Christmas
Thank You and Happy Holidays from Hope School Foundation
All of us at Hope School Foundation join together to say thank you and wish you a Happy Holiday Season and Prosperous New Year!
Poverty can bring tremendous distress; economic hardship and material scarcity can often load such a heavy burden on parents that they can hardly keep their heads above water. As a result, innocent children are affected, and deprived of the opportunity to pursue a full education. They begin their life at a huge disadvantage. This perpetuates a vicious cycle and imposes a rough destiny on those youngsters and their children. In certain instances, they become the target for others to exploit and bully.
To change the situation, it is necessary to begin with education. To provide children of poverty with a basic education is to grant them the opportunity to change their future. When education becomes universally available, the indigent environment has a chance to improve.
When I wrote the article "This Is The Time," through a self-evaluating and self-awakening process, I realized that it is imperative for the Chinese children deprived of educational opportunities to receive assistance. Led by true compassion and enthusiasm, I began to single-handedly take on the challenging task of building elementary schools in barren mountain areas. Nevertheless, one person's effort is limited and often the ability fell short of my wishes. I urgently need to seek assistance among friends like you. Only if we unite in a concerted effort and work in full cooperation will we achieve the goal of universal access to education. This was my motivation for founding the "Hope School Foundation."
Thanks to the selfless devotion of many volunteers and their enthusiastic participation, the "Hope School Foundation" was established. It has a simple mission: to provide educational opportunities to children of needy families or those who have been deprived of education in the remote rural areas in China. The foundation will do its best to provide funds to build or refurbish school buildings in remote areas or to award scholarships to aid those helpless children in fulfilling their educational pursuits.
As the Foundation is in its pioneering stage, we walk every step with great difficulty, and move forward with intense vigilance. Not only do we constantly strive to build our knowledge and skills, we also humbly seek advice from forerunners who have more experience in this field. Among the advice we received, the most valuable one came from a charitable organization for school assistance in New York. Its Director generously shared his valuable ideas and suggestions with us. This organization focuses on rendering assistance to the Southwest area in China, around the provinces of Szechwan and Kweichow. They are not in the position to expand their services to other areas in the near future. This organization earnestly urged us to join them to make the best use of our combined time and energy, and to receive the benefit of getting twice the result with half the effort. However, China is vastly spread-out geographically with an enormous population. There are countless villages, towns, and cities in the Northeastern areas equally in need of assistance. Somehow, the thought "the joy of harvest comes with intensive sweats in planting the seeds" captured me, so I decided to begin this mission from scratch. This Foundation selected the central area of He-Nan to commence our work. We hope to provide considerable assistance to those poor children.
Another good example worth following is an educational scholarship foundation in Northern California. They focus on assisting students of needy families who are in good academic standing. I recognize their good intentions, however, since academic achievement is among their criteria, many needy youths will doubtlessly be excluded. I do not believe students of weak academic performance are necessarily unintelligent or have not worked hard enough. Oftentimes, the learning environment posts such an obstacle that it hinders learning capacity. Proper education should emphasize teaching all levels with no class distinctions. Regardless of a pupil's talent and intelligence, the principle of equal opportunity in receiving education should apply to everyone. This belief led our Foundation to define our primary mission: the establishment of schools. It is our hope that we will be able to inspire others to expand our potential to maximize the benefits. Should our resources permit, we would also like to provide finance assistance to the students of needy families so they will not be compelled to discontinue their education due to financial difficulty.
The beginning stage is often the most challenging. Under conditions of limited manpower and resources, this Foundation, captured by a spirit of servicing others and heart-felt empathy, blazes a new trail. Like the pioneers, driving a cart in ragged clothes and enduring great hardship, we expend tremendous efforts in opening up a virgin land. We sincerely invite all who share with our compassion to join our team. A Chinese proverb says: "Many grains of sand piled up will make a pagoda." Let our loving and caring spirits congregate to form the power of love like a roaring river to nurture the educationally barren land. Let our loving hearts spread the seeds and help them grow into blossoms and bear fruit to yield positive results.
Banking Information
Hope School Foundation Banking Information |
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Donation, please make check payable to:
HOPE SCHOOL FOUNDATION
Mail to:
3115 Merrill Dr., #51
Torrance, CA 90503
USA
Our Mission
Building the "Hope School" in China's poor areas has always been the mission and goal of our Foundation.
Everyone deserves an education for a better future. We hope that with these schools, the students will embrace new knowledge and study diligently to improve themselves and the community.
In this life we can not do great things. We can only do small things with great LOVE.
Let us care and help each other to live in peace and happiness.
「十年樹木,百年樹人。」教育是國家的根本大計,兒童更是國家未來的主人翁。能夠接受良好的基礎教育,對一個人的前途發展至關重要。而幫助貧窮的孩子在安全良好的環境裡就學,即是我們基金會的宗旨。
為了作育英才,而能夠對建校助學盡一份心力,我們感到很高興。
誠心希望同學們珍惜光陰、努力向學。將來飲水思源,也能扶助弱小、關愛他人,使社會和諧幸福。
人生的意義和價值就在於此。
Process
All funding requests undergo a thorough review process by the Foundation. Based on the needs of each application, The Overseas-Chinese Affairs Office of Nanyang Goverment in Henan Province, P.R.C. will conduct a site visit and collect pertinent data such as school construction permit from government, estimates of construction cost, supplies, manpower, and building blueprints. The officers on duty will then compile a report and submit it to the Hope School Foundation in United States either by fax or email. Upon approval from the Board of Directors, allocated funds will be wired directly to a designated account of a local bank in China. This account should be pre-approved by all parties involved to ensure fiscal integrity and to prevent improper financial operation.
