ANNUAL REPORT 2016 TRANSPARENT FISH FUND
ALLEVIATING POVERTY IN EAST ASIA DEVELOPING TRANSPARENCY IN NONPROFITS
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CO N TEN TS ANNUAL REPORT ONLINE REPORT.TFISHFUND.ORG
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Message from the President
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Poverty Alleviation in Asia
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Our Impact
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Clean Water in Cambodia
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Newborn Warmer Prototype
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Safe Spaces for Kids in Burma
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Heart Surgery in China
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Maternal Health in Nepal
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Orphans in Myanmar
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Left-Behind Children in Gansu
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Thailand and Cambodia Orphans
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Brick Houses and EdTech
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Project Updates
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In the Community
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Testimonials, Our Supporters
Orphans in Myanmar, p. 13
Front Cover Photo: Cow Microloans in Vietnam, p. 18
M ESSA GE
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PRESIDEN T INVESTING INTO SOCIAL ENTERPRISE, EXPANDING INTO NEW COUNTRIES We are always exploring new and effective ways to increase our impact in East Asia. This year, we focused on learning more about social enterprise. With the addition of three new board members, we increased our capacity to evaluate social enterprise opportunities. We even improved our screening process with clearer criteria to evaluate new applicants and decide our ideal partners. As a result, we were able to invest in outstanding social enterprise initiatives that are meeting crucial needs in the poorest parts of East Asia.
strong presence in China and Vietnam, we are also now helping the under-served in Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, Nepal, and Haiti. We have a total of 40 active projects, 9 staff, and 15 field auditors in 9 countries. As we continue to support more programs, we encourage and challenge our supporters to help us meet these urgent needs. We want more and more people to catch our spirit of philanthropy. Thank you for your ongoing support and friendship.
These partnerships also expand our reach into five more countries. While we have already built a
NANCY NGUYEN PRESIDENT
BOA RD & A DV ISO RS DR. HAU LEE, ADVISOR PING & AMY CHAO, ADVISORS DANIEL NGUYEN, SECRETARY PAUL CHAN, BOARD MEMBER GARY WONG, TREASURER DOUG TSUI, BOARD MEMBER DR. JOHN MAR, BOARD MEMBER 3
POV ERTY A LLEV IATIO N
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EA ST A SIA W hat W e Do Transparent Fish Fund is a 501(c)(3) US nonprofit organization founded in 2011 in Palo Alto, CA. We partner with hand-selected NGOs that effectively focus on poverty alleviation in East Asia. With support from our board members, who cover all our administrative costs, we are able to provide these NGOs with funding, capacity building resources, and reporting requirements to increase transparency and sustainability. We connect donors in the West with these credible NGOs to spread a global spirit of philanthropy. W e handpick t r ust w or t hy & t r anspar ent pr oject s t o t r ack .
2016 M ilest ones Invested Focus on Social Enterprise
Expanded in Myanmar, Thailand, and Cambodia
Hosted First TFish 5K Walkathon, a Public Event
Volunteers Gave Back at LRS Summer Camp
New Partnerships with Eight Organizations
Added Three New Strategic Board Members
4 To see full list of Milestones since 2011, please visit www.tfishfund.org/milestones.
How W e W ork
100% of your donat ion ar r ives in t he r ight hands.
W here W e W ork
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O UR
IM PA CT
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CLEAN W ATER IN CAM BODIA
According to a recent estimate shared by UNICEF, 40% of the primary schools in Cambodia still don?t have access to safe water and sanitation facilities. Diarrhea, generally caused by the consumption of contaminated water, is the second leading cause of death for children under five in Cambodia. Our new partnership with 1001Fontaines will provide clean drinking water for 24,375 children at 74 primary schools in Cambodia during the 2016-2017 academic year. Providing safe drinking water at school will significantly reduce waterborne diseases and child mortality. Other benefits include combating dehydration, improving cognition and energy levels, and directly impacting the children?s wellbeing and learning experience. We are excited to provide students with a more favorable environment in which to thrive and unlock their full potential. 7
M ILESTO N ES
N EW BORN W ARM ER PROTOTYPE In 2015, 2.7 million infants in developing countries died within a month of birth due to complications of prematurity, low birth weight, and infection. Preterm birth is the number one cause of newborn death. We could prevent more than three-quarters of these deaths by providing at-risk newborns with simple interventions, such as a warm and clean environment in which to grow stronger. Conventional newborn incubators are complex and expensive. A team of designers, engineers, physicians, and medical device manufacturers is developing the Otter, a durable warming bassinet for premature and low birth weight newborns. Our new partnership with Design 8
that Matters will help develop this innovative newborn conductive warmer. Designed for use in rural areas, this infant warmer will reduce unnecessary newborn mortality due to complications from prematurity, hypothermia, and low birth weight in low resource settings. We are supporting Stages 2 and 3 of the development, testing, and marketability of a refined prototype in Vietnam, so more newborns can be saved.
