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Frequent Ask Questions
Q1. How is Peach Foundation different from other educational funds?
A1.(a) Unlike other educational foundations which seek to provide financial aid to students all over the thirty provinces of China, Peach Foundation concentrates its effort on a few locations only, i.e., a few regions in Yunnan Province.
(b) In addition to providing financial aid to students attending junior and senior high schools, Peach Foundation gives loans to college students. Other foundations only help students through senior high school.
(c) Every year Peach Foundation volunteers will visit target sites in Yunnan at their own expense.
Q2. Why does Peach Foundation target only one province or county?
A2. By focusing our effort on one location only we hope to be more effective in the utilization of manpower.While we do have volunteers, only few are able to make trips to China on a regular basis. Our success lies in our commitment to send volunteers to site visits each year. With limited resources we find it more efficient to concentrate on one target location.
Q3. Are site visits really important?
A3. Yes, very important. Through annual site visits we obtain first-hand information about students in their school life and family life. We interview financial aid recipients face to face so that there is mutual exchange of compassion. More importantly we will be able to prevent the corrupt practice of “under-the-table" deals. We inspect endorsed projects to make sure projects are completed as planned and the fund is not misused.
Q4. How would “under-the-table” deals be conducted?
A4. Teachers because of favoritism might recommend students who are not actually destitute for financial aid.
Q5. How does Peach Foundation select beneficiary students?
A5. Locally selected teachers will nominate students who meet specific standards of scholastic achievement and poverty level. Nominated students then undergo a stringent review process in the States whereby winners will be selected.
Q6. What are the selection criteria that determine the site (county/town) and individual students to receive the awards?
A6. The county receiving aid must be within the national poverty level; recipient students must have an average family income of no more than US$300 annually, and must demonstrate outstanding conduct and scholastic achievements.
Q7. What is the scope of services provided by Peach Foundation?
A7. Peach Foundation mainly provides financial aid for secondary school students and loans for college students. Additionally, we donate books to the libraries; we train teachers; we build schools; we maintain school houses; we coordinate medical teams to examine children. We cover a wide scope of services that aim at the welfare of school children and the betterment of their quality of life.
Q8. Can you elaborate on your goals in A7?
A8. When donors designate a specific program we will spend this money on the designated program and nothing else. We will only implement the program when staff resources are available. If we lack staff resources we may return the money to the donor. We encourage donors to actively participate in our programs.
Q9. How are financial aid disbursed?
A9. Once a nominated student is approved to receive financial aid, our staff stationed in China will directly mail the award to the recipient’s home address. There is no third party involved.
Q10. How does Peach Foundation pay for administration expenses such as utility and postage?
A10. There are specific donations,such as yearly membership of $20, which are designated for operational expenses. Our operational expenses are quite insignificant. None of the staff of Peach Foundation in the States is on payroll;they are all volunteers. Our volunteers also donate office space. Expenses related to site visits are all personally borne by volunteers.
Q11. How does Peach Foundation ensure that monies given by donors appropriately reach recipient students and are not misused or abused or subject to corrupt practices?
A11. We have a completely sound accounting system. Proper receipts are issued for each transaction. In our annual site visits we will ask students to verify the amount they have received. We welcome and are completely open to anyone questioning our financial report and counseling system. We implement strict checks and balances to rule out any corrupt practice.
Q12. How does Peach Foundation guarantee credibility to your donors?
A12. Our financial statements are open to public scrutiny and are available by request. Professional accountants audit our accounts each year. We are now inviting accountants who are willing to audit our books free of charge.
Q13. What are your greatest needs?
A13. Apart from monetary donations, we are in great need of volunteers. For further questions please contact us. |