It is the belief of the Board that in order to optimize the service area and the number of children receiving benefits, the responsibility of school facility construction should not be carried single-handedly by those in the United States. Local government, civic leaders, and villagers should all share and contribute. As the Chinese proverb said: "Those who help themselves will receive assistance from others." By working together, we can expedite the whole process. The end result and the product of such collaboration will be cherished and highly valued by everyone involved. After consultation, the above concept of a three-leg partnership, namely, the Hope School Foundation, local government and the villagers, has been accepted and endorsed by the Chinese. However, should the villagers of a particular area have undue financial hardship; the Hope School Foundation will be willing to contribute additional financial support upon verification of such a need.
Regarding the scholarship allocation, the evaluation will be handled by the school teachers. They will evaluate the needs of all applicants and establish a priority list based on needs. The list should be approved by the officers of the Overseas-Chinese Affairs Office of Nanyang Goverment in China first, and then submitted to the Board for final determination. Upon approval, scholarship funds will be wired to the same bank mentioned above. Funds will be distributed to the selected students at the beginning of each semester.
For the sake of long term benefits for all students involved, the concept of one-on-one sponsorship for needy students is encouraged. We will recruit overseas sponsors and provide them with proper channels to communicate with the child directly. This will not only improve the mutual understanding between the sponsor and the student, but also foster trust and build a good bonding between the two parties. We believe this relationship can further strengthen the healthy outlook of these students. Those poor children will realize that they live in a world full of hope and love, and their future is promising. Simultaneously, the words of encouragement and guidance from the sponsors will certainly enhance the children social skills and academic achievements.
For the sponsors, they will receive even a greater benefit. The feelings of being able to lend a helping hand to less fortunate children give them a sense of self-fulfillment. It grants them an opportunity to appreciate the blessings they have and bring true happiness. This feeling of satisfaction is priceless and irreplaceable. This is the true significance of life.
Your acts of love light up the poor children's lives!
Summary:
School Class |
Annual Tuition Financial Supports |
High School |
US $220.00 |
先由中國地方政府僑務辦公室〈以下簡穪僑辦〉根據當地需要,經實地勘察屬實後,作成報告並彙集經該地有關機關核定之學校修建校舍申請書、所需材料、人工估算 書及設計施工圖,以傳真或電子邮件方式傳送美國愛心助學基金會。經董事會開會審核決議後,以電滙方式將核准之金額款項滙至僑辦所指定的中國銀行帳戶。為了 防微杜漸、避免弊端,該銀行帳戶設定為專款專用,不得任意挪作他用,僑辦負有嚴格監督之責,以確保該捐款按本會要求使用。
幾經本會討論斟酌,咸認為了擴大服務範圍和幚助更多孩童,修建學校不應單單只是美方的責任。而且「自助人助,自重人重。」當地政府、領導幹部、學校本身、以 及村民群眾,多多少少也應該盡一份心力才對。這樣大家辦起事來也比較快速順利,而且多了份參與,對建成的校舍也會更加珍惜和愛護。經過多次交涉溝通,中方 終於接受此一構想,由三方各出一份力。但如果學校或村民確實有困難,經察證屬實後,則美方願意多付。爾後“愛心小學”的籌建,即根據此一模式比照辦理。
致於發放獎助學金部份:先由瞭解情況的學校老師,將環境窮困的學生造表列冊,交給僑辦作初歩核對確認之後,將名單送交美方覆議。俟同意後滙款至上述銀行帳戶,再由校方及僑辦指派專人於開學前擇定時日,公開直接分發給所需學生。
為 了長此以往,也為了孩子的將來著想,基金會認為以個別認養方式較為妥當。由本會在海內外徵召有心人士,透過該員與所認養的學生單獨直接交往。一方面捐献人 可以進一步深入了解認養學生的需要和確實掌握捐款的流向,另一方面由於人性的接觸和情感的交流,彼此在良性互動中更能加深信任。不僅使那些可憐的孩子感受 人間有愛、未來並不那麼悲哀,而且由於認養人對他們的安慰和鼓勵及課業上的指導,更可以使他們在讀書求學與做人處事方面獲得莫大助益。
然而,對捐款人的幚助更大。行有餘力扶助弱小,不僅使自己感覺富有而生活有義意,更由於自己的慈悲心而更能惜福感恩,內心滿溢著幸福和喜樂。這是任何人無法奪去,也是任何事無法取代的。生命的價值就在於此!
附記:
中國政府現在對小學及初中貧困學生實施兩免一補政策,而高中貧困學生則無此種補助。本會認為高中教育是人生中最重要的轉捩點,故從今往後把高中貧困學生列為主要資助對象。
級別 |
一學年學費輔助金額 |
高中 |
US $220.00 |
Our Logo-標誌
Companies and organizations often use logos, trademarks, totems, and signs to characterize their mission or symbolize their principles.
The logo of the Hope School Foundation was designed with the following ideals and thoughts in mind:
“Ears of Wheat”—fragrant and abundant kernels, symbolizing growth opportunity and hope.
“Dove”—tender and gentle, symbolizing peace and fraternity.
(The Dove, flying westward, is carrying our compassion and love across the Pacific Ocean to mainland China.)
The three colors of red, blue and green represent, respectively:
“Red”—hot as fire, passionate and emancipating; represents sacrifice and dedication.
“Blue”—deep and profound as the ocean, immense, enduring, inclusive and magnanimous, represents benevolence and munificence.
“Green”—tranquil as a forest, flourishing and prosperous; represents joy and good fortune.