Mission :
To improve the lives of children in the US and China with an emphasis on providing educational opportunities.

Yao Ming -
姚明 (born in September 12, 1980), who plays for the Houston Rockets of the NBA.
He is currently the tallest player in NBA, at 2.29m.
He is one of China's best-known athletes, with sponsorships with several major companies, and he has been the richest celebrity in China for six straight years.

Yao Ming -
Since his arrival in Houston as the NBA's number one draft pick in 2002, Yao Ming has become an icon in two distinct cultures and on two continents. As such, he is an important bridge between China and the United States both on and off the basketball court.

Yao Ming :
“It is very hard for me to put into words how difficult it is to see this kind of destruction. My thoughts and actions are now focused on helping to rebuild the schools that were destroyed in this tragedy and to rebuild them in the proper way. I am deeply appreciative that you have decided to join me in this effort. Hopefully you and I can also encourage others around the world to do as we are doing, to make life better for those who need our help.”

First primary school in Sichuan funded by The Yao Ming Foundation opens
September 4, 2009
The first primary school funded by The Yao Ming Foundation was officially opened during a ceremony on September 4th in Guangyuan of Sichuan. The Xue Yan Yao Foundation Hope Primary Schools is named to commemorate the young teacher, Yang Xueyan, who sacrificed herself to save her students during May 12 earthquake in 2008.