By Zheng Lin | Time Flies Like a Song - Our Story | December 17, 2024, 15:30
On October 26, the 50th Anniversary Celebration of the Ottawa Chinese Language School Charitable Foundation was grandly held at One Riverside. Nearly a hundred Ottawa Chinese teachers and distinguished individuals from all sectors of society gathered to celebrate this memorable day. The celebration was jointly hosted by Wang Xiang (Chairman of the Foundation), Ma Wanling (Foundation Director), and Chinese school teacher Zhang Weiming.
Guests attending the celebration included Ottawa City Councillor Wilson Lo, Principal Su Yaohua of Capital Chinese School, Principal Yao Rongping of Xinhuá Chinese School, Principal Tang Fengying of Ottawa Chinese School, Principal Zhao Min of Kanata Chinese School, Principal Sun Li of Tiantian Chinese School, President Qu Yongzhong of the Chinese Canadian Artists Society, President He Lianhua of the Chinese Canadian Artists Society, President Xiaoyan of the Ottawa Chinese Writers Association, Rogers TV Host Ding Mansu, and Carleton University Professor Wang Yanling, among other distinguished members of the community.
During the celebration, enthusiastic speeches were delivered by Ottawa City Councillor Wilson Lo, Marianne Kayed from the OCSB, Foundation Directors Kwan Lim, Mirette, and Yokie, Principal Su Yaohua of Capital Chinese School, and Principal Yao Rongping of Xinhuá Chinese School. Ding Mansu, host of the Rogers TV Chinese Channel, provided special coverage of the event.
During the celebration, enthusiastic speeches were delivered by Ottawa City Councillor Wilson Lo, Marianne Kayed from the OCSB, Foundation Directors Kwan Lim, Mirette, and Yokie, Principal Su Yaohua of Capital Chinese School, and Principal Yao Rongping of Xinhuá Chinese School. Ding Mansu, host of the Rogers TV Chinese Channel, provided special coverage of the event.
Fifty years of education have been long yet glorious, embodying the countless dedication and efforts of teachers in promoting the integration of Chinese culture and education into Canada's multicultural tapestry. Over the past five decades, the Ottawa Chinese Language School Charitable Foundation has served as a bridge and link for the integration of the Chinese community into Canadian multiculturalism. Looking back on the Foundation's 50-year journey, it has truly weathered wind and rain, enduring many ups and downs.
Once, the Foundation was the pride of Chinese education in Ottawa, and remains the only surviving charitable foundation dedicated to Chinese education to date. Due to various reasons, the Foundation faced a crisis of survival in the past few years, with the number of board members dwindling from over a dozen to just three, struggling to operate and barely holding on! The school was also taken over by the school board, and the Foundation momentarily lost its direction...
During the darkest and most difficult time, three responsible Foundation Directors—Kwan Lim, Mirette Sedarons, and Yokie Mak—stepped forward. They are second- and third-generation young Chinese Canadians; some barely speak Chinese, and none had prior experience managing a school or foundation... yet they possessed firm belief and the courage to persevere. In the most difficult moments, they resolutely held onto the expectations of the Foundation's predecessors, paying immense personal costs. To thank them for their valuable perseverance over the decades, the Foundation specially presented them with exquisite gifts sponsored by Toronto realtor Cindy Huang during the celebration.
The Foundation's survival and growth are inseparable from the strong support and sponsorship of the Chinese community, including Chairman Lu Hongmin of the Chinese Federation, Principal Su Yaohua of Capital Chinese School, and Principal Zang Junhong of Tiantian Chinese School, as well as other distinguished guests present today, who all provided great support for the Foundation's development.
Once, the Foundation was the pride of Chinese education in Ottawa, and remains the only surviving charitable foundation dedicated to Chinese education to date. Due to various reasons, the Foundation faced a crisis of survival in the past few years, with the number of board members dwindling from over a dozen to just three, struggling to operate and barely holding on! The school was also taken over by the school board, and the Foundation momentarily lost its direction...
During the darkest and most difficult time, three responsible Foundation Directors—Kwan Lim, Mirette Sedarons, and Yokie Mak—stepped forward. They are second- and third-generation young Chinese Canadians; some barely speak Chinese, and none had prior experience managing a school or foundation... yet they possessed firm belief and the courage to persevere. In the most difficult moments, they resolutely held onto the expectations of the Foundation's predecessors, paying immense personal costs. To thank them for their valuable perseverance over the decades, the Foundation specially presented them with exquisite gifts sponsored by Toronto realtor Cindy Huang during the celebration.
The Foundation's survival and growth are inseparable from the strong support and sponsorship of the Chinese community, including Chairman Lu Hongmin of the Chinese Federation, Principal Su Yaohua of Capital Chinese School, and Principal Zang Junhong of Tiantian Chinese School, as well as other distinguished guests present today, who all provided great support for the Foundation's development.
On the occasion of the Foundation's 50th anniversary, more outstanding talents from the Chinese community have enthusiastically joined the Foundation as Directors, dedicating their passion, talent, and abilities. The new board will embark on a new journey, committed to becoming a supporting organization for all Chinese schools and related educational institutions, jointly striving to promote and disseminate excellent Chinese culture and make greater contributions to enriching Canada's multiculturalism.
New Board Members: (from left) Director Wang Song, Director & Treasurer Ling Xi, Director Ma Wanling, Director Cheng Haoyang, Director Kwan Lim, Director & Secretary Mirette Sedarons, Chairman Wang Xiang. (Director Xiao Wufa was absent from the celebration for personal reasons.)
