Upon hearing of the severe flooding in Guangxi which destroyed many schools and village hospitals, the director of the Foundation, Ms. H. S. Chau, made a contribution of RMB5 million in a generous, benevolent gesture. Proceeds are earmarked for the restoration of the 15 schools and 10 hospitals damaged by the flooding, enabling students to return to new classrooms when the schools reopen in September.

Ms. Chau is a committee member of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference of the Guangxi Autonomous Region.
Yesterday morning, a ceremony was held in honor of Ms. Chau, officiated by key government officials. Vice-Chairman of the Guangxi Autonomous Region Mr Zhang expressed his admiration towards Ms. Chau's kind spirit of giving. "Bringing coal on a snowy, winter's day" as a Chinese saying goes. A government representative thanked Ms. Chau on behalf of 47 million residents.

Since 1999, the Foundation has donated RMB7 million to poor regions in Guangxi province for the erection of 50 "Tomorrow Primary Schools" and the training of 200 female village teachers. The Foundation has indeed made significant contributions to our region.

Nanning Daily 2001-07-25

Speech by Ms. Chau at the Donation Ceremony

I am delighted to visit Nanning again. I thank the officials for organizing this ceremony.
News of flooding seem particularly frequent in recent years. Every time I hear of it, it strikes me with a new discomfort. Natural disasters, like aging, are unavoidable. Perhaps only through the process of struggling and rebuilding do we grasp the spirit of mutual cooperation. For the benefit of others as well as oneself, various problems are better conquered through a collective effort.

A letter from Guangxi told me that the flood has washed away many schools, leaving may students without a place to learn. I personally believe that resurrecting schools is a very important matter, perhaps more critical, more pressing than rebuilding homes. Because ignorance is life's biggest enemy, society's heavy burden. Only through raising education levels continuously can each of us secure a better, happier, more productive life to the greater good of society.
Once again I thank everyone for giving me the opportunity to overcome this problem with you all.

Thank you.