This month, a Richmond mother-to-be will launch a fundraising event to provide educational support for students in Malawi, a landlocked country in southeastern Africa.
At the end of the month, a pre-recorded concert will be rolled out by VISM Education Group, a local institution specializing in offering music and training to students of all ages. The show will feature hip-hop dances, group singings and the most iconic K-pop dance moves.
This event aims to raise money to improve the lives of children in Malawi, especially with their learning conditions, said mom-to-be Yichan Shu, who is also the principal of VISM Education Group.
She added that 70 percent of children in Malawi currently sit on the muddy ground during their classes.
The money raised from the show will be donated directly to UNICEF, a United Nations agency responsible for providing humanitarian aid to children worldwide.
Earlier this year, Shu came across a YouTube video showing Malawi children’s lives and their desire to learn, but many couldn’t pursue education due to poverty. Shu said she burst into tears right away.
“I saw children sitting on the dirty floor in class while still smiling. I feel so emotional every time I look into their eyes, which are so pure and filled with hope for the future,” said Shu.
“I was in the first two months of pregnancy during that time. I felt emotionally attached and connected to these children. It’s a privilege to have a roof over my head and not having to worry about the next meal. So I felt I needed to do something.”
Shu and her team spent months working with young students at her organization to create some performances.
The show will be streamed on VISM’s YouTube account on Nov. 20 at 5 pm. For more information, visit https://fundraise.unicef.ca/kind-schools-2021/vismsharelove.
