A nonprofit initiative that connects mothers around the world with social, professional, and financial resources as they strive to achieve physical and mental wellbeing. Meet the Team Volunteer Operation Team International Advisory Board Youth Advisory Board 100 Hours Volunteer Club Operation Team+ Chai Chai GMI art+ Program Advisor Faye Yang GMI art+ Program Advisor Margaret Nie MomStory100 Program Lead Qiran Zhang English MomStory Editor Christina Ren Translator and MomStory Editor Jane Li Founder and Chief Volunteer Mari International Community Coordinator Sharon Liu UX/UI Designer Eliz Yang Space4Moms Project Coordinator Joanna Cheung WellBeing4Moms Lead Nessie Editor, WellBeing4Moms Program Coordinator Sun Lingxi Jobs4Moms Co-Initiator Eva Wang Jobs4Moms Program Lead Kate Xu MomCEO100 and Women Entrepreneurs Program Lead Petru Simion International Youth Volunteer Team Lead Zheng Xiao 10-Months Writing Program Coordinator Eva, Wang Yiman Editor and Event Planner Liqing Pan MomStory Editor and Partnership Building Pheobe Cui 10-Months Writing Challenge Coordinator Ziwei Luo English Podcast Producer and City Chapter Lead (CA) Back to Top Operation Team International Advisory Team International Advisory Board Ms. Charmaine du Plessis Charmaine du Plessis is a global marketing communications professional and has held senior executive leadership roles in marketing, corporate and strategic communication, public relations, and brand and reputation management. Her career is multi-sectoral and she enjoys working across cultures. She has worked and partnered with organizations in South Africa, United States of America, Dubai, India, and Malaysia. Her expertise, as integrated marketing, and corporate communications specialist, covers various aspects, including the development, implementation, and management of numerous integrated marketing communication strategies. She currently resides in Beijing, China. Dr. May Farid She is a political scientist studying civil society, policy and development in contemporary China and beyond. She currently researches education policy in China as a Visiting Scholar at the University of Stanford's Graduate School of Education. Her research centers on the interplay between citizen initiatives and state policy and practice, and the implications of this dynamic for development and governance. Ordinary citizens are increasingly taking individual and collective initiative to address development challenges. Ms. Sonja Ling Sonja has worked as a renewable energy policy advocate and currently works at Sun Path Electric, a socially conscious solar company in Seattle. She is the program director for Global Women Partners in Philanthropy, a project that helps donors worldwide become effective philanthropists in their own communities by adopting the collective giving grantmaking model developed by the Washington Women’s Foundation. Sonja is the mom of two kids and believes we must all take local action on climate change. For over ten years, she served on the board of Washington Women for Climate Action Now (formerly CoolMom), a Seattle-based nonprofit that engages and empowers women to lead equitable climate action in Washington state. She has lived and worked in Taiwan and during the past decade she and her family have spent extended periods of time in both Beijing and Kunming, China. She holds a BA from the University of Washington and MSc in Environmental Change and Management from the University of Oxford, where she focused her research on solar power in Qinghai, China. Ms. Marta Lopez Marta Cámara, also known as Constanza Chesnott, is a screenwriter and fiction author with Penguin Random House, celebrated for over a decade of compelling novels that captivate readers across languages. Her works, translated into English, Spanish, Italian, and Portuguese, bring her storytelling to diverse audiences worldwide. In addition to novels, Marta has written limited series adaptations, original screenplays, and specialized adaptations of Chinese series for foreign markets. With over 20 years as an experienced copyright lawyer, she bridges the creative and legal fields with expertise. In September 2024, Marta participated as a writer and script supervisor in the renowned 48-Hour Film Challenge in Shanghai, where her team’s short film True Artist earned seven nominations. Her passion for culture and exploration is matched by her international life experience—having lived in Taipei, Singapore, the United States, France, Germany, Italy, Ecuador, Spain, and China. She is fluent in English, Spanish, Italian, French, and Chinese, embodying a truly global perspective. Ms. Jasmine Lau Jasmine Lau is a social entrepreneur, educator, and international community builder. She is the Co-Founder and Executive Director of PIM (Purpose in Motion, formerly Philanthropy in Motion), which empowers young people with education, resources, and networks to become effective leaders and changemakers. She is part of the inaugural board of advisors to the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation’s Goalkeepers initiative, which aims to promote collective citizen action globally to accomplish the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Jasmine has been recognized by Forbes 30 Under 30 for her work in social entrepreneurship and the World Economic Forum as a Global Shaper. She is a recipient of the Richard Rockefeller Fellowship and the Hong Kong Youth Service Award. Ms. Mari Sharashidze With the educational background in Social and Political Sciences, Mari has worked in non-profit organizational development in Georgia and has seen first-hand that empowering women and girls can bring transformational improvements in families, communities, and societies. She has worked in education industry for over five years while also volunteering for women’s empowerment and well-being in Beijing, China. She has seen the importance of people’s engagement in actions towards positive impact making.With some knowledge in partnership development, community engagement, child and youth education, strategy planning, policy advocacy and parenting, she’s here to contribute to the overall well-being of GlobalMoms. Ms. Wang Le A Chinese mom who lives in New York. She comes with many years’ experience in international development and the Humanatrain sector in Asia and Africa. She worked both on the front line supporting children and mothers in need and influencing