Little Red Scarf is in Lanzhou, Gansu province and provides financial support and encouragement to children suffering from congenital heart disease. In addition, they provide families with post-operative care and help the children sustain a healthy lifestyle.

When we stepped into Caiyan’s home, we saw 3 children running around and eating apples in the yard. They were a little shy in front of the camera. The child pictured in the middle is Caiyan. She is 7 and the ones beside her are 2 younger sisters.

It was a busy farming season, so Caiyan’s mother went to her hometown to help their grandmother. Caiyan’s father was out for work. Caiyan and her 2 sisters had to stay were staying with her uncle’s family. 

Seeing three girls running in the yard, we were so relieved to see Caiyan recover fully. Her auntie told us her wound was healing well and she ate well after the operation. Caiyan and her younger sister are in Grade 1, so they only stayed shortly for lunch before walking back to school with other children in the village.

Caiyan's family has suffered from a number of hardships and struggle to reach financial independence. Her grandmother has lost her sight and is highly dependent on others. Her father injured his thumb doing wood work, and then he had to take an ear operation for severe ear infection. Caiyan’s younger sister recently injured her eye when she was playing. These medical costs have been costly for Caiyan's family, but luckily Caiyan's congenital heart disease is one problem off their plate. 

Her aunt was extremely grateful for all of our donors and has become our number one supporter! She has been putting up our pamphlets and posters to help spread our cause. We hope we can reach out to other families like theirs through our Little Red Scarf Project!

Original article written by Aiju Chang, translated by Maggie Li, and edited by Yanyan Zhang

TFISH often goes beyond what most people expect out of a non-profit. We work hard to understand and address the needs of people on an individual level. On April 15th, my colleague Guan-yin and I went to visit the family member of one of our surgery recipients. For those of you who have been following our 1000th recipient, Hongyan, you know that her family has been struggling financially. Hongyan's aunt  Xiao Ma is a very hardworking and kind person that stayed with Hongyan during her time in the hospital.  Xiaoma sent her two children to her mother-in-law’s house, stopped working in the busy farm, and stayed with Hongyan until she was released from the hospital. During our time with Hongyan, we got to know their family well and we continued to visit them after her surgery. 

This is where Xiaoma temporarily lives. Xiaoma is very skilled at raising sheep, and she is currently using this space to work. The family to whom this place belongs works in the cities and rarely comes back, so her family moved into this home instead. They have been living here for three years ago and is thankful they have a place to live.

Last week, TFISH Executive Director Nancy Nguyen was interviewed as part of the "In Our Community" segment for local TV station KMVT.  As Marketing Coordinator of TFISH,
I have been invited to a number of interesting events on behalf of TFISH, but this was my first time taking part in a live taping of a television interview. 

Before the taping started, Nancy and I prepped in the hall way and talked with the KMVT staff about our work. Our graphic designer Sharmila also showed up representing TFISH. It was after work hours and a Friday night so we were so appreciative - and surprised - that she came to help out. This is another example of how TFISH staff goes beyond the call of duty. It's always great to have our dedicated supporters around no matter how big or small the event. 

When we were called in, a small audience took their seats in the front row. A man from the sound room shouted out directions to the three cameraman. It took a few tries to get the camera angles and microphones just right. But once we started rolling, all the tension melted away and it felt like listening in on a normal conversation between two people. 

After the taping, the people at the station expressed their love for TFISH, and the manager wanted to feature us on more interviews!  I'm so excited about the prospects of working with KMVT and getting our story across to a greater audience. Hopefully, there will be more tapings to come...

Have an idea on the type of interviews you want us to do? Please email me at: [email protected]

I'll keep you all updated on when the show will air. Thanks to KMVT staff for making us feel welcome!  Watch us On Comcast 15 and 26 in Mountain View, Los Altos and Cupertino. AT&T U-Verse channel 99 throughout the Bay Area

The following update was a letter from our partner organization Daklak Ministries. 

Dear Transparent Fish Fund, 

Last month, there were many visitors at my home, and there is a story I would like to tell you. I know a lady named Xan-Diu. She was 7 months pregnant when I first met her and was anxious since she has had a history of premature births. Her husband and father in-law are both mentally ill and her older daughter who is 9 year old cannot walk or speak. Her baby was born at 3.3 pounds, but luckily he survived and is 6 month old now. In May, while I was serving God’s works in Tuy Hoa, the news came to me that her husband Dung was lost. I then posted the information to look for him on the internet. We prayed, and finally we found him and brought him home.  