SAFE SPACES FOR K IDS IN BURM A THESE SOCIAL ENTERPRISE INITIATIVES ARE CHANGING LIVES IN EAST ASIA.
Starting June 2011 and especially over the past four years, the most intense fighting between the Burmese central government and the Kachin Independence Army has occurred. The ongoing open conflict has forced almost 100,000 Kachin people to flee from their homes. Many civilians have taken shelter inside poorly supplied internally displaced peoples (IDP) camps. IDP camps continue to grow, and those seeking refuge are increasingly bleak about the prospect of returning home to rebuild their lives.
We are partnering with Children on the Edge (COTE), a UK-based organization. COTE will provide safe spaces for 554 young children displaced by conflict inside Kachin State, Myanmar. COTE is providing 12 Early Childhood Development Centers in 7 remote IDP camps. These will be safe, nurturing places where Kachin children ages 3-6 who live in a conflict environment can learn, play, and receive crucial early childhood care. The centers will provide a sense of security through the consistent, trusted presence of trained teachers. These caring adults will help develop the children's self-worth. Providing stability for these children who have experienced trauma will promote their recovery and healthy development.
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LITTLE RED SCARF
Since 2008 we have helped 1,164 children and mothers in rural China receive congenital heart disease surgery. After successful treatment, they have the stamina and self-confidence to climb mountains like this. 10
"The love from Little Red Scarf is just like the love parents shower their children with? never ceasing and never failing, accompanying every child in their care." L ina
GOVERNMENT WITHDRAWS FUNDING, LRS STEPS UP
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A new 2016 policy removed all government funding for basic congenital heart surgery in Gansu. In 2015, our average was to sponsor 2-4 children a month because the government covered simple cases. This year we surged back to about 14 children a month, similar to 2008-2014, our busiest years when there was limited government support.
LRS SUMMER CAMP AND VOLUNTEERS
RURAL FAMILY SPONSORSHIP We remain committed to our follow-up care. After surgery, the families who struggle the most to meet their basic needs become part of our Adopt a Family program to receive poverty alleviation aid specifically for medical treatment, educational scholarships, microloans, and other urgent needs. After two years, we have matched donors to sponsor 75 different families,
Each summer we host a camp in Gansu for our post-surgery children. We get to see them grow up over the years, and they get to have fun while building self-esteem and learning important life lessons. Highlight activities for our 30 campers this year included hiking a mountain (which proved their successful recovery from CHD), free hospital checkups, arts and crafts, games and skits, and team building exercises. This year we also invited several former campers to return as volunteers, such as Lina and Xiao Wen. We also welcomed Cindy's family from Canada as volunteers. They have all caught our spirit of philanthropy, giving back to others! 11
M ATERNAL HEALTH IN NEPAL Skilled Birth Attendant Training in Remote Areas Our partnership with One Heart World-Wide is helping train local birth attendants so they can reduce preventable deaths due to pregnancy and childbirth. With our support from 2013-2014, SBAs trained in the district of Dolpa have already delivered 3,448 babies. In 2015-2016 we supported training in the hill district of Bhojpur.
"SBA training has improved the way we care for mothers and newborns. It has given me skills and courage to save lives at birth." Ms. Bishnu Gurung, SBA
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ORPHANS IN M YANM AR Christian Home for Abandoned Children Adonai Child Rehabilitation is a faith-based ministry in Kalaymyo that was established in May 2016 by Rev. Thang and his wife. Their goal is for each child to grow in their relationship with God and to get a good education so they can
serve Him wherever they are. Our partnership is providing nutritious food for their 11 orphans this year, as well as some other basic necessities like school supplies, clothing, and bedding.
