The YC Shen family visits Ghana to support children with congenital heart disease
5th July 2024
The Shen Yang & Shen Yuet Children's Heart Foundation marked a significant milestone in its mission to combat congenital heart disease in Ghana, visiting the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital and the National Cardiothoracic Centre.
YC Shen, the driving force behind this initiative and CEO of Sunda International, led a family expedition to assess the foundation's progress since its establishment in January 2023.
This journey aimed to evaluate the foundation's impact and explore new ways to enhance pediatric cardiac care in Ghana, reinforcing its commitment to supporting young hearts in the region.
Established in January 2023, the foundation has already made remarkable progress in its short existence.
The recent family expedition, facilitated by Ghanaian businessman Herbert Mensah, aimed to assess the foundation's impact and explore new avenues to enhance pediatric cardiac care in the region.
"Our visit to Ghana has been incredibly enlightening and reaffirming," YC Shen remarked. "Seeing all the children whose lives have been saved through our support gives me much joy. The progress we've made is heart-warming, but there is still much to be done."
Since its inception, the foundation has made significant contributions to pediatric cardiac care in Ghana. It has donated essential medical supplies to local hospitals, funded surgeries for 41 children with an estimated value of hundreds of thousands of USD, and set an ambitious goal to assist 20 children with heart surgeries annually.
During their visit, the Shen family engaged in in-depth meetings with medical professionals, including Dr. Entsua-Mensah, Director of the National Cardiothoracic Centre.
These discussions highlighted the positive impact of the foundation's support and explored future collaborative opportunities. Dr. Entsua-Mensah expressed gratitude for the foundation's contributions, emphasizing that the Centre is the only one of its kind in West Africa providing both treatment and doctor training. In response to the ongoing need, YC Shen pledged the foundation's support for 30 more surgeries in the second half of 2024.
The Shen family's visit extended beyond hospital tours and meetings. They spent valuable time with families and children who have undergone heart surgeries, as well as those on the waiting list. These interactions provided profound insights into the personal challenges and triumphs experienced by these families.
The team later moved to Kwashieman, providing a deeper understanding of the daily struggles and needs of families and their children with congenital heart disease, during which the foundation made donations of cash and assorted SUNDA products to the families.
YC Shen's dedication to this cause is deeply personal, rooted in compassion and a genuine desire to make a difference. "Our primary focus is on addressing the needs of the Ghanaian community at this time," Shen stated. "We believe that by concentrating our efforts here, we can make the most significant difference and ensure the success and sustainability of our charity initiatives."
The foundation's commitment to Ghana is also a gesture of gratitude. Shen noted that the Ghanaian market has been instrumental to the SUNDA group's success, with the company now exporting from Ghana to Europe and South America.
Looking ahead, the foundation plans to launch several new initiatives aimed at providing comprehensive support to children with congenital heart disease in Ghana. This includes a pledge to donate new equipment to the cardiothoracic unit at Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital.
Notably, the foundation is named after YC Shen's two sons, Shen Yang and Shen Yuet. Their inclusion in this visit was intentional, aimed at introducing them to the foundation's work and preparing them for future involvement in the charity.
As the Shen Yang & Shen Yuet Children's Heart Foundation continues its mission, it stands as a beacon of hope for many Ghanaian families. Through its targeted efforts and strategic partnerships, the foundation is not just funding surgeries – it's transforming lives and building a healthier future for Ghana's youngest hearts. The foundation invites public support and collaboration in these efforts, as it remains steadfast in its commitment to combating congenital heart disease in Ghana and potentially beyond.