Another story, 3 weeks ago, about 11pm when I was sleeping, a phone call from Ms Ngan, reported that there was a 17 day old baby that needed an adoption. Since it was late, I didn’t talk much but told her that I would come tomorrow. The following morning when I was praying in the church, she called again. I finally ran over to a hot and tiny dorm room, located upstairs, to see Ms Ngan, Mrs. Loan, and her new born girl Thien Nhi. Mrs. Loan is a 22 year old Pharmacy Technician and was raped by a neighbor. I took Mrs. Loan and the baby home with me and I am currently trying to contact the child's father. He needs to take responsibility for his actions for the well-being of his child. I have kept the baby’s birth certificate as an evidence.

I will send more information for you in the next letter. Wishing you and your family peace and happiness.  

 

 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(via CYLF News Release)

Hong Kong, 10th June 2014 –
Changing Young Lives Foundation (CYLF) is delighted to announce its collaboration with Transparent Fish Fund. Striving to improve the quality of education for children in impoverished areas of mainland China, CYLF is most grateful to have Transparent Fish Fund’s sponsorship of a heating supply project for Daotanghe Central Boarding School in Qinghai, where the students are desperately in need of heating supply for the winter. This project will equip the school with the necessary heating facilities to provide the students with warm classrooms. The children would otherwise have to study in chilly weather with temperature as low as -30 degree Celsius.

CYLF’s Executive Director Tammy Leung says, “We depend solely on public support and donations, by choice, we do not receive government subvention so as to remain flexible in developing our programmes to meet the imminent needs of children and youth, both in Hong Kong and the mainland. The support of Transparent Fish Fund is most significant to help us maintain and develop our services”.

Changing Young Lives Foundation is one of the few first charities working in Qinghai and over the decade has supported the continuous development of 18 primary and secondary schools in terms of school reconstruction, building of dormitory, canteen and solar bathroom, clean water supply, healthcare and hygiene improvement, as well as teacher training and medical support. 

Together with our support to 3 other project schools in Guangxi and Gansu, we endeavour to help enhance the learning, boarding and teaching environment in the deprived rural regions of mainland China. CYLF is proud to become a trustworthy partner of Transparent Fish Fund which emphasizes the transparency and accountability of the organizations it supports, and supports the capacity building of selected NGOs. We look forward to a continuous partnership in building a better future for children in the mainland.

"What can I do?" was the first question she asked when Priscilla Chan became aware of the problems of international trafficking. Leaving her six-figure salary, Priscilla decided to make an impact by becoming a consultant for Hagar Cambodia's Legal and Protection Unit. She is currently assisting trafficked children in testifying against criminals. "I could no longer pretend that nothing happened and continue to work, shop, and eat. That day I said to myself, I really want to do everything I can to help these individuals."

According to the 2009 United Nations' “Global Report on Trafficking in Persons," every year about 800,000 to 4,000,000 people are sold in trafficking. 80% of people are forced to engage in the sex industry, and Cambodia is one of the most problematic places. Due to limited social resources, women or children refugees could only stay at Hagar and other NGOs. Priscilla’s mission is to assist the victims in the daunting task of testifying in court. She helps her victims as best she can, fight through the fears of confronting their attacker and reliving traumatic experiences.

On March 14th 2014 at 7:00 pm, Hong Yan was released from the ICU. She was smiling all the way to the general ward. Her family members have been promising her that this day would come. When she came out from the ICU, other patients and their family members took turns to visit her. She felt like an important person. 

Hong Yan began to do exercise which she did with increasing confidence. We were excited to see she was walking step by step. We then showed her the stationery and nutrition packages we prepared for her. She was smiling happily with 2 growing front teeth exposed to us. Her mother was smiling.  

Yesterday Hongyan’s cousin took her to Lanzhou for the three month post-surgery check-up.

She was calm and collected when the doctor performed the ultrasound. We remembered how frightened she was with this procedure before the surgery. Her chest area is no longer protruding and her skin has healed smoothly. There is still a piece of thread from the surgery that has not yet fallen off, and until then Hongyan's wounds cannot be submersed in water. The doctors said that Hongyan’s wounds are recovering very well. 

We would like to thank everyone who have been tracking Hongyan’s progress, especially the donors overseas. We are so excited to see Hongyan’s dramatic change over the past few months. Let us hope together than Hongyan and her family will start a  new chapter in their lives.

Thank Little Red Scarf and donors. The operation costs would be fully supported. Hong Yan is the 1000th benefited person supported by Little Red Scarf in Gansu province. 

