. Esquel-CLP Green Studio is a hybrid vehicle, with a 3-D theatre installed in its interior. Since then, it has travelled throughout in the greater Foshan area and gave children an innovative learning experience.

ECOMOBILE AND ESQUEL-CLP GREEN STUDIO

Number of schools reached:

100+Number of students reached:

120,000+

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The EcoMobile and now the Green Studio is a meaningful program spreading messages of

environmental protection, education and social responsibility. I felt very privileged and overwhelmed with positive energy when I saw the excitement and

commitment of the students participating. Everything that came out of the activities was positive and there

was an extraordinary sense of hope. It was truly an uplifting experience.

Xiong Hua Jun, Gaoming volunteer

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In addition to the EcoMobile and Green Studio, the Foundation also wanted to see environmental education thrive in schools.

In the same year that the EcoMobile was dispatched in 2007, the Foundation also established the Green Club at over 30 schools in the greater Foshan area to support schools in developing environmental education.

The program involved teachers’ training so that they can broaden their knowledge about environmental topics. The Foundation also sponsored study projects and invited academics from the South China University of Technology to give talks at participating schools. More than 4,300 students became members of the Green Club, but the program’s impact went way beyond that as members spread their newfound knowledge among their own families and communities.

GREEN CLUB AND TEACHERS’ TRAINING

Number of teachers trained:

220

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Since 2009, the Foundation has introduced the Summer English Teaching program for children who would travel to Gaoming to visit their parents,

who are front line workers at Esquel Group, during the summer holidays. The two-week program aimed to encourage interest in learning English.

The structure of this program is a heart-warming example of how knowledge can be shared to empower others. The volunteer teachers in this program were students from the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, St. Paul’s Co-educational College and other secondary schools in Hong Kong. Through games, songs and other fun activities, the volunteers introduced the children to the fun of learning a different language and gave them a boost of confidence in using it.

SUMMER ENGLISH TEACHING

Students reached:

450

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I felt so happy when, entering the classroom, I heard them say, “Teacher, we have been waiting for you!” All the hard work was worth it. Being a volunteer teacher for the programme also helped

build my confidence. Now when I face bigger responsibilities, I am more confident that

I can do well.

Sharon Cheng, volunteer teacher, 2013

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After spending two weeks teaching the children English, I finally knew how hard it was being a teacher. I had to be very well

prepared and conscientious when I taught so that students could learn well. I also learned from the volunteering experience that if you

want something, you must fight for it.

Matthew Cheah, volunteer teacher, 2013

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We wanted the students to have a great time. We hope when they return to school after the break, they will study hard and

make good grades.

Justin Heng, volunteer teacher, 2013

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L eaving Gaoming, Sage realized that the eager young learners from these underprivileged areas have an

important role. Given better access to knowledge and learning tools, they can become ambassadors of change, leading their societies forward in a manner that is both productive and sustainable.

Curious about the Foundation’s efforts in other countries, Sage then ventured beyond the borders of China.

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Children in some areas of Vietnam faced social and economic challenges that prevented

them from enjoying formal schooling. Since 2010, the Foundation has sent volunteers to teach English at the Lop Tinh Thuong School in Ho Chi Minh City. The school was set up by missionaries to provide education to children whose migrant worker parents could not afford to put them in school. In addition to teaching, the Foundation’s volunteers helped with repairs of the school and organized activities for the students. All of the books and stationeries for these children came from donations, and the school uniforms were made by Esquel staff. Every stitch was a generous effort filled with love and the hope that the children can effect positive change through learning.

SCHOOL OF LOVE VIETNAM

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CHAPTER III

LOVE AND CARE IN TIMES OF EMERGENCY SITUATIONS

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The Foundation’s program are primarily driven by a desire to encourage learning. There are times, however – particularly in times of distress – where the Foundation

commits itself to a greater goal of showing care and compassion to those in need.

The 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami had a devastating effect on many countries in Southeast Asia. Among the affected countries was Sri Lanka, where many schools and community facilities were damaged.

The Foundation established a Tsunami Relief Fund, donating materials for the renovation of facilities at the Rohana Maha Vidyalaya School in Ahangama, which enrolled 700 students from the area. With the Foundation’s help, the school established a new assembly hall, a science room and games room, reviving the students’ educational experience. The Foundation also sponsored a library and reading program at the Amunagoda School.

The Foundation also used the Tsunami Relief Fund towards improving the Mahamodara Teaching Hospital in Galle for a the construction of sheltered waiting area, providing a much more comfortable experience for more than 140,000 outpatients and their family members annually. Today, the hospital handles more than 11,000 obstetric deliveries each year, and is also a hotbed for the next generation of medical doctors.

TSUNAMI RELIEF SRI LANKA

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The Foundation believes that rebuilding livelihood is one of the most sustainable ways of helping a

disaster-stricken community back on its feet. Following the Wenchuan earthquake in 2008, the Foundation worked with the Shan Shui Conservation Center, an environmental NGO in China, to set up honey farms, walnut farms and small-scale tea plantations so that the affected villagers can work and make a living. Two years later, the Foundation made further donations to help set up a free-range chicken farm and a Chinese herbs plantation. It also supported efforts to educate farmers and visitors on sustainable farming practices, paving the way for long term sustainable development in the area.

EARTHQUAKE RELIEF FUND SICHUAN

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Looking back on its journey, Sage is overwhelmed with warmth and gratitude to see so many donors and volunteers supporting the Foundation’s mission to

improve access to knowledge and learning opportunities.

This is, however, far from being the end of the journey. The Esquel-Y.L. Yang Education Foundation is constantly renewing its understanding of changing needs and seeking opportunities to make even greater impact.

In 2014, the Foundation has launched new programs in Guilin, China and also developing new programs in Vietnam. True to the Foundation’s commitment to encourage and promote learning, these programs will focus on nurturing knowledge and empowerment.

And so, Sage sets out on the next phase of his meaningful journey, filled with hope.

BEYOND

Copyright©2015 Esquel-Y.L. Yang Education Foundation.