Half the Sky Foundation (HTS) is pleased to announce that Credit Suisse will be supporting the Little Sisters Preschool Program for orphaned children as its National Sponsor, for the third consecutive year.

Credit Suisse’s National Sponsorship provides financial and volunteer support for four of HTS’s preschools in China that provide quality preschool education to nearly 150 children in Qingdao, Qingyuan, Urumqi, and Wuhan. With Credit Suisse’s support, preschoolers living in various Chinese social welfare institutions all over the country can receive world-class early childhood education, preparing them for primary school.

HTS’s CEO and Founder, Jenny Bowen said: “Credit Suisse’s unprecedented, ongoing commitment to our Little Sisters Preschool Program enables us to offer a stimulating learning environment for many orphaned children who have never had the benefit of quality early childhood education. We are grateful for Credit Suisse’s steadfast commitment to the children as well as dedication of its staff who volunteer in our programs. The Credit Suisse National Sponsorship is indeed a model for corporate social responsibility.”

Half the Sky’ s Little Sisters Preschools are located inside state-run welfare institutions and operated with the approval of China's Ministry of Civil Affairs. The Little Sisters Preschool Program was established 14 years ago and is currently operating in 45 centers reaching 1,310 children guided by 340 Half the Sky-trained 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 places significant emphasis on philanthropy and staff engagement and we are delighted to be partnering with Half the Sky as the National Sponsor of the Little Sisters Preschool Program. At Credit Suisse, we believe that education and training are the most important investments in people, and the key drivers of growth and success. We are committed to investing in quality education for underprivileged children in China,” said Neil Harvey, CEO, Hong Kong and Co-CEO, Greater China.

Below, preschoolers in Wuhan are taught by Half the Sky teacher, He Sufang, benefitting from Credit Suisse’s national sponsorship of the Little Sisters Preschool Program.

Qingqing is a smart girl who had to learn to curb her enthusiastic outbursts in the classroom! One day, I asked the children a question. Some children raised their hands, but Qingqing was so excited she blurted out: “Pick me, pick me!” I suggested that Qingqing raise her hand first. The next time I asked a question, Qingqing was careful to raise her hand, but couldn’t help herself from blurting out: “I know the answer, pick me!” I put my finger to my lips to signal her to remain silent. Qingqing followed my instructions, waiting quietly with her hand up. I said: “I would like to invite Qingqing to answer this question!” Qingqing stood up and gave me a perfect answer! It is such a pleasure to teach a child who loves to learn and a pleasure to see Qingqing becoming more polite, more even-tempered and more social—she has made lots of friends. Qingqing is growing up!

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 16 years since it was founded, Half the Sky has impacted the lives of more than 100,000 orphaned children. Half the Sky’s offices are in Hong Kong, Beijing, Berkeley, and Quebec. More information about Half the Sky can be found at www.halfthesky.org.

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 46,400 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.

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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