Pamela Chen

The CEIBS Alumni Shenzhen Chapter recently brought a new spirit of community and cooperation to the farming town of Huangben. On Children's Day, the chapter kicked off a social welfare program that brought the town's elementary students not only new school supplies but also a new sense of friendship and hope.

This year's Children's Day, on June 1, was a day of surprises for the Huangben Town, a rural townships in Guangdong province. On that day, the residents received piles of brand new stationary, books, clothing, toys and sports equipment, plus their very own theme song, written and performed for them. All this, thanks to 70 entrepreneurial members of the CEIBS Alumni Shenzhen Chapter.

On June 1 and 2, the CEIBS alumni and their families, plus CEIBS personnel from the Shenzhen offices, organized the first "Light of Hope" trip to Huangben. Their short-term mission was to build a library and to donate materials for teaching, studying, and healthful recreation; the long term goal was to establish solid ties for ongoing volunteer work with the town.

The Shenzhen Chapter of the CEIBS Alumni has made CSR work a strong focus in recent years. Lead by chapter head Xu Hang (EMBA2002), chairman of Shenzhen Mingray Co., the group formed a CSR project team in April. The team, consisting of and three Shenzhen-based entrepreneurs -- Li Shuhua (AMP2005), Cong Lin (EMBA 2006) and Ouyang Xu (EMBA2005) - selected the elementary schools of Huangben after researching potential CSR beneficiaries. "As entrepreneurs, we should serve as role models," says Li, "especially since public awareness of social responsibility is still relatively weak."

The project team found that the Huangben schools urgently needed teaching equipment, books and recreation and sport equipment. Within just two weeks, 70 alumni from the South China CEIBS Alumni chapters had donated RMB130,000 in cash and RMB70,000 worth of books, notepads, musical instruments, clothing, badminton racquets and other gifts.

The most memorable donation came from Guo Xiaoguang (CEMI-4), deputy general manager of Sino-Egypt Joint Commercial Chamber, who wrote a theme song for the Huangben children entitled Light of Hope. "I like writing songs," says Guo. "I hope to create a happy mood among people, and to convey our love to those in need. This is a meaningful job." The song was later performed by the Huangben students at the Children's Day celebration.

Participating alumni describe the event as a day of cooperation, of not just making donations but forging friendships. As Guo says: "We want not only bring them materials, but more importantly to instill the values of good citizenship and community." Fellow alumni Xu Hang told the Huangben students and their families: "We come here not just to convey our love, but also to learn from you, to learn how to endeavor under difficult conditions. We hope you can change your lives and create fortune with the help of knowledge."

The most impressive moment of the Light of Hope events came when the donation boxes were opened. The children rushed to see the school's new teaching and sports equipment. CEIBS alumni then presented schoolbags and stationary to each pupil, one by one. The Huangben students, in turn, presented gifts of peanuts and stones carved with good luck wishes. The celebration ended with the Huangben students and the children of CEIBS alumnus performing the Light of Hope song, singing: "Your eyes are full of wit, twinkling with hope and confidence. Let's stride together, pursuing the light of hope."

Principle of Gaobei Elementary School Principal Huang was especially touched, telling CEIBS alumni, "We rural schools have an obligation to not just provide the children with a desk, but to inspire them to seek a better future and educate them to develop their talents."