2018 Fu Gala – a Gathering of Those Who Care
Working Together – All for Our Kids

Over 700 passionate towards charity guests gathered on June 22 at the Premier Ballroom and Convention Centre for the 14^th Fu Gala organized by the Fu Hui Education Foundation. They had only one objective – to educate disadvantaged children as echoed in this year’s theme “All for Our Kids”.

Fu Hui’s Library Development Program in China and Canada in the past three years has received praises from schools and students alike. This year, fundraising efforts continued at the Gala where generous donors fully funded the 50 library corners in China while donated goods were snatched up by guests in the cash and carry and silent auction sections. Gala Co-Chairs Mr. Bammy Wong and Ms. Wu Bing thanked everyone’s support. Fu Hui’s  Chair Mr. Stanley Kwan and President Mrs. Judy San pledged their ongoing commitment to work hard for the children.

Results of Fu Hui’s achievements over the years were profiled at the Gala including a video of a student interview. One student “A Gen Mo Ci Zha”  , from the Yi Minority Tribe in Liangshan spoke about receiving Fu Hui’s support from Grade 1. After her father’s suicide and her mother leaving to remarry,  A Gen Mo Ci Zha  was lucky to have met the Fu Hui volunteers on one of their annual visits in 2006. Twelve years later, she has become a healthcare professional, full of confidence for the future. “With Fu Hui’s assistance, my life has a hundred thousand possibilities .... even Chairman Xi and his wife visited us in Liangshan. With my education, I can change my destiny through hard work.”

Fu Hui has rewritten the life stories of a generation of Liangshan children receiving accolades from local government. In January 2018, Fu Hui succeeded in getting China’s Foreign NGO (non government organization) registration certificate. In a joint planning meeting in May 2018, Fu Hui was thanked by Liangshan state government officials for over a decade of supporting education in the region. 

Furthermore, earlier in June at an opening of a library in an aboriginal elementary school, the principal was grateful for Fu Hui’s generosity: “The library is very important to the community. We would not have been able to do this without Fu Hui’s help.” 

In addressing the guests at the gala, Chairman Stanley Kwan thanked everyone’s support over the years: “All for our kids – Fu Hui people are not afraid of hard work. I sincerely thank our friends and volunteers for joining us on this journey, building a better future for our kids.”

As society changes, Fu Hui Education Foundation evolves its’ programs to support the government’s changes in policies. President Judy San explained at the gala how the “Fu Hui Model” has been applied in the region. Examples include supporting the Sichuan Province in the “One Village, One Child” program for preschoolers; offering clean uniforms, personal hygiene supplies, education on healthy daily habits in the “Whole School Culture” program, elevating personal hygiene for all students in the school. Mrs. San stressed that the Fu Hui model is more than donating money, it is also about caring deeply for the students.  “We emphasize for the students from the beginning that money is not everything, one must also have love.” This love is evident in the students who return to Liangshan after teacher’s college to return to their village to work, for the education of the next generation. Lucie Santoro, Director of Administration and Operations from the Martin Family Initiatives acknowledged Fu Hui’s contribution to the First Nations  community  and pledged to continue to work together for the benefit of the children in Canada.

Special guest, Acting Chinese Consulate General Mr. Zhuang Yao Dong thanked Fu Hui’s contribution to education in China stating their ongoing support for Fu Hui’s work.  Gala Masters of Ceremony were Richmond Hill City councillor, Castro Liu, and television host Rebecca Yu. The  guests enjoyed performances by famous singer Wang Yue, Teacher Jennifer Lee, and Lee’s student Susanna Li. Their Grand finale was everyone’s favourite – the Grateful Heart.

The gala thanks all its supporters including title sponsor Premier Ballroom & Convention Centre; production and entertainment sponsor HSBC, printing sponsor Creative Path, community partners Toronto Fo Guang Shan, Browne, Great Lakes College, Hillhurst Enterprises Inc, Jay & Chui Group – Scotia Wealth Management, Wan Kin Yip Accountant, Liu Fu Yu Charity Foundation, Mandarin, Mak Fay Pan Law Firm, Ms Yan Rong, Peak Garden, Roy Li, Tai Pan Tours, Sun Fai Real Estate and Foody Group.