It Takes a Village to Raise a Child

A word from the Founders - Y2 2023 Annual Report

Dedicated to All Those Who Devote Themselves Wholeheartedly to Education


“It takes a village to raise a child" comes from an African proverb speaking to how the raising of healthy, happy, and flourishing children require the collective efforts of parents, teachers, neighbors, professionals, community members, and policymakers—all must work together to rear children.[1]

Newborns are curious from the moment they first open their eyes, eager to learn everything there is to know about the world! Parents, close family members, and other adults are not only their earliest guides in life but also their first intimate human relations.

From infancy to reaching independence in adulthood, teachers, grown-ups, social culture, and government policies all play vital roles across various stages of human development.

Often when family functions are compromised, they become the only supportive and stabilizing forces in children’s lives.

Social bonding help humans survive, thrive, and gain mutual support. Research have found that strong, positive interpersonal relationships contribute to physical and mental well-being, especially during times of stress or trauma.

At-risk youth who develop relationships with caring, trusting adults are more resilient than those who lack these connections.

Moreover, social connections and support can also alleviate parental stress. In a village, where families, schools, communities, and government agencies join forces, their efforts are more effective than if they were to work alone.[2]


2023 marks Y2’s seventh anniversary. Through the years, we have come to realize that education advocacy is akin to raising a child—both necessitating the collective efforts of a village.

Family, school, and public policy must all be involved. From frontline educators, education institutions and instructors that volunteer their valuable time and resources to help public schools transform, to companies that integrate education with corporate social responsibility, we'd like to dedicate this year’s annual report to all the individuals and organizations who have dedicated themselves to the welfare and education of children.

We hope to share the intentions, thoughts, and personal stories behind their contributions. Let us, again, ponder the meaning, value, and importance of service for the benefit of each child and society; and let us cherish and hold gratitude for each and every whole-hearted contribution.


Founders of Y2 Foundation for Future Education
Andy Chen
Cynthia Hang


[1] Reupert, A., Straussner, S. L., Weimand, B., & Maybery, D. (2022). It takes a village to raise a child: Understanding and expanding the concept of the “village.” Frontiers in Public Health, 10. https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/public-health/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2022.756066 2

[2] Haslam et al.; Garbarino & Sherman; Christenson as cited in Reupert et al., 2022


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