The China Women's Development Foundation (CWDF), with support from DBS Bank and the DBS Foundation, has recently launched the "Everlasting Love, Shining Homes" Family Nurturing Plan, which is designed to improve household living conditions and strengthen family education for underprivileged families across China.
Over the next two years, the initiative will support 2,000 low-income families in 10 provinces by renovating their living spaces to create dedicated study and living areas for children, enhancing privacy and safety.
In addition to physical improvements, the program will offer 130 online and in-person enrichment curricula covering education, humanities, nature, science, and financial literacy, aiming to empower parents and family members with family education resources while fostering stronger parent-child relationships.
The initiative is expected to benefit about 220,000 participants.
At the launch event in Beijing last week, CWDF chairperson Du Rui said the organization is committed to improving the lives of women and families in need. "With the support of DBS Bank and the DBS Foundation, this initiative brings new energy to family development efforts, ensuring precise and effective assistance to those in need," she said.
Ginger Cheng, CEO of DBS Bank (China), underscored the program's long-term significance, stressing that family well-being plays a critical role in societal development. "By improving living spaces for underprivileged children and providing deeper emotional support for families, we are not only enhancing their quality of life but also contributing to the sustainable development of society," she said.
For many low-income families, upgrading their living environment addresses immediate material needs, but deeper challenges remain. Cheng noted that children from these backgrounds often lack access to diverse educational experiences and structured learning guidance.
"Through the holistic development enrichment curricula offered in this program — ranging from hands-on workshops to financial literacy training — we aim to provide immersive learning opportunities that broaden their horizons and boost their confidence in integrating into society," Cheng said.
The initiative seeks to support children's growth by enhancing their educational foundation, strengthening social awareness, fostering an understanding of the natural world, developing logical thinking and innovation, and introducing financial literacy concepts to encourage independence, according to the introduction.
By addressing these key areas, the program aims to equip children with the skills and confidence needed to succeed in the future.
The effectiveness of the home renovations will be tracked through before-and-after comparisons and household surveys. Educational programs will be assessed through participant engagement metrics, feedback surveys, and live attendance data. In the long term, the program will see at least 80 percent of participating children develop stronger social skills and a greater interest in learning.
"By equipping each family member with future-oriented skills, we aim to unlock their potential and drive both personal and societal progress," Cheng said.
In addition, the DBS Foundation has been committed to providing essential needs to low-income and the underprivileged groups in Asia. In recent years, the foundation is stepping up efforts to promote sustainable solutions for longevity.
"We must collaborate across sectors to develop solutions that improve living span and build a more inclusive and sustainable aging society," Cheng said.
In September 2024, the DBS Foundation launched the DBS Foundation Impact Beyond Award, aimed at supporting innovative solutions for aging. Enterprises are encouraged to leverage technology or any innovative solutions to enhance elderly healthcare and foster lifelong learning, she added.
