About Us
Yang Lan, Founder.
“Shock, numbness, frustration, anger, disappointment, exhaustion, despair, and tears, plenty of tears . . . all for my children who have special needs. Seemingly endless scrambling to plug in more supports, different supports and medical appointments.
My thoughts on replay are: When will my crawl through this dark abyss see light? Will the darkness drown me? Is it time for me to seek therapy and medication to cope? Some days were very difficult and I would start to cry. But, with the conviction that my children can and will get better, I trudged on.
A ray of light pierced through the abyss: I (finally) found a teacher who has the knowledge and method and time to help my children.
The sun shone brightly when my second son said, “Mom, Don’t Cry”.
Now, it is time for me to help other mothers in distress.”
Yang Lan
Founder’s Intent
Why I started the Foundation.
I established the Foundation because I believe it can make a significant and positive impact in the world. I want the Foundation to tackle large, important issues at a scale where it can achieve significant and measurable impacts. The Foundation’s ability to make long-term commitments towards important causes will allow it to undertake challenges not easily accessible to many other organisations. I seek lasting change and not simply temporary ‘band-aid’ solutions.
I believe that education is key to achieving the outcomes I envision. Therefore, education is a cornerstone in nearly all of the Foundation’s efforts.
How the Foundation Approaches Problem-solving.
It is of utmost importance that the Foundation is clear on the difference made in areas that it lends assistance. There are several global challenges today and I am sure that more will arise in time to come. Many of these are of a scope too complex for the Foundation to take head on. In those areas, the Foundation may not be able to make a significant impact, and so I do not want to just support good intentions.
The Foundation will take advantage of its ability to focus its efforts and flexibility to move resources from less impactful areas to those of higher impact. Also, to make important differences, the Foundation will take on suitable initiatives at a manageable scale.
What are the Foundation’s Filters for Lending Support.
The Foundation asks the following questions, which define our style of philanthropy:
1. Is it important?
We ask this question to achieve large positive programme benefit. Or, for that matter, avoid substantial negative consequences.
2. Can we make a real difference?
In other words, is it a significant and enduring impact that would not be without the Foundation’s support.
3. Is it measurable?
Quantitative measurement and objective analysis of outcomes are central to how the Foundation will continue to improve itself. Ater all, if the Foundation cannot measure the outcomes, it would not know if it has accomplished anything.