The 50th Anniversary Celebration was meticulously planned and received praise and approval from attendees. During the event, an elderly teacher, who recently arrived from China to teach at a Chinese school, was thrilled to see a charitable organization dedicated specifically to Chinese education and the practice of a Teacher Appreciation Dinner. He spontaneously made a generous donation of $300 on the spot. Another lady, who heard about the event, proactively asked if she could purchase a ticket to join the gala. These small incidents reflect the Foundation's choice to *do the right thing*, which is truly inspiring and moving.
New Board Members: (from left) Director Wang Song, Director & Treasurer Ling Xi, Director Ma Wanling, Director Cheng Haoyang, Director Kwan Lim, Director & Secretary Mirette Sedarons, Chairman Wang Xiang. (Director Xiao Wufa was absent from the celebration for personal reasons.)
The 50th Anniversary Celebration was meticulously planned and received praise and approval from attendees. During the event, an elderly teacher, who recently arrived from China to teach at a Chinese school, was thrilled to see a charitable organization dedicated specifically to Chinese education and the practice of a Teacher Appreciation Dinner. He spontaneously made a generous donation of $300 on the spot. Another lady, who heard about the event, proactively asked if she could purchase a ticket to join the gala. These small incidents reflect the Foundation's choice to *do the right thing*, which is truly inspiring and moving.
It is reported that the celebration dinner was not a fundraising gala, yet it still received over $2,000 in donations. Generous donors included Naracat Corporation ($500, from Director Mirette), Xinhuá Chinese School ($300), Shuangyou Plumbing & HVAC ($200), Kuk Hoy Tan ($100), and Directors Cheng Haoyang and Wang Xiang ($100 each). Many hands make light work! We believe that the Foundation's sustained dedication to overseas Chinese education, the promotion of Chinese culture, and the enrichment of Canadian multiculturalism will surely gain increasing support from overseas Chinese!
Culture and art are bridges of peace and friendship. We sincerely look forward to more outstanding members of the community passionate about Chinese education and culture joining the Foundation to participate in and advance this cause. Let the brilliant and ancient Chinese culture take root in Canada, prosper together with other ethnic cultures, and thrive eternally.
Culture and art are bridges of peace and friendship. We sincerely look forward to more outstanding members of the community passionate about Chinese education and culture joining the Foundation to participate in and advance this cause. Let the brilliant and ancient Chinese culture take root in Canada, prosper together with other ethnic cultures, and thrive eternally.
Appendix
Introduction to the Ottawa Chinese Language School Charitable Foundation
The Ottawa Chinese Language School Charitable Foundation (OCLS Charity / Registration No. 107805798 RR 0001) was formally registered in 1974 based on the first official Chinese school in the Ottawa area established in 1972. It is a non-profit, religiously and politically neutral "registered charity organization" (original documents above). Its mission and goal are the promotion of Chinese language education and Chinese culture.
Over the five decades since its establishment, the Foundation has made outstanding contributions to the development of Chinese schools: it has been successful in both capital management and school administration. It is the largest and longest-established Chinese charitable organization in the Ottawa area dedicated solely to Chinese education and cultural promotion. For fifty years, different members of successive boards have worked tirelessly towards the same goal, allowing the Foundation to continue to this day. It is precisely due to the dedication and efforts of these predecessors that the Foundation has produced many talents and established a vast community of students. Over the past fifty years, it has also made positive and significant contributions to the integration of Chinese culture into Canadian multiculturalism!
Today, we see more capable and dedicated members joining the Foundation. The number of Directors has reached nine, coming from various industries and fields, injecting new vitality and hope into the Foundation's development! Nevertheless, the Foundation still faces many urgent issues. Many historical problems need to be resolved quickly, outdated bylaws and systems need revision, and the financial situation urgently needs improvement... The road ahead is difficult, and the responsibility is heavy and far-reaching.
The new board has confidence and courage! The Foundation's goal and mission remain dedicated to the promotion of Chinese education and culture, while simultaneously becoming more actively involved in Canadian multiculturalism, allowing our brilliant and enduring ethnic culture to take root and flourish in Canada, growing and thriving alongside other ethnic cultures.
Over the five decades since its establishment, the Foundation has made outstanding contributions to the development of Chinese schools: it has been successful in both capital management and school administration. It is the largest and longest-established Chinese charitable organization in the Ottawa area dedicated solely to Chinese education and cultural promotion. For fifty years, different members of successive boards have worked tirelessly towards the same goal, allowing the Foundation to continue to this day. It is precisely due to the dedication and efforts of these predecessors that the Foundation has produced many talents and established a vast community of students. Over the past fifty years, it has also made positive and significant contributions to the integration of Chinese culture into Canadian multiculturalism!
Today, we see more capable and dedicated members joining the Foundation. The number of Directors has reached nine, coming from various industries and fields, injecting new vitality and hope into the Foundation's development! Nevertheless, the Foundation still faces many urgent issues. Many historical problems need to be resolved quickly, outdated bylaws and systems need revision, and the financial situation urgently needs improvement... The road ahead is difficult, and the responsibility is heavy and far-reaching.
The new board has confidence and courage! The Foundation's goal and mission remain dedicated to the promotion of Chinese education and culture, while simultaneously becoming more actively involved in Canadian multiculturalism, allowing our brilliant and enduring ethnic culture to take root and flourish in Canada, growing and thriving alongside other ethnic cultures.