Support Girls' Education in Rural China

Dear Friends,

We hope this letter finds you and your family well and enjoying the summer.

We would like to share an important update with you. In late March 2026, SOAR completed a leadership transition. After many years of dedicated service, longtime Board Chair Davy Kao stepped down for health reasons. SOAR founder Siu-Fong Huang returned to serve as Chair of the Board, while Dr. Amy Tang succeeded Lisa Guo as President.

With the support of our new leadership team, SOAR will continue its longstanding mission of helping students in need pursue their education and build brighter futures.

We are also pleased to announce that SOAR’s 31st Annual Gala will be held on November 8, 2026. Please stay tuned for additional information on our newly redesigned official website, www.soaronline.org. We look forward to seeing you at the Gala!

In this project report, we are honored to share remarks from SOAR’s founding president and newly appointed Board Chair, Siu-Fong Huang. In her words, she reflects on SOAR’s growth over the past 30 years, the values that have guided the organization, and the responsibility of carrying its mission forward to a new generation.

 

From Sands to Towers, Thirty Years of Striving: SOAR’s Evolution and Path of Heritage 

Siu-Fong Huang

Thirty years ago, the SOAR Foundation was established in San Francisco with a simple mission: to transform the generosity of Chinese communities around the world into educational opportunities for students in rural China. Over the past three decades, we have witnessed countless young people change the course of their lives through education, completing their studies and pursuing brighter futures. Yet as times change and new educational needs emerge, SOAR must continue to grow. Today, I am pleased to share that SOAR is evolving into a more diverse and dynamic nonprofit organization. 

 

While remaining committed to our long-standing scholarship program, we have officially launched our Preschool Education Initiative. Through years of work in rural communities, our Early Childhood Teacher Training Program has developed into a proven and sustainable model. This effort not only benefits young children through quality early education, but also helps build a lasting foundation of rained teachers in local communities. Encouraged by these results, we are preparing to expand the program to additional provinces in the coming years. Like building a tower grain by grain, we believe the seeds planted today will create lasting impact for generations to come. 

SOAR’s ability to grow and innovate is made possible by our outstanding team of volunteers and emerging leaders. Year after year, they travel deep into remote areas in China, meeting with educators, visiting schools, and identifying where support is needed most. Their dedication ensures that every initiative is thoughtfully planned, carefully implemented, and translated into meaningful opportunities for students. I also extend my deepest gratitude to our volunteers who work tirelessly behind the scenes and to every donor whose trust and support make our mission possible. Most importantly, I thank the students who persevere through adversity and continue striving toward their dreams. Your success remains SOAR’s greatest reward. 

Looking ahead, SOAR is exploring new initiatives, including improving science laboratory facilities in rural schools and providing targeted support for children facing extraordinary hardships, including those living without effective parental care. To bring these efforts to life, we welcome volunteers from diverse professional backgrounds to join our growing community. I encourage all friends of SOAR to help spread the word and invite others to support our mission of expanding educational opportunities in rural communities. 

---End of Siu-Fong Huang's remarks---

 

As SOAR enters this new chapter, our mission remains rooted in the same belief that inspired our founding 30 years ago: education can change the course of a young person’s life. With renewed leadership and expanding programs, we are committed not only to continuing our scholarship work, but also to reaching children earlier, strengthening rural schools, and responding to the needs of students facing the greatest hardships.

None of this progress would be possible without friends like you. Your past support has helped thousands of students stay in school, pursue their dreams, and build brighter futures. We hope you will continue to stand with SOAR during this important period of growth. Let's join hands to provide more scholarships, train more rural preschool teachers, and bring meaningful educational opportunities to more children and communities in need.

Thank you for your trust, generosity, and continued partnership. Together, grain by grain, we can build a stronger foundation for the next generation.

 

Warm Regards and Cheers,

Shang Su

Fundrasing Project Leader & Previous SOAR Awardee

SOAR Foundation