It’s not everyday that someone is so moved by a newspaper article that they feel compelled to take action. But when Yang Sai Yeung of Monterey Park, California read about the plight of Vietnamese people living in areas lacking safe drinking water in a local Chinese-language newspaper, he knew he had to do something. He immediately called his longtime friend and fellow philanthropist Ed Wong of the Rotary Club of Monterey Park and asked him for his advice on how he could help. Ed suggested that Yang work with the East Meets West Foundation to develop a Village Safe Water System.

The Rotary Club of Monterey Park already had experience working with East Meets West. In 2003, the club supported the construction of two schools in Vietnam, including playground equipment. With the help of the Monterey Park Rotary Club, Rotary District 5300, and the Rotary International Foundation Fund, East Meets West took on a multi-year project to improve conditions at the Phuoc Tra ethnic minority boarding school and the Nguyen Thi Minh Khai Elementary School in Quang Nam province. Over 800 students benefit from the two schools. Yang Sai Yeung was an individual donor who also supported this project. The partnership was a successful one, and so Ed Wong sought out the East Meets West Foundation once again to help children and families in Vietnam.

Yang’s generosity is broad and all-encompassing. He supports local Buddhist temples, youth programs, and humanitarian projects in Africa. “I have been extremely fortunate these past few years, and I want to do what I can to help those in need. When I read the article about Vietnam’s drought and the need for safe drinking water, I knew I had to do something,” says Yang.
Over 3 billion individuals worldwide lack access to safe drinking water, and every 8 seconds a child dies because of waterborne illnesses. In Vietnam, water-borne illness is the number one killer of young children.

Yang’s gift will enable East Meets West to work with local community residents to build a Village Safe Water System that will deliver safe drinking water to over 1,100 residents in the Nui Thanh District of Quang Nam Province. Over 80% of the people in this area are farmers with an average monthly income of $18 per person. Most people get their water from shallow wells with high concentrations of iron, or walk several kilometers each way to access a reliable supply of water. Many of the wells dry up during the hot summer months. Now, with Yang Sai Yeung’s generosity, 300 families in Tam My Commune will have access to safe drinking water for years to come.

The East Meets West Foundation thanks Yang Sai Yeung and the Rotary Club of Monterey Park for their support and compassion.