In late 2014 we launched a campaign to raise sponsorship for the Seng Girls Vocational Training School (SGVTS) located in the Qinghai-Tibetan plateau, one of the poorest areas in China.
Girls in this part of China are particularly at risk as culturally they are perceived to have a ‘lesser value’ than boys. Nomadic tribal beliefs are deep-rooted and being born a girl is widely considered to be penance for wrongdoings in a previous life. Many girls are orphaned or abandoned. Many end up in slave-like conditions where they are abused and badly treated. Even though education is available to everyone in China, for many of them it is not a realistic option.
Set up in 2005, the SGVTS not only offers girls the opportunity to receive an education, it offers them a safe and nurturing environment where they can live and thrive, take joy in learning, playing, looking after each other, and be cared for. The organization also provides extended vocational training for those who complete their secondary schooling and those who struggle to bridge the learning gap from missed classes with learning opportunities across China to further prepare them to make a meaningful contribution to society.
Since we launched the campaign in 2014, Li & Fung colleagues have raised US$106,080 to support a brighter future for girls at SGVTS. This is further supplemented by a matching donation from Fung (1906) Foundation.
This is what Jigmed Lhamo, a recipient of a Fung (1906) Foundation scholarship had to say:
“I graduated from Seng Girls Vocational Training School last year and enrolled in advanced painting at Qinghai Art School. Being able to go to a good school and learn drawing from professional teachers has been my dream for many years, and I am very, very happy to be here. My goal after I graduate is to draw Thangka paintings. Thangka are special paintings that hang in temples and Thangka painters are respected by everyone. I will keep working hard to achieve excellent results until I graduate.”
Supporting Asian University for Women
Li & Fung continues to support the Asian University for Women (AUW), Asia’s premier liberal arts university for women in Asia and one of only two international universities in Bangladesh. Our work with AUW includes mentoring students, providing our expertise. In addition, the Fung Foundation extended our partnership through a commitment to support 15 Fung Scholars from AUW each year for five years starting from 2014.
