China Philanthropy

SVG picked as one of the Rotary Club's Top NonProfits in Shanghai

We are thrilled to announce we are on the Rotary Club Shanghai's list of top nonprofits in Shanghai. The Rotary Club's mission is "To Build Better and Stronger Communities." They share our passion for helping China and are happy to see the other great nonprofits picked.

We want to thank the Rotary Club for highlighting our work!

To read more, please click on the following link.

Giving to the April 20 Sichuan Earthquake Victims

Following the 7.0 magnitude earthquake on April 20, Ya’an, Lushan County, Sichuan Province, China, our hearts go out to the earthquake victims, families and communities. As we have been discussing with the NGO friends, there are a number of ways to get involved. 

By April 23, RMB 438 million (~71 million USD) has been donated to 66 foundations in China, and Jet Li’s One Foundation has received the most funds for this earthquake relief. They have a reputation for professional fund management and allocation, is relatively more transparent, and disaster relief is one of their focus work areas. They have several ways for people to donate, and you can check their donation page  for more information.

Two international NGOs who have responded quickly to the needs are Give2Asia and World Vision; the latter also has a special focus on disaster relief. Their donation links for the quake are: Give2Asia and World Vision. 

In addition to the three organizations mentioned above, there are many other charities contributing in the quake zone.  The China Foundation Center is helping to publish how foundations are using the funds.  (Click to see an example article in Chinese.) 

Many people here on the ground are seeking their own ways to donate and help. For example, see recent New York Times article here.

While we are saddened to hear of the tragic loss of life and injuries caused by the disaster, we are also very encouraged to see that people are thinking about how to find the right NGOs for their donations, and seeking better and wise ways to give. 

NGO Spotlight: The Huiling Sheltered Workshop

For the past 2 years, SVG has had the pleasure of working with Geneva Global to identify grassroots NGOs in China who are passionate and driven in helping their communities. Geneva Global and SVG help these organizations operate more efficiently and effectively as to better reach their goals. As part of their annual review, Geneva Global, through the aid of SVG, highlighted different success stories from the various organizations they have been working with.

We wanted to spotlight the great work Geneva Global has been doing in China and one story in particular that touched our hearts.

Ah Feng was a fun loving kid who loved exploring his home city by riding on the city bus. After he graduated from a special education primary school, Ah Feng’s father was concerned about his future. Would he be able to survive and make a living for himself? Ah Feng and his father visited the Huiling Sheltered Workshop, an organization that helps those with mental disabilities. Ah Feng’s father thought this would be the perfect place for his son to learn some life skills and potentially some work training. Unfortunately, Ah Feng did not adjust to going to the Huiling Sheltered Workshop every day and often would leave to ride buses around the city. 

Then, the Huiling Sheltered Workshop developed a new program for an express delivery service. With Ah Feng’s detailed knowledge of the city bus routes, he was a perfect candidate for the program. Combining his passion and comprehensive understanding of the bus routes, Ah Feng delivered agricultural products from Huiling Farm to customers in and around the city.

Though Ah Feng seemed to have found his calling, Ah Feng’s parents urged him to sign up for the Emmaus Bakery Training Program when Huiling started it in April of 2012. Ah Feng was interested in baking but found it hard acclimating to being in a classroom for the first few weeks. The training program consists of a 6-month training course followed by a one-month internship at the Emmaus Bakery. Ah Feng finished the entire training program with flying colors. The instructor praised Ah Feng for being a wonderful team player, warm-hearted, and always caring and loving to help others.

 

While originally Ah Feng thought he found his true calling with his interests in buses, he is thrilled to have started a full-time position at the Emmaus Bakery this past January. He was nervous at first, but through the support of his coach, he is becoming a stronger and stronger employee and baker. He has mastered the daily operations and his responsibilities now include bread fermentation and baking. Ah Feng did not have to totally give up his bus duties. As a way of encouraging Ah Feng, he is asked to deliver bread by taking favorite bus after he finishes his work at the bakery.