In 2004, the Ming Hsien Foundation started and financially supported an orphanage in Wu Jiao village (later moved to Long Kang village) of Sichuan Province, which was registered as “The Ark Orphanage in Jiuzhaigou” (“the Ark Orphanage”).  Under the management of Ming Hsien Alumni Association in Sichuan, the Ark Orphanage has fully and successfully established as the first and only organization that focused on aiding the orphans of Zang (Tibetan) minority culture.  There are a total of 44 orphans, among them 16 are disabled.  There are 7 nurses taking care of the daily life of the children.  The Ark Orphanage has earned a very good reputation in the community and has been asked to accept more orphans from the vicinal counties.  Since the buildings in which the orphans are residing in Wu Jiao were old and deteriorated and were in danger during the earthquakes frequently occurring in Wu Jiao, the Ark Orphanage was moved to another county in 2007, one year before the big earthquake disaster occurred in the same area.  After the earthquake, the Ark Orphanage accepted another 7 orphans from the disaster.  The Ark Orphanage continues to accept orphans.

There are several needs for the Ark Orphanage:

1. Since the old buildings in which the orphans were residing were old and deteriorated and were in danger, the Ark Orphanage bought a building in another county and moved to the new location in February 2007.  The new building costs 3.1 million RMB of which 900 thousand were paid.  There is 2.2  million in debt, which is about $320,000 (U.S. dollars).
2. Expenses for running the Ark Orphanage, including the daily life of the orphans, wages and medical expenses, are 21,000 RMB, which is about $3,100 per month.
3. As winter approaches, the new building needs to be provided with insulation for both the walls and the roof.  The cost is 220,000 RMB, which is about $32,000.

For the above causes, the Ming Hsien Foundation solicits the generous contributions from the alumni and friends.  Also, please spread the words.  Donations are tax deductible in the U.S., since the Ming Hsien Foundation is a registered non-profit organization in the U.S. (IRS EIN 31-1709961).