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Starfish Project

I BELIEVE in Starfish & their vision to help exploited women in Asia. I NEED your help to raise enough funds in the next 60 days (Jun 21-Aug 20)

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Starfish Project

Starfish Project

Starfish Project

Starfish Project

Starfish Project

I BELIEVE in Starfish & their vision to help exploited women in Asia. I NEED your help to raise enough funds in the next 60 days (Jun 21-Aug 20)

I BELIEVE in Starfish & their vision to help exploited women in Asia. I NEED your help to raise enough funds in the next 60 days (Jun 21-Aug 20)

I BELIEVE in Starfish & their vision to help exploited women in Asia. I NEED your help to raise enough funds in the next 60 days (Jun 21-Aug 20)

I BELIEVE in Starfish & their vision to help exploited women in Asia. I NEED your help to raise enough funds in the next 60 days (Jun 21-Aug 20)

Cissy Chan
Cissy Chan
Cissy Chan
Cissy Chan
1 Campaign |
Beijing, China
$2,766 USD $2,766 USD 17 backers
16% of $16,912 Flexible Goal Flexible Goal

The Story...

One day, an old man was walking along a beach that was littered with thousands of starfish that had been washed ashore by the high tide. As he walked he came upon a young boy who was eagerly throwing the starfish back into the ocean, one by one.

Puzzled, the man looked at the boy and asked what he was doing. Without looking up from his task, the boy simply replied, "I'm saving these starfish, Sir".

The old man chuckled aloud, "Son, there are thousands of starfish and only one of you. What difference can you make?"

The boy picked up a starfish, gently tossed it into the water and turning to the man, said, "I made a difference to that one!"

Since 2006, the Project developed a socially responsible jewelry business in order to provide women with alternative employment and a range of holistic care services.  Since 2014, Starfish had grown to support approximately 60 women, primarily through the jewelry company where women have taken on new levels of responsibility and leadership, and are able to provide for their families through meaningful employment.


My Story...

October 2013 was a turning point in my life.  I left my comfortable life in Vancouver and came to Beijing seeking a new adventure.  I started to volunteer as an administrative assistant and a leader with the youth at a international ch /ch.  The experience was amazing.  I went in expecting to serve, but learned more from the youth than what I can teach them.

As I continued to work with the youth an unexpected opportunity came about in April 2014.  I was invited to partner with Starfish Project as their Office Administrator - aside from supporting the founder of Starfish, I will be teaching english in the office.  I truly believe in this company and their vision to help exploited women in Asia.  Starfish is a NGO and all of their proceeds go towards the exploited women we build relationships with.  

In the next year, I hope to be able to work for BOTH Starfish and with the Youth in Beijing.  Therefore, I want to invite you join me in these two wonderful cause.

For the past 8 months I have been supporting myself on my own savings, and in order to continue to work for these two causes I need to raise enough funds to cover all my expenses for the year and hopefully more so that I can stay longer.  Therefore, IN THE NEXT 60 DAYS, I want to raise AT LEAST $24,000 CND.  

The following is my expenses breakdown:

  • Rent - 40%   
  • Food - 25%   
  • Transportation/Travel Costs - 10%   
  • Utilities - 15%   
  • Misc - 10% 
Additional cost - Fundraising Site - approximately $1,680
  • Fundraising Site (Indiegogo) will charge 4% of what I will raise
  • This means $24,000 x 4% = $960 (they will charge 9% of what I've raised if I don't reach my goal)
  • Third Party Processing charges - credit card option = $24,000 x 3% = $720

If I can raise $25,680 (or more) at the end of these 60 days (AUG 22nd 2014), I will get the full $24,000 for this coming year in Beijing.


The Impact

Starfish believe in a holistic approach to empower women who once thought they do not deserve a future.  Besides offering an alternative employment for exploited women in China, Starfish provides the following as well.  

  • BUILD RELATIONSHIPS - We have staff and volunteers regularly go out and meet with women who are still trapped in exploitation.
  • PROVIDE SHELTER - We offer free room and board for women who has left a life of exploitation.
  • ACCESS TO HEALTH CARE - hospital visits, check ups, seminars, emotional and practical support, and simple consultation.
  • PROVIDE COUNSELLING - receives regular counseling and emotional care.
  • FAMILY EDUCATION GRANTS - grants to its employees' children so that they can be educated in the city and not be separated from their mother.
  • EDUCATION AND VOCATIONAL TRAINING - computing, production, marketing, inventory and stock-keeping.

The YOUTH (ages between 12 to 18) in our Beijing International Community comes from all over the world.  Most of their parents are in Beijing because of work.  Most of the job contracts lasts from 1 to 3 years, therefore, they are consistently moving around the world.  Our Youth are always faced with the heartache of leaving the life they've built, friends and comfort zone once their parents have a new contract in another country.  It is our mission and vision to provide a safe environment for these Youth to grow, learn and find support in a unstable environment.


Other Ways You Can Help

  • Please send my page to all your friends and family!
  • Go to Starfish's website and support us by buying jewellery as gifts for family and friends


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