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Building Hope School at 4,000 Meters above the Sea Level and arguably the World’s Highest Computer Lab and Library
A delegation from Marriott International and the Yao Foundation recently traveled to southwest China to visit and celebrate the renovations underway at The Sela Marriott – Yao Foundation Hope Primary School. The school is located at 4,000 meters above the sea level in Sela village within Daocheng, the Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of Sichuan Province. This is the second of the seven school projects supported by Marriott International and the Yao Foundation. Marriott International’s cash and in-kind contributions toward the reconstruction will help support a better study environment for the school’s 180 students.
The 37-person delegation included senior executives and associates of Marriott International, representatives of the China Youth Development Foundation and the Yao Foundation as well as key media. The infrastructure of the school has been challenged by resource scarcity, its remote location and the physical environment.
During the visit, the delegation built a computer lab with Internet connectivity and a library for the school. Marriott International associates and the public in China also gathered and donated 3,000 books to supply the school’s library. In view of the altitude of the school, this computer lab as well as the library will possibly be the highest ones in the world. Construction of a new teaching building and playground is scheduled to begin during the next phase of renovations in 2016.
“Our collaboration with the Yao Foundation resonates with the core values of Marriott International that have sustained our company for more than eight decades – We open doors to a world of opportunity. Together with the Yao Foundation, we strive to keep on creating opportunities for the children in rural China. We are delighted to see that our works grow from strength to strength and now bear fruit in Sela, bringing real benefits to the school students there, ” said Simon Cooper, President and Managing Director of Marriott International Asia Pacific.
Mr. Cooper added that when Marriott International called for volunteers amongst its associates in China to support this visit and donate books for building the library, the response was tremendous. This reflects that the company’s “Spirit to Serve” culture is widely supported by its associates.
During the virtual video conversation with students Yao Ming said: “I am most happy to see and chat with you. I hope you all will enjoy using this computer lab and the small library. I also look forward to seeing the completion of the new teaching building for your school, and wish you all healthy and happy growth.”
Marriott International and the Yao Foundation have been working together since 2013 to support rural education in China. Through fund-raising activities with its business partners and clients, Marriott is donating a total of RMB 13 million (approximately USD2,000,000) by 2018 to the Yao Foundation to establish seven hope schools, provide supporting resources and organize five Yao Foundation Hope Primary School Basketball Seasons.
About Yao Foundation
Yao Foundation is a specialized fund established by Yao Ming under the auspices of The China Youth Development Foundation. It aims at promoting the all-around development of Chinese youth by providing them the opportunities to improve their education, sports skills, health and self-esteem. Since Yao Foundation was established, more than 10,000 Chinese rural youth have benefited from studying in the 18 Hope Primary Schools and one special education school it has funded. Besides constructing the school buildings, the Yao Foundation also improves the educational experience of Chinese youth by partnering with leading Chinese and multinational companies to build libraries, computer rooms, kitchens, and sports and exercise areas in local schools. In 2012, the Yao Foundation initiated the “Yao Foundation Hope Primary School Basketball Season” program. In 2012, 2013 and 2014, the program has 151,500 attendances of Chinese youth. Besides teaching basketball skills, it will help them build self-confidence and learn sportsmanship which will be crucial for their development in the future. For more information about Yao Foundation, visit www.yaofoundation.cn.