YC Shen, CEO of Sunda International and founder of the Shen Yang & Shen Yuet Children’s Heart Foundation, successfully concluded a visit with his family to Ghana on July 1, 2024.
The purpose of the visit was to evaluate the foundation’s impact since its establishment in January 2023 and explore avenues for additional assistance, reaffirming the foundation’s commitment to enhancing the lives of children with congenital heart disease.
Facilitated by Ghanaian businessman Herbert Mensah, who also serves as the foundation’s secretary, the visit included comprehensive reviews of the foundation’s accomplishments and discussions on future support strategies. It also provided an opportunity for YC Shen to introduce his sons, Shen Yang and Shen Yuet, to the foundation’s operations in preparation for their future roles.
Since its inception, the Shen Yang & Shen Yuet Children’s Heart Foundation has made significant contributions, including the donation of critical medical supplies and funding for surgeries for 41 children, totaling hundreds of thousands of US Dollars. The foundation aims to support 20 children annually with heart surgeries.
During the visit, YC Shen met with Dr. Entsua-Mensah, Director of the National Cardiothoracic Centre at Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital. The discussions focused on the foundation’s impact, potential future collaborations, and the specific needs of the center.
YC Shen expressed to the doctors, “Our main focus is currently on addressing the needs of the Ghanaian community. We believe that by concentrating our efforts here, we can make the most significant impact and ensure the success and sustainability of our charitable initiatives. While our current activities are centered in Ghana, we are open to exploring opportunities to expand our reach in the future.”
“The lessons learned and successes achieved in Ghana could potentially inform future projects elsewhere. For example, we could extend our support to patients from Burkina Faso and Ivory Coast, where SUNDA has operations. However, our current goal is to continue making a profound impact in Ghana, providing crucial support and resources to the families and children who need it most,” he added.
The SUNDA CEO also informed the doctors to prepare for more work as he committed the foundation’s support for 30 additional surgeries in the second half of 2024.
Dr. Entsua-Mensah expressed gratitude for the foundation’s support, highlighting its crucial role in treating 41 children and training medical professionals across West Africa.
The YC Shen family also spent meaningful time with families and children affected by congenital heart disease, gaining insights into their challenges and successes. Personal testimonials emphasized the life-changing impact of the foundation’s work.
While at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, the family toured the children’s ward, engaging with patients and healthcare staff. This visit shed light on critical needs such as the expansion of intensive care facilities and the upgrade of medical equipment.
Motivated by a personal experience, YC Shen emphasized his dedication to supporting Ghanaian communities. In the future, the foundation plans to launch new initiatives and donate additional equipment to improve cardiac care in Ghana.
In conclusion, YC Shen expressed deep satisfaction with the progress made and reiterated the foundation’s ongoing commitment to expanding its impact. He stressed the importance of continued support to ensure that all children with congenital heart disease receive essential care.
The Shen Yang & Shen Yuet Children’s Heart Foundation remains steadfast in its mission, seeking public support to advance their cause.
Source: Felix Nyarko – Contributor
