About Us

Welcome

Kate Zhou, PhD

The events of 9.11 brought into our collective consciousness the reality that many around the world maintained negative opinions of America and Americans. To Kate Zhou, political science professor at the University of Hawaii Manoa, who was born and raised during the height of Mao Zhedong's revolution, it was easy to see how ignorance could compel individuals to harbor contempt for others. Feeling troubled by the events of 9.11 Professor Zhou concluded that the only way to curb anti-Americanism was by enlightening foreigners, through cultural exchanges, about the virtues and values shared by Americans and like minded societies. As a result of this belief Professor Zhou decided to devote her time and energy to creating a non-profit organization that would promote English language education and cultural exchanges in China and other corners of the world.

In the Spring of 2002 Professor Zhou and five other American educators traveled to West Hunan to assess the region as a possible site for their new organization. Upon arrival they were surprised to discover that the majority of the people in Hunan maintained positive views of Americans and almost all wanted to travel and study in the United States. The welcoming nature of the people of Hunan, and their desire to learn more about America, compelled Professor Zhou and her colleagues to establish the non-profit organization Education Advancement Fund International (EAFI) in June of 2002.

Since its founding EAFI has initiated various programs aimed at furthering its mission of facilitating international education exchange, cultural understanding, global education reform, and gender equality in education by assisting poor, minority, and learning disabled students to overcome financial barriers to appropriate education.

Brief Organizational History:

The Education Advancement Fund International is voluntary in nature and no organizational cost is involved. With limited family and friends funding, we have done the follow work:

1. Set up a program of Teaching Civics and Western Civilization for Secondary School Teachers in Tu Jia and Miao regions in 2002 (so far 600 teachers have attended the program);
2. Set up oral English and American studies classes in 20 schools in rural Hunan for minority students, affecting 150,000 K-12 students;
3. Provided scholarships to 25 students to pay for their tuition and food;
4. Set up a lunch program so that 200 poor families can send kids to school;
5. Helped to set up an exchange between Punahou School and Baojing Minority schools; three students and three teachers came to Punahou for a short training session while Punahou will send 30 students to Baojing Minor School for two weeks of cultural study in 2004;
6. Set up two English summer camps in Jishou and Baojing in 2002 and 2003 with 1200 minority Chinese high school students and 15 American college and graduate students participating;
7. Set up an occupational school in Baojing in 2004;
8. Set up a program for Economic Institution Building to protect poor people's property rights in 2003;
9. Set up a health related education program in Baojing School system in 2004;
10. Set up three summer camps to teach civics in China in summer 2004;
11. We have sent 30 Americans to teach in poor regions in China and developed a good reputation.
    

Mission

Education Advancement Fund International (EAFI) facilitates international education exchange, cultural understanding, global education reform, and gender equity in education by assisting poor, minority, and learning disabled students to overcome financial barriers to appropriate education. The Fund provides scholarships and tuition assistance to poor, rural Chinese children.

Principles

1. To teach Rule of Law and Civics;

2. To provide youth with experiences that build character and judgment through education, recreation and mentoring;

3. To involve communities in assisting orphans and families in crisis; and helping individuals and families achieve long-term self-sufficiency.

4. To enhance the educational experience of children in poor regions by setting up a school that is open to all races.

5. To improve access to education using models proven to be effective involving parents and communities with schools in the educational process; and linking learning and community service activities for students.

6. To teach moral values that are universal.

7. To encourage female students to pursue higher education.