TFish NGO Spotlight Interview: Mu Lan Community Center

The following is an interview of the Mu Lan Community Center, an organization that provides social services to the working class and their children. To view the original interview in Chinese, please go here.
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T-Fish: Transparent Fish is committed to providing free technology, marketing, fundraising, and management consulting services to help NGOs raise funds and support for their projects. It is our honor to have the founder of the Beijing Mu Lan Community Center, Ms. Qi Li Xia, here with us today. Could you introduce yourself, Ms. Qi?

Miss Qi: Hello everyone! It’s a pleasure to be here today. My name is Qi Li Xia, and I am from the Henan province. A few years ago, as a working person, I got a chance to be a volunteer. I really found the work to be meaningful, and since then, I've been taking on public service jobs.

T-Fish: What inspired you to start this activity center?

Miss Qi: While I was working outside of my hometown I met many fellow blue collar workers. I realized that there weren't too many public welfare organizations serving these working sisters. So, I thought of starting an organization myself! The three ladies who established this organization with me came up with the name "Mu Lan", because we thought the name was symbolic of our hopes and expectations. First of all, Mu Lan is a flower that represents womanhood (in China).  Secondly, Mu Lan is a famous legendary figure who possessed many characteristics similar to those of our sisters - for example, working far away from home and making great contributions to her family and society. I hope that we sisters can be as brave and courageous as Mu Lan, challenging old, oppressive traditions and pursuing self-independence. It is our hope that more and more workers and their children can receive our services.

T-Fish: Thanks you for the interesting history! What is most rewarding about what you do?

Miss Qi: I think doing public service is not just about helping others, but also about fulfilling our own values at the same time. It has made me become more satisfied with myself.

T-Fish: How did the Transparent Fish platform help you?

Miss Qi: Since we started this organization ourselves, we did not have much management experience. Transparent Fish has helped us organize our information and resources better. Also, through T-Fish we have received transparent information from people who support our organization.

T-Fish: What do you think about the T-Fish NGO plan?

Miss Qi: It encourages us step-by-step to finally establish a cooperative relationship with T-Fish.

T-Fish: Thank you for sharing with us. We hope you will receive more support for your organization in the future.
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Transcribed and translated by TFish Staff Shishi Ma; edited by U.S. Intern Kaitlyn Cheung.