Celebrating 20 Years of The Chen Yet-Sen Family Foundation

Twenty years ago, The Chen Yet-Sen Family Foundation (CYSFF) embarked on a journey with a simple yet profound belief: that access to learning and development opportunities could transform lives and uplift communities.

As I reflect on the anniversary of our foundation, I am filled with a deep sense of gratitude and pride for the work accomplished. But while we celebrate, I am also reflective of the driving force behind our mission: the enduring spirit of giving that both my grandfather, Mr. Chen Zao-Men, and my late father, Mr. Robert Yet-Sen Chen, instilled in our family.

The Genesis of the Foundation: A Vision Rooted in Legacy

Our foundation’s origins can be traced back to my father’s return to his hometown of Qidong, China after more than 40 years. Having lived through a childhood marked by war, poverty, and famine, my father was determined to give back to the community that had shaped him.

He worked diligently, building schools and hospitals, while also funding essential public work in Qidong, always with the belief that his contributions were more than financial—they were an investment of time, knowledge, and heart. His approach to philanthropy was hands-on and deeply personal, a philosophy that continues to guide the Foundation’s work today.

When my father passed away, his legacy became our north star. A visit to a dimly lit, understocked library in Qidong––one that my father had originally financed––sparked a realisation within me. The library, meant to inspire a love for reading––especially for the younger generation––was falling short of its full potential.

This was a lightbulb moment and set the course for what would become The Chen Yet-Sen Family Foundation’s enduring mission: to ignite a passion for reading and learning among children and to address barriers to education.

A Legacy of Impact

Over the past 20 years, the Foundation has made significant strides. We’ve initiated and supported numerous projects that have had a lasting impact on communities across the globe.

In 2006, we established Bring Me A Book Hong Kong, an initiative that promotes parent-child reading. This project has been instrumental in fostering a culture of reading in Hong Kong, where the joy of shared literary experiences has brought families closer together. Through this initiative, we have installed hundreds of bookcases across education centres in Hong Kong and worked to provide access to quality picture books in English and Chinese for over 180,000 children.

In 2007, we initiated The Stone Soup Happy Reading Alliance in Hefei, a ‘software’ approach to improving literacy rates by promoting a free and independent reading culture within schools. Through encouraging a love of reading, this alliance has empowered students to explore the world through books and develop critical thinking skills.

Not long afterwards, the Feng Zikai Chinese Children’s Picture Book Award was launched in 2009 to encourage the creation and appreciation of original Chinese-language picture books. This award has not only helped to celebrate the creativity of authors and illustrators but also enriched the literary experiences of countless children all over the world.

Most recently, with the support of the Shanghai Soong Ching Ling Foundation, we launched the Jing-Sen Children Happy Reading Fund in September 2024. This initiative will continue our work in promoting children’s reading in Mainland China, with a renewed focus on elevating the quality of original Chinese children’s picture books and advocating for a culture of reading for pleasure. It’s an exciting new chapter in our journey and one that I believe will have a lasting impact on the lives of children across the region.

I am proud to share that The Chen Yet-Sen Family Foundation has funded 208 programs, including 111 for child literacy, 71 for experiential learning, and six community education initiatives for Hong Kong’s low-income ethnic minority communities. We have also partnered with 129 organisations, including supporting nine capacity-building programs for non-profit organisations in Mainland China and Hong Kong.

These numbers, while impressive, only tell part of the story. The real impact is seen in the lives touched, the futures brightened, and the communities strengthened.

Honouring Our Partners and Supporters

All of our achievements have been made possible due to our devoted community; our board members, consultants, staff, and partners. I want to extend a special thanks to all of you who have walked with The Chen Yet-Sen Family Foundation over the past two decades. Your unwavering support, passion and belief in our mission have been the driving force behind the Foundation’s growth and success. Together, we have been able to meet the needs of many, deliver impactful programs, and make a difference in the lives of countless individuals.

To these amazing organisations and individuals, I say – “Thank you. Whether you’ve been with us from the beginning or joined us along the way, your contributions have been invaluable.”

As I reflect on the past 20 years, I am filled with a sense of fulfilment and hope. The Chen Yet-Sen Family Foundation has grown from a small, family-driven initiative into a global force for good. Our work has positively impacted so many lives, and I am confident that our future endeavours will continue to build on this legacy.

Here’s to the next 20 years and beyond, of making a difference. One book, and one child at a time.