Evergreen Education Foundation
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EMPOWER THE FUTURE

Creating Educational Opportunities in Rural China

Over 25 Years of Legacy and Impact

2001
2004
2010
2017
2006
2008
2012
2014
2016

2001

The Evergreen Education Foundation (EEF) was spearheaded and founded by Dr. Faith Chao in 2001 along with co-founders Dr. Eileen Tang and Dr. Ruth Hafter. Seed money was donated by Mr. Richard Hsin, a Hong Kong entrepreneur and philanthropist.

2004

In 2004, EEF won the Access to Learning Award from The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. In the same year, EEF organized its first International Conference in Beijing, China. The theme was: Learning from Different Cultures.

2010

Evergreen organized its fourth International Conference ITIE 2010 in Lanzhou, Gansu, China. The theme: Inspirations from Best Practices.

2017

In 2017, Dr. Chao retired after 16 years of leadership, and Dr. Winnie Wong was selected as President by the Board of Directors.

2006

EEF organized its second International Conference ITIE 2006 in Kunming, Yunnan, China. The theme: Ethics and Knowledge.

2008

EEF organized its third International Conference ITIE 2008 in ITIE 2008 in Huzhou, Zhejiang, China. The theme: Connecting Rural Communities.

2012

EEF organized its fifth International Conference ITIE 2012 in Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China. The theme: Libraries as Community Education Centers.

2014

EEF organized its sixth International Conference ITIE 2014 in Changsha, Hunan, China. The theme: Local Culture and Oral History.

2016

EEF organized its seventh International Conference ITIE 2016 in Beijing, Shenzhen, Guangzhou, and Wuhan, China. The theme: Makerspaces: Creativity in the Library. EEF also designed and offered a Makerspace International Competition to complement the conference. Competing teams exhibited in all 4 conference locations.

Current Focus

Educational Opportunities

Evergreen Education Foundation supports STEM education and literacy in rural China through partnerships with partners such as Li Geng Sheng and Peking University. Programs include the Future City competition, STEM challenges, rural household book corners with small projects, and summer robotics workshops. Our efforts enhance learning opportunities for students and teachers while fostering innovation, problem-solving, and literacy development.

Family Story Initiative

The Evergreen Family Story Initiative aims to preserve family legacies and strengthen inter-generational bonds by connecting students and young adults in the family with their elders through recorded interviews. Personal stories, family histories, cultural traditions, and cherished memories will be captured while ensuring privacy and long-term preservation. The initiative fosters storytelling as a living, evolving legacy for future generations.

0-6 Early Childhood Project

Evergreen Education Foundation is funding parenting and play centers in Yunnan, China, aiming to enhance early learning for rural children (ages 0-6). The project funding supports providing a local parenting and play center in each village, identifying and training a local teacher, and establishing grassroots community village parents’ committees to participate in planning and conducting appropriate development programs and activities.

IMPACT BY THE NUMBERS

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Students Empowered

Over 3000 Students

Over 150 Small Projects

Over 10 Provinces in China

Professional Trainings Provided

Over 15 Training Workshops

Over 150 Small Projects

Over 1500 Delegates Sponsored

Schools Collaborated

Over 50 Schools

Over 150 Funded Projects

Over 10 Provinces in China

Partners Collaborated

Over 50 Libraries

Over 100 Academics

Over 20 Universities

Conferences Organized

7 International Conferences

10 Locations

Over 3000 Delegates

Rural Libraries Automated

56 Rural Libraries in China

1 Public Library Promoted

2 School Libraries Promoted

Publications and Presentations

17 Academic Papers

Co-Authored Teachers

Co-Authored Librarians

Scholarships Awarded

1926 Scholarships

677 Individual Students

9 Rural Provinces in China

Endorsements

HuangXinYi 黄馨怡
YangQin 杨琴
YangMingXue 杨明学
ZhangJiangJiang 张江江

HuangXinYi 黄馨怡

Student

Oral Interview Project Participant

如果忽视普通个人的经历与感受，就没人知道历史意味着什么。
所有的长辈，他们亲历的历史是活的，是最接近真实的。这样的真实与鲜活在祖辈口口相传中存在与流传，让我觉得感动。我开始希望自己能做些什么。于是询问，整理，记录。

If we overlook the stories and emotions of everyday people, the true essence of history will be lost.
The elders carry within them lived experiences that are vibrant and closest to the truth. This authenticity and richness are preserved and passed down through the oral traditions of our ancestors, which deeply inspired me. It sparked a desire within me to take action. So, I began to ask questions, gather stories, and document them.

