Each year, through “Heritage 100 X Tutelage 100,” the after-school tutor program initiated by the China Development Foundation, China Development Financial (CDF) provides financial aids to 100 university students who commit 100 volunteering hours to tutor underprivileged students. Ms. Shan-Jung Yu, Executive Director of China Development Foundation has recently attended the program orientation, encouraging the scholarship recipients to make an impact and "be the light in children's lives."
The Foundation announces the scholarship recipients of “Heritage 100 X Tutelage 100” in August each year. Then in September, CDF organizes a tutorial orientation for the 100 students who gather together and pledge to devote 100 tutoring hours to underprivileged school children to overcome learning obstacles. Ms. Yu attended the orientation event on behalf of the Chairman of China Development Foundation, Mr. Angelo J. Y. Koo this year.
In her speech, Ms. Yu also shared a story about a young man from Ukraine who Chairman Koo met in the Czech Republic many years ago. The young man had studied at Johns Hopkins University but had dropped out because of poverty. After agreeing on an academic standard with the student, Chairman Koo generously sponsored the student with a scholarship to complete his studies. Today, the young man has graduated and continually given back to help others.
Passing on experiences and giving back to the community is what the initiative is all about. Drawing on her past experience as a tutor, Ms. Yu emphasized that the focus of the program is not only about academic assistance, but care for students’ well-being. “Don't underestimate the importance of these 100 hours," she said, encouraging the incoming CDF volunteers, “you might just become the light in somebody’s life.”
As the scholarship recipients share similar socioeconomic backgrounds with the school children they tutor, they are able to help the children find the motivation to learn through companionship and empathy. For example, Shih-Hao Huang, who just graduated from the College of Mechanical & Electrical Engineering (CMEE) at National Taipei University of Technology, has returned to his elementary school as a volunteer for two years in a row. As a mechanical engineering graduate, Huang has used 3D printing and handcrafted mechanical toys to arouse students' interest to learn.
CDF’s “Heritage 100 X Tutelage 100” program has entered its 14th year, with a total of NT$70mn invested and 1,400 college student participants. More than 1,400 children and their families have benefited from the program as far. CDF has continually fulfilled its ESG (environment, social and governance) mandate. Giving back to society is the starting point. The Foundation expects the recipients to extend the mission of the program to give back to the community, to make an impact and to be the inspiration for others.
