Half the Sky Foundation (HTS) and Credit Suisse are pleased to announce that Credit Suisse is continuing its sponsorship as the national sponsor of the Little Sisters Preschool Program for orphaned children, ages two to seven for the 2^nd year. 

Credit Suisse’s national sponsorship provides financial and volunteer support for four of Half the Sky’s Preschools in China, a total of 145 children in Qingdao, Qingyuan, Urumqi and Wuhan.

Half the Sky’ s Little Sisters Preschools are located inside state-run welfare institutions and are operated with the approval of China's Ministry of Civil Affairs. The preschool program was established in the year 2000 and is currently operating in 45 centers, reaching 1,500 children who are guided by 400 teachers. Because China’s Ministry of Civil Affairs has embraced Half the Sky’s preschools as a model for pre-primary school education, Half the Sky-inspired preschools will eventually be established in every orphanage in the country. 

Credit Suisse’s sponsorship of this program is part of its commitment to support communities in which it operates, including through philanthropy grants to support lifetime educational opportunities for disadvantaged children.

Thanks to Credit Suisse’s support, preschoolers living in China’s institutions receive a world-class standard of early childhood education that prepares them for primary school in their communities or in the community of their adoptive families.

“Providing access to long-term education for underprivileged children has always been one of the focus areas of our philanthropy initiatives at Credit Suisse. Our continued sponsorship of Half the Sky in 2013 will help secure specialist support for orphaned children in China, enriching their lives through the provision of optimal care and improving their prospects for a brighter future,“ said Neil Harvey, CEO, Hong Kong, Credit Suisse.

Half the Sky Foundation CEO and Founder, Jenny Bowen said: ”Time and time again, the orphaned children in our Little Sisters Preschools demonstrate that, just like children living in families, they can blossom when they are given the gift of a nurturing, stimulating environment. We are grateful for Credit Suisse’s gift, which has made it possible for so many more children to become the curious, active learners they were born to be.” 

About Credit Suisse AG

Credit Suisse AG is one of the world's leading financial services providers and is part of the Credit Suisse group of companies (referred to here as 'Credit Suisse'). As an integrated bank, Credit Suisse is able to offer clients its expertise in the areas of private banking, investment banking and asset management from a single source. Credit Suisse provides specialist advisory services, comprehensive solutions and innovative products to companies, institutional clients and high net worth private clients worldwide, and also to retail clients in Switzerland. Credit Suisse is headquartered in Zurich and operates in over 50 countries worldwide. The group employs approximately 48,400 people. The registered shares (CSGN) of Credit Suisse's parent company, Credit Suisse Group AG, are listed in Switzerland and, in the form of American Depositary Shares (CS), in New York. Further information about Credit Suisse can be found at www.credit-suisse.com.

About Half the Sky Foundation

Half the Sky Foundation is a global NGO that establishes and operates programs that provide emotional and educational support for orphaned children living in government-run welfare institutions across China and trains caregivers to provide optimal care through those programs. In the 15 years since it was founded, Half the Sky has impacted the lives of more than 70,000-orphaned children. Half the Sky’s offices are in Hong Kong, Beijing, Berkeley, and Vancouver. More information about Half the Sky can be found at www.halfthesky.org.

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Half the Sky Foundation

Half the Sky Foundation

Half the Sky was created in order to enrich the lives of orphaned children in China. We provide model programs and caregiver training designed to offer loving, family-like care to children of all ages and abilities. It is our goal to ensure that every orphaned child has a caring adult in her life and a chance at a bright future.

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