policy and political debates at United Nations through inter-government processes. Wang Le also brings experts in Children’s rights, non-profit management and resilience-building for the most vulnerable groups in society. Her life and work in a multi-culture environment have given her a unique perspective on inclusion and diversity. From the most remote area of northern Kenya to the metropolitan of shanghai or New York, mothers play the most important role to ensure their kids are healthy and achieve their full potential in development. This is why the global mums’ initiative is an excellent platform to connect them and empower them to be the best of themselves and be the best for their children and society! Researcher Zhao Jie Zhao Jie has been engaged in women's studies for more than 30 years, and is one of the important promoters and founders of social gender and development in Yunnan. She is currently a board member of the China Women's Studies Association and is also a principal expert adviser to relevant government departments and civil society organizations on projects to promote gender equality and the development of Women/girls. She is a leader in academic theory, policy advocacy and action research, and has extensive experience in gender analysis, participatory ideas and methods, and feminist fieldwork, her works are abundant, and some of her ideas and pioneering research have been praised by colleagues at home and abroad. She retired from the Yunnan Academy of Social Sciences in 2011 and continues to promote gender equality in China and Yunnan. Ms. Kitty Li A Hong Kong returned overseas Chinese youth leader and one of the top ten female entrepreneurs in the Chinese education industry. As the founder of a leading high-end brand in the Chinese family education sector, she has made significant contributions to the development of the Chinese family education market with her practical and unique insights. She has access to high-end educational toys for infants and young children worldwide, as well as abundant resources of family education experts. She pays special attention to the needs of contemporary women and mothers, accumulating rich experiences and venturing into areas such as family offices, law firms, and mommy clubs. She pursues the charm of lifelong growth and is passionate about empowering others. Dr. Samantha Sibanda Born in Zimbabwe and working in Beijing. Founder of Appreciate Africa Network an organization that is there to promote the values of African socio-cultural and economic contributions in the world. She is also the brains behind Pride Of Africa Asia Awards which aims to appreciate African individuals who are making remarkable contributions in Asia Pacific. Ms. Aisha Moffett Aisha Moffett is the Founder and CEO of CORE, a women’s empowerment organization that has successfully built a global community of women that focuses on their holistic wellbeing. Core women share their truth to help each other thrive in their personal and professional lives. Currently, CORE women are from over 30 countries. Aisha is a professional life and team coach. Partnering with individual and teams globally to move forward toward achieving their goals. She’s also a story maven and “trailblazing spouse” that is passionate about empowering women to embrace and live out their story with intention and purpose. Prior to living in China, Aisha had 22 years of operations management experience in the technology, sales, marketing, and human resources industries in the United States. Dr. Sisi Sung Dr. Sisi Sung is an award-winning economist, Sisi holds professional affiliations across the United States, China, Europe, and the United Kingdom. She serves as an expert advisor to the European Commission, guiding multinational corporations and international organizations in advancing gender equality and leveraging diversity for sustainability. Sisi is the author of the internationally acclaimed book, The Economics of Gender in China: Women, Work, and the Glass Ceiling , and is dedicated to translating her research on gender economics, leadership, and entrepreneurship into actionable strategies for equity that transform workplaces worldwide. Read More Read More Read More Read More Read More Read More Read More Read More Read More Read More Read More Read More Youth Advisory Board Back to Top Youth Advisory Board Kate, Xu Ting VC investor, venture builder, bilingual podcast host and producer, specializing in cross-border and emerging markets since 2017. "The women/female friends I have met in my life have showed me the limitless possibilities of what it means to be a woman. I am very blessed to have met them and have learned from them to follow your heart, your passion, and to live the life you want. There is magic , strength and power in female bonding." Petru Simon Petru is a seasoned product manager, with +5 years of experience in entrepreneurship, scale-ups and innovation. More recently, also a student in International Development and Management at Lund University (Sweden) and as of latest relocated to Beijing. He is passionate about development across a variety of topics, from climate and wellbeing to social change and women empowerment. Susan Su a Grade 9 Student from Beijing Chen Jinglun Middle School and is about to entering the high school study. Susan has a positive, kind, and artistic heart, from an early age, she was keen on music, art and charity activities, as well as the cooking culture of different countries. She was exposed to a wide range of social issues at different stages of her life, including education and protection of children with special needs, public art and healing, animal protection and scientific development. Susan used to donate 100 copies of her children's book“Dandelions on the Windowsill: Stories of talking and listening” (the book cover was illustrated by her) to more than 30 orphanages. She also actively supported international organizations and cultural exchange programs such as Unicef, Finnish Embassy in Beijing and GlobalMoms Initiative. Abuya E. Best Abuya E. Best, from Nigeria. She currently works with the Edo State Government as a Medical Laboratory Technician. Alongside her main profession, she is a passionate UI/UX designer, leading the design team at Kaku Technologies, a platform that focuses on reading, writing, and publishing books online. My skills also extend to No-code web development. One of