"Children are a seed for the future, tomorrow's leaders." Reverend Thang
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Underprivileged Mothers in Hong Kong In partnership with Changing Young Lives, we are promoting family cohesiveness for 212 underprivileged mothers and children in Pak Tin Estate through the Smart Mom program. Activities such as self-enhancement classes, parent education workshops, parent-child activities, and playgroups help the mothers strengthen their skills and improve parent-child communication.
Left-Behind Children in Gansu We are partnering with Changing Young Lives to also implement a social worker pilot project in Dashu, Gansu. The locals are of the Dongxiang ethnic minority and have their own language. In one of the villages, 93% of the children have been left behind. This project aims to support the psychosocial wellbeing of 90 students at 2 schools through counseling services and other tailored extracurricular activities for a year, helping the students improve self-confidence and increasing their motivation to learn.
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At-Risk Children in Thailand This year we started a partnership with ZOE International, a Christian organization that strives to reach every person with the love of God and rescue every child from human trafficking. Through their comprehensive prevention, intervention, and restoration programs, they give children better opportunities for the future. Our support is enabling them to provide preventative healthcare for the 75 children in their long-term care.
Children's Home in Cambodia Thousands of children throughout Cambodia are orphaned and abandoned due to residual effects of the Khmer Rouge regime and civil war. With our new partner SEAPC, we are helping build the Kampong Cham Children's Home, which will house 39 orphans, ages 4-18. By being provided with daily care and safe homes with Christian houseparents, these children have new hope and opportunities in life.
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New Brick Homes and Bridge in Viet nam
This year our partner came up with a model for building houses that are made of brick. These sturdier houses will last longer, serving the families for 40 years, and will also keep them cooler in the hot weather. We have helped 20 poor families in Vietnam get new brick houses.
We also built our 4th bridge to help villagers cross the river safely. It is 20 meters long and in Kien Giang. 16
Comput er Training Program Expands t o China
In partnership with Orphan Impact, we have helped 635 orphans in Vietnam receive computer education. This year we expanded the program to a new country. The pilot program in China started in Zhejiang in partnership with Stepping Stones. Our support has
enabled 145 migrant students ages 12-15 to receive new computer equipment and lessons from trained teachers on how to use technology. We have empowered 780 orphans and migrant students in 2 countries with foundational skills to make a livelihood. 17
PRO JECT
UPDATES Allianz Mission Cow Microloans in Vietnam We have helped 40 poor families in Tran Tri and Tan Yen villages generate income by raising cows, which improves their living conditions, education, and quality of life.
Helping Orphans Worldwide Perpetual Giving Program in Vietnam We provided 25 families with pigs, chickens, ducks, and cows. The livestock income enabled the families to have better nutrition, education, and medical care. The offspring are used to "pay it forward" to others.
Tribal Poverty Relief Water Wells in Vietnam We have helped the community in the mountainous region of Thanh Hoa province get local clean water by building 2 water wells. The 4,000 villagers include the ethnic minority groups Muong and White Thai. 18
Burma Backpack Medics Two Kachin Teams Trained Our support enabled the medics to treat a population of 2,442 for various diseases and injuries, including malaria, pneumonia, meningitis, snake bites, and wounds from gunshots and land mines in the conflict zone.
World Toilet Organization Floating Toilets in Cambodia We have enabled 2 elementary schools to have the HandyPod floating toilet systems installed, which improves sanitation and hygiene conditions for the students.
Taiwan Prison Ministry Over 100 Inmates Converted This year the ministry increased their scope of outreach by adding a new coworker to the team and stepping up their discipleship program with activities such as Bible study and memorization contests.
Taiwan Labor Concern Serving Exploited Migrant Workers Our support provided practical care to 10 of the neediest migrant workers at the shelter. This included nutritious meals, clothing, sandals, transportation assistance, phone cards, and spiritual activities. 19
dloHaiti Clean Water in Haiti Schools Our new partnership with dloHaiti will enable 15,000 primary and secondary school students to get clean drinking water at 100 schools in under-served areas.
HIS Foundation Summer Camp and Wheelchairs Over the past 2 years, in Henan and Xinjiang provinces in China, we supported 2 summer camps for 75 high school students, and the donation and distribution of 1,100 wheelchairs.
Yunnan Leprosy Shower Room and Reservoir A generous TFish donor sponsored the construction of a solar-powered shower room and a water reservoir for the 30 lepers in Shuigou village. We have also provided 110 lepers with basic necessities.