Special thank Mr. and Mrs. Chao, Mr. He Yuanming, Daniel Nguyen, Ranka Family, Thuy Hoang, Thuy Nguyen, Diep Huynh, Kim Chi CongTon, Nga Nguyen, Chung Truong,  Ying Ying Wang, Kris Wang, Wenzhi Zhang, Wei Jin Dai, Huang Family, Jei Shuan Chen, Miao Yeh, Hung Hoang, Mark Kieu, Ellen Yuan, Tad Park, Charlie Bui, Arlene Samen, Hillary Brown, Li Tao, Tue Nguyen, Xi Li, Dr. Henry and Mrs. Lisa Chang

Original article written by Yujie Yun, translated by Maggie Li, and edited by Yanyan Zhang

Little Red Scarf is in Lanzhou, Gansu province and provides financial support and encouragement to children suffering from congenital heart disease. In addition, they provide families with post-operative care and help the children sustain a healthy lifestyle.

The name of Doudou reminded me of a round and lovely face, but our Doudou was thin and small due to congenital heart disease. She was 2 with short hair. 3 months after the operation, her mother brought her for re-examination. Her hair was still short, but each index showed normal. Her mother relieved. 

When we met Doudou again at her home 1.5 years later, she became shy. Her mother said she was extremely timid and seldom speaks to strangers. We stayed for about 1 hour and she did not speak a word. Children living in remote areas seldom saw strangers, so most of them are shy. 

Doudou’s younger brother was 10 months. He was chubby and lovely. He got hydrocephalus a few months after birth. The family spent about 20000RMB for the treatment. Doudou’s grandmother was very sad.

Her grandmother got cataract and had a bad vision. To save money for the operation for Doudou, her grandmother gave up the treatment. When Doudou was treated, her brother got hydrocephalus. The grandparents could not do manual work. Only the father supported the family, but he could not go out to find a job due to the family situation. 

The weather affected the harvest of the peasants. If the weather promises, they can earn some money for the medical expanses of the child. Because of bad weather last year, the harvest was poor. We found Doudou’s father concerned a lot when we chatted with the family.

It was not easy for the family. Though the situation is not optimistic, they believe that they are still young and tomorrow would be better. We said goodbye to the family and will pray for the family. 

Original article written by Aiju Chang, translated by Maggie Li, and edited by Yanyan Zhang

June 8th 2014, LOS ALTOS, CA -- New Heart Benefit Concert was held last week at the Foothill Covenant Church to raise money for congenital heart surgeries in rural China. TFISH intern Lauren Kam and her family spent weeks preparing for this event. Lauren went out to local businesses for sponsorships. Her sisters Beth and Emily created handmade gifts for donors. Her mother and father spent the day decorating and setting up the auditorium. Young volunteers dedicated their time and energy to play for the concert. From the program pamphlets to the desserts at reception, every detail was created with care. 

The benefit was a heart-warming success. In such a short amount of time, Lauren was able to raise $4,445. However, she is still hoping to reach the $6,000 mark to fund 3 surgeries. All proceeds are going towards the non-profit Little Red Scarf, a medical program of Transparent Fish Fund. Donations will go directly to recipient surgery and health care fees. Lauren will be personally making a trip to Gansu this summer to visit the patients in the Little Red Scarf hospital. 

To help Lauren reach her goal: http://www.stayclassy.org/fundraise?fcid=311006

Helping Orphans Worldwide (HOW) is pleased to be the recipient of a $15,000 grant from the Chao Foundation and Transparent Fish Fund. The funds have been granted to support HOW's Epidermolysis Bullosa (EB) program. EB is a rare genetic skin disease that causes the skin to be so fragile that the slightest friction can cause severe blistering inside and outside the body. Today there is no cure, but HOW is working with local doctors and nurses to provide wound care, education and medical supplies.  

The grant will also go towards the implementation of a new project to support individuals suffering from Leprosy. HOW's Moringatree program aims to start with helping people living with Leprosy to have a healthier life, and hopes to eventually help thousands who are malnourished reach sustainability. This is the third consecutive year HOW has received a grant from the Chao Foundation and Transparent Fish Fund.  

About Transparent Fish Fund
Transparent Fish Fund is a 501©(3) US non-profit organization founded in 2011 in Palo Alto, California, established exclusively for charitable purposes to connect credible Chinese and East Asian grassroots NGOs with individuals from the West. The greater mission behind this work is to foster a sustainable long-term NGO culture in East Asia, and in doing so, spread a global spirit of philanthropy.

About Chao Foundation
The Ping and Amy Chao Family Foundation was founded in California’s Silicon Valley in 2005 by Ping Chao and his wife Amy. The foundation was established to fund nonprofit and public welfare initiatives that (1) improve children’s health in developing countries; and (2) nurture a spirit of philanthropy among the younger generation in China and of the greater Chinese Diaspora. While the Chao Foundation is based in the Bay Area and has local projects, many of its programs focus on developing countries in East Asia, from China and Cambodia to Vietnam.