YangQin 杨琴

Teacher

ITIE 2016 Makerspace and Creativity Conference

Participant & Competition Mentor

通过竞赛，了解创客项目的设计过程，通过这些过程，得到启
发，更好的指导学生制作创客项目。

Through the competition, I gained an understanding of the design process of maker projects. Through these processes, I was inspired to better guide students in creating their own maker projects.

YangMingXue 杨明学

Student

ITIE 2016 Makerspace and Creativity Conference

Competition Participant & Exhibitor

这次竞赛激发了我的学习兴趣，我希望参与更多的活动，学到
更多的知识。

This competition sparked my interest in learning. I hope to participate in more activities and gain more knowledge.

ZhangJiangJiang 张江江

Teacher

ITIE 2016 Makerspace & Creativity Conference

Participant & Competition Mentor

在整个过程中，给我的意外较多，学生没有接触过程序，经过学习学生们能够自己理解并动手调试部分程序，学生没有木工的技术，学生们刻意制作出超乎意料的作品，传统教育中缺少对学生的信任，缺少自己动手实践的过程。其实，我们的学生比我们想象的要强的多，孩子们的创造力是很大的。创客空间就是一个很好的激发学生创造力的平台，我们需要它，学生需要它！

Throughout the entire process, I encountered many surprises. The students had no prior experience with programming, yet after learning, they could understand and debug parts of the program independently. They also lacked woodworking skills, yet they deliberately created unexpectedly impressive works. Traditional education often lacks trust in students and does not provide enough hands-on practice. In reality, our students are much stronger than we imagine, and their creativity is immense. A makerspace is an excellent platform for stimulating students’ creativity. We need it, and the students need it!

Latest News & Articles

  • Exciting Update: Childhood Development Program in Yunnan China

    The Yunnan Tengchong Rural Community Parenting & Child Development Program, implemented by the Yunnan Representative Office of the Federation of Associations Connected to the Humana People to People Movement (Switzerland), aims to promote the physical, cognitive, and emotional development of children aged 0-4 in rural communities. By establishing Parenting & Play Centers, conducting caregiver training,…

  • Exciting Update: Early Childhood Project

    Evergreen Education Foundation funds parenting and play centers in Xinglong and Sanlian villages, Mazhan Township,  Tengchong City, Yunnan Province, China, aiming to enhance early learning for rural children (ages 0-4). The project funding supports providing a local parenting and play center in each village, identifying and training a local teacher, and establishing grassroots community village…

  • Exciting News: DiscoverE’s Future City Competition Finals Invitation!

    Evergreen Education Foundation has funded 3 high schools and provided mentorship on the Future City High School Challenge. We are thrilled to announce that one of our schools, Ningdu Technician College, has made significant strides in their Future City projects! Their hard work, creativity, and dedication have paid off, leading to an incredible opportunity: the…

  • Bridging Communities Through Literacy: SF Library + EEF

    A Meaningful Exchange on Literacy On March 28th, the Evergreen Education Foundation (EEF) welcomed Professor Zizhou Wang of the Department of Information Management at Peking University to the San Francisco Public Library. His visit, made possible by former EEF Chairman and ex-SF Public Library Commissioner Mr. John Lee, sparked a valuable discussion on education and…

  • Special Announcement: EEF Welcomes Oral History Expert Nancy MacKay to Our Advisory Board!

    We are thrilled to announce the newest addition to our Advisory Board, Ms. Nancy MacKay, MLIS. With a rich background in oral history, librarianship, and education, Nancy brings a wealth of expertise to the Evergreen Education Foundation, especially in her new role leading our Family History Project. Nancy is a California-based oral historian, author, and…