the roles she cherishs most is her position as a volunteer facilitator at DigiGirls. There, she has the opportunity to empower Nigerian girls and women by teaching them how to build e-commerce websites, enabling them to bring their businesses online. In her spare time, she enjoys brainstorming ideas that can benefit her community and nation at large. Additionally, she has a keen interest in learning about foreign cultures. Sharon Liu Sharon is a mindfulness coach and UX designer currently based in Hainan, China. She has a background in contemporary fine art and visual cultures. As a coach, she supports clients’ sense of self-belonging which empowers them to move through life with easeful authenticity. As a designer, she specializes in working with clients whose work focuses on wellbeing and social impact. Designer of the first GMI website. Nubes Chen With master degree in urban planning in the US, Nubes has abundant consulting experiences in business and public areas in China from 2018 to 2022. She also pays individual efforts to women charities as a volunteer researcher. She highly appreciates GMI’s endeavor to redefine mothers’ values and desires to contribute to women’s development. With the idea of combining her interests in urban development and gender equality, she hopes to instill humanism in our cities and make them places where women's stories are heard, women's power is granted, and everyone is respected as an individual. Read More Read More Read More Read More Read More Read More Back to Top

Upon expanding the GMI global network, to truly achieve our mission to unite globalmoms and inspire the world with MomQ, we acknowledged the importance of slowly activating offline City Chapters anywhere within and outside of China. City Chapters Building a Global Network Upon expanding the GMI global network, to truly achieve our mission to unite globalmoms and inspire the world with MomQ, we acknowledged the importance of slowly activating offline City Chapters anywhere within and outside of China. Cultural context in which the interaction between moms and the stakeholders occurs has a significant impact on the process of community engagement and effective program implementation. Thus, we encourage leaders and volunteers within the shared geographical locations to get involved and make a difference (in moms’ and their own lives). Every chapter will be supported and guided by GMI leadership team throughout the change-makng journey. Start A Chapter Active Chapters Siena, Italy Chapter Lead | Esther, Li Yun Feng Li Yun Feng, a Naxi nationality born in China, is currently living in Italy, where she promotes and engages in international folk culture & art exchanges. She is the founder of Ming Women's Museum & Ming China-Netherlands Association for Promotion of Culture and Art. Vist https://www.mingart.nl for more information. Beijing, China Chapter Lead | Jane Li Jane Li holds her master’s degree in Nonprofit Management from The University of Hong Kong (passed with Distinction and awarded Madam Lo Ng Kiu Ying Anita Memorial Scholarship), and bachelor’s degree in laws from Fudan University (awarded the Excellent Graduate of the Year 2007). Before launching GlobalMoms Initiative to empower women with children at different life stages, her past 15 years of work experience has spanned the private sector, public sector and nonprofit sector. Jakarta, Indonesia Chapter Lead | Sissi Li Sissi Li is an award-winning TV personality who began her broadcasting career at just 10 years old, hosting radio shows and television galas. With a passion for storytelling and human connection, she built a distinguished career with leading global media organizations, contributing to hundreds of news stories and conducting exclusive interviews with world leaders. Despite her early success in the spotlight, Sissi’s true passion has always been about connecting with people on a deeper level. That calling became even stronger when she became a mother—an experience that shifted her focus from recognition to purpose. Today, Sissi serves as a chapter leader for the Global Moms Initiative in Indonesia, working to empower women and build supportive communities around the world. She believes wholeheartedly that helping others is one of the most powerful ways to grow and heal ourselves. Tbilisi, Georgia Chapter Lead | Mari Sharashidze With an educational background in Social and Political Sciences, Mari Sharashidze has worked in non-profit organizational development in Georgia and has seen first-hand that empowering women and girls can bring transformational improvements in families, communities, and societies. She has worked in education industry for 5+ years while also volunteering for women’s empowerment and well-being in Beijing, China. She has seen the importance of people’s engagement in actions towards positive impact making. With her knowledge in partnership development, community engagement, child and youth education, strategy planning, policy advocacy and parenting, she’s here to contribute to the overall well-being of GlobalMoms. Shanghai, China Chapter Co-Lead | Sasha Chen Sasha Chen is a professional in nonprofit management with 10+ years of experience working at foundations and universities in Hong Kong, Beijing, and Shanghai. She is also a researcher in impact investing and social entrepreneurship and has authored several research papers and cases in social innovation. Sasha is currently running her nonprofit organization to promote lifelong learning. As a mother of two children and the Chair of Shanghai Guangbo Institute of Further Education, she launched the MamaPro network with the support of the Shanghai Women Federation to empower working moms. Sasha holds a BA in Economics from Fudan University, an MPA in Nonprofit Management from New York University, and an MPhil in Public Policy from Hong Kong University. Shenzhen, China Chapter Lead | Selina Ma Selina Ma has worked multiple positions in the Internet field for 10+ years, including development engineer, project manager, product manager and others. At the same time, she has paid close attention to the public welfare industry and volunteer organizations, and has more than ten years of volunteer service experience, mainly in the fields of education and women. Selina graduated from Dalian University of Technology. She is a certified lecturer of positive discipline, a tutor of parent-child reading, and collaborