Sunshine Academy is a Chinese NGO based in Bao’an, Shenzhen. It was established in 2007 to provide opportunities for orphaned children living in government-run Social Welfare Centers. The Academy’s mission is to help educate, socialize and nurture vulnerable children living within these Centers, to ensure they go on to have fulfilled and productive lives.
Sunshine Academy programs include schooling, home-based activities, and outdoors adventures. Caregivers also run a Sunset Hours program where they provide an evening routine within a safe home environment, complete with snacks, bathing and bedtime. Additionally, Sunshine Academy runs a Vocational Education School for older students, and has recently employed a Special Education and autism expert to work with special needs children.
The aim is for Sunshine children to go on to public school, and ultimately be connected with a “forever family”.
Since 2008 Sunshine Academy has been hosting a Benefit Fair to raise funds. They encourage local companies and families to participate and donate, and channel income made from the sale of food, drink and activities into their various programs.
All administrative costs associated with the Benefit Fair are underwritten by Sunshine Academy’s founders, Emily and Brad Bauer. This ensures that 100% of donations are channeled directly into the charity programs. Over the years, funds raised through the event have allowed Sunshine to grow and grow. Having started out with just three employees working in two Centers, the Sunshine team now consists of eight staff members working across 12 Centers.
Since 2014, GPA Global has been involved with this amazing cause, supporting them with considerable financial donations, but the GPA team rolls up their sleeves and participates in so many activities directly related to this cause.
This year the Benefit Fair will be held on November 2nd from 10am to 3pm at the
Buena Vista Concordia International School (BCIS) in Bao’an, Shenzhen. Fixtures include an international food court, bazaar, kids’ carnival, talent show, lucky draw and silent auction, making it the ideal place for a fun family outing.
Having attended this fantastic event several years in a row, and seen the excellent work that Sunshine Academy does, our team would like to encourage other individuals, families and companies to get involved too.