China California Heart Watch Rural Doctor Training and Surgeries Newborn screening training has been completed in 82% of Yunnan's counties, resulting in 44,614 newborns being screened and 21 children receiving CHD surgery in Yunnan province.
O'Keefe Family Center Tutoring in East Palo Alto During the school year 11 students received tutoring, Bible discipleship, and mentoring. In the summer they enjoyed fun, enriching activities and exploration of career aspirations. 20
WALK
IN TH E
CO M M UN ITY TFish 5K Walkathon
Dedicated Volunteers
Thank you to everyone who participated in our first Walkathon event! We raised over $9,400 to support 11 different poverty alleviation projects.
Many thanks to our faithful volunteers who give their time and talents to help others. All that we do is a community effort! Paul and Cindy Chan Doug Tsui and Vanessa Lam John and Anna Mar Gary and Amber Wong The Kam Family Kai Chao Yang Bo John Kieu Cindy and Shawn Chung Teddy Shih Bao and Thuy Nguyen Daniel Nguyen Emma Cockerell
Committed Staff Carolyn Der June Wang Guanying Aiju
Yunyun Jie Wang Li Yanyan Zhang Sharmila Ranka
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TESTIM ONIALS ?"After the Little Red Scarf camp, I became brighter and more confident, learning to be strong and brave during difficulties. I learned to be thankful and give back to others. In this big family, I understood how to love." Jiang Nan, LRS Beneficiary
?"The trip to Gansu was such a rewarding and unforgettable experience! It was truly amazing to see these children face-to-face, and now they have a place in my heart." Cindy Chung, TFish Volunteer
"I have been with Transparent Fish Fund for a while now and trust their transparent financial operation. Most foundations deduct administrative costs from donations, but TFish does not. This is what I like the most." Pastor Thu Nguyen, TFish NGO Partner, Taiwan Prison Ministry
"We wanted to donate to Transparent Fish Fund because we knew that 100% of our donations would go to projects. We liked how they list out specific projects, beneficiaries, and amounts needed. We knew exactly where our money was going." Anonymous PSD, TFish Donor, Gold Sponsor 22
OUR SUPPORTERS Platinum Sponsor ($50,000+) Ping & Amy Chao Family Foundation Gold Sponsor ($15,000-$49,999) Henry and Lisa Chang Anonymous PC Huang Family Grandma Chu's Love Fund Isabel Chiu (En-Yong Foundation) Jonathan and Tammy Liu Anonymous PSD Vanessa Lam and Douglas Tsui Hau and Lyn Lee Silver Sponsor ($10,000-$14,999) Edmund and Kitty Cheng Anova Solutions Inc Joe and Chin Hsu Ray and Stella Chan Bronze Sponsor ($5,000-$9,999) Dean and Shwu-Hui Chang Sun-Sea and Tai-Yen Pao Hua-Ju and Laung-Terng Wang Wei-Jin and Faustina Dai Kam Family Dominic and Elaine Kung Anonymous JAM Anonymous JTL Anonymous DC
Chang-Keng and May S Liu Anonymous JC Thomas and Cynthia Yin Jack and Ying Ying Wang FM Global Foundation Kris Wang Tinh Phan Sara Gu Anonymous JCC Anonymous CT Lyon and Anne Lin Fred Lam Samuel and Margaret So Harrison and Heidi Higaki Blue Sponsor ($500-$999) Jenny Chao Leslie Van Mai Anh Le and Liem Nguyen May and Kai Chao Ellen Yuan Wenzhi Zhang James Chen B Ng Wenzhi Zhang Jean and Amandine Cotton Yu Mei Han Szeto Anne Lin Gloria Yu Genda and Wen-Ming Hu Daniel and Nancy Nguyen Gary and Amber Wong
From hospital to village, w e' re helping full list of donors at post-surgeryView families www.tfishfund.org/donations. w2016, ith wepoverty alleviation. As of November 14, have raised $96,208 of our $150,000 goal.
Green Sponsor ($1,000-$4,999) Eric Cho Anonymous QL Jacob Chui and Monica Yan
To read full length year-end project reports and financial report, please visit our Annual Report 2016 online at report .t fishfund.org.
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Transparent Fish Fund, Inc. 445 S San Ant onio Rd St e 204 Los Alt os, CA 94022-3638 REPORT.TFISHFUND.ORG