AmCham South China Member Companies Battle Poverty in Guangdong's Meizhou City's Impoverished Villages

MEIZHOU, China, Jan. 21, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- The American Chamber of Commerce in South China (AmCham South China) as part of its AmCham-Mead Johnson Charity Effort, today brought a large group of business and community leaders including executives from multinational corporations to Chang Yuan Village the third consecutive year to deliver material support to the impoverished villagers.

Under the administration of Meizhou City, Chang Yuan Village has a population of 3,125 individuals, approximately 20 percent of whom are "poverty-stricken" by official measurements. AmCham South China's collection efforts have resulted in materiel worth over RMB 3,113,097, including 13,000 pairs of high quality shoes, clothing, bedding, hygiene products, educational materials, toys and food from members.

AmCham South China's mission to the village was augmented by a team of medical professionals from the Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, who offered free on-site medical checkups and consultations to the villagers. Also, to achieve sustainable development, potential investors and experts were invited to join the delegation for investment inspection during the visit to the village. GLIESE Film Company Ltd. provided technical support on filming the trip.

As part of its overall charity activities this year, AmCham South China also coordinated the donation of more than RMB 450,000 in cash to the Guangzhou Youth Development Foundation which was donated by chamber's members Mead Johnson Nutrition and Canton Tower Color China Restaurant Co., Ltd. These funds will be used to save lives of orphaned children in need of immediate life saving surgery, and help raise Chang Yuan Village above the poverty line. Substantial progress in the village has been made, including a newly-built soccer field and a community center funded by AmCham members' cash donations.

Guangzhou People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries of Guangzhou Foreign Affairs Bureau, Guangzhou Charity Association of Guangzhou Civil Affairs Bureau, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, and Guangzhou Youth Development Foundation were partners of American Chamber of Commerce South China in the AmCham-Mead Johnson Charity Effort this year.

This is the sixth consecutive year that AmCham South China has collected donations on behalf of impoverished villages in the relatively affluent Guangdong Province.

About The American Chamber of Commerce in South China
The American Chamber of Commerce in South China (AmCham South China) is a non-partisan, non-profit organization dedicated to facilitating bilateral trade between the United States and the People's Republic of China. Certified in 1995 by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in Washington D.C., AmCham South China represents more than 2,300 corporate and individual members, is governed by a fully-independent Board of Governors elected from its membership, and provides dynamic, on-the-ground support for American and International companies doing business in South China. In 2015, AmCham South China hosted nearly 10,000 business executives and government leaders from around the world at its briefings, seminars, committee meetings and social gatherings. The American Chamber of Commerce in South China is a fully-independent organization accredited by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in Washington, D.C. All AmChams in China are independently governed and represent member companies in their respective regions.

The mission of the American Chamber of Commerce in South China is to promote the development of trade, commerce and investment between the United States and the People's Republic of China with a special focus on South China; to provide a forum in which member businesses can identify their common interests and discuss solutions for common problems; to work with and advocate member interests with relevant organizations in South China, elsewhere in China and the United States, and to set the standards for corporate social responsibility for the community that the Chamber serves.

About Mead Johnson Nutrition China Ltd
Mead Johnson Nutrition China was founded in 1993. Our manufacturing facility is located at Dong Ji Xia Yuan Road of Guangzhou Economic and Technological Development Zone. It covers an area of 60,000 square meters and boasts some of the world's most advanced production processes and technology. Currently, the company's sales network is established in 29 provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities nationwide.

Mead Johnson strives to advance its leadership role as part of the healthy growth of the entire pediatric nutrition industry. The company has operated strictly under its first-to-market "All-Rounded Safety" quality management model and GMP standards across its manufacturing, supply chains, storage and distribution networks. Having been awarded ISO9001:2000 certification, Mead Johnson China adheres to HACCP principles, meets national food safety and hygiene standards, and complies with all World Health Organization and U.S. Food and Drug Administration regulations for infant formula.

With deep roots in China extending back 21 years, Mead Johnson is committed to delivering professional care and support to Chinese consumers in need by providing high quality nutritional products for pregnant women, infants and children and sharing advanced knowledge through various customer activities to enhance the awareness of the importance of early childhood nutrition by young Chinese parents.

About Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center
Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center (GWCMC) was established with the integration of the former Guangzhou Children's Hospital and former Guangzhou Maternity Health Care Center. Covering an area of 37 thousand square meters and a built-up area of 130 thousand square meters, the hospital is equipped with 1400 beds. Among the 2603 staff, 282 is holding senior titles, 573 has received master level education or above and 47 of them are MD or MS mentors. In December 2012, GWCMC became the first public hospital in southern China to earn JCI accreditation. 

Year 2013 witnessed 3.69 million outpatient visits, 73,200 discharges and 44,300 surgical operations. The hospital has evolved to be a high-level, comprehensive and multi-disciplinary health care institution, integrating the function of medical and healthcare, prevention, research and education.

"Caring for women and children with benevolence and expertise" remains at the core of the hospital's mission. Our culture stems from the motto of "Integrity, Professionalism, Endeavor and Diligence", and core value of "Love, harmony, prudence and practical".

About the Guangzhou Charity Association-Guangzhou Civil Affairs Bureau
Founded in 1994, Guangzhou Charity Association is a registered citywide charitable society group approved by the municipal government. It is also a member of China Charity Federation.

The aim of the association is to promote the spirit of humanitarian, to contribute to poverty alleviation, to help people with less fortune and people in need, which indicates the progress and development of the society.

The mission of the organization is to host various charity events, to receive donations from at home and abroad, to assist the government to promote philanthropy, to establish different charity service institutions, and to host charity exchange events at home and abroad.

Since establishment, the award-winning organization contributed a lot to charity promotion, fund raising, emergency rescue, poverty alleviation, medical assistance as well as educational assistance which all yield great results. Till the end of 2013, the fund collected has reached 2.39 billion yuan, and the donated fund by the association has added up to 2.12 billion yuan.

About the Guangzhou People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (GZPAFFC)
The GZPAFFC is a division of the Guangzhou Foreign Affairs Office, which is overseen by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Association's primary duties include the implementation of national foreign affairs-related guidelines and policies, liaising with international non-governmental and economic organizations on behalf of the municipal government, the reception of visiting personnel and delegations from the same, the organization of outbound goodwill delegations, and "[the execution of] other tasks as instructed by the CPC Guangzhou Committee and Guangzhou Municipal Government.". More information about the Association can be found on the Guangzhou Foreign Affairs Office website (www.gzwaishi.gov.cn/Item/3993.aspx).

About Changyuan Village
Located in the west of Zhuanshui Town of Wuhua, a famous hometown of Chinese expatriates, Changyuan Village boasts 124.5 hectares of arable land, 68.9 hectares of which are paddy fields. Covering a mountain area of 134 hectares, Changyuan Village is home to 620 households, with the total population reaching up to 3,125. The villagers earn their livelihoods basically by growing rice locally and laboring as migrant workers outside the village. A preliminary household survey shows that 119 households of the village (627 people) currently live below the poverty line, accounting for 19.2% and 20.1% respectively of the total household number and the total village population. These 627 poverty-stricken villagers are thus designated as the focus of assistance in this new round of poverty-alleviating effort. The village is home to one primary school, namely, Changyuan Primary School, with 310 students and 16 teachers.

About Guangzhou Youth Development Foundation
Guangzhou Youth Development Foundation (Hereinafter referred to as GYDF) was founded in May 4th, 1994. This public foundation was co-founded by Guangzhou Committee of China's Communist Youth League, Guangzhou Youth Federation and Guangzhou Working Committee of Young Pioneers. GYDF aims to rally fund and materials support for development of teenagers' career by connecting with enterprise & public institutions, social organizations, other organizations and individuals home and abroad; to carry on helping orphans and the poor in their study; to develop First Aid service; to subsidize all districts and institutions to hold various activities which benefit for teenagers' physical and psychological health; to support and promote studies of teenagers' problems; to award excellent teenagers and social organizations and individuals who make contribution to teenagers' career.   

Since its establishment, GYDF has taken an active participation in social welfare with support from different sectors of society. It promotes "Help the Disadvantaged", devotes to building a harmonious society, dedicates in helping poor students to learn. When the whole nation was faced with natural disasters, GYDF united and led municipal youth to devote in earthquake relief. This manifests noble spirits of Guangzhou great love. Meanwhile, it has received guidance and assistance from central, provincial and municipal authorities.

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SOURCE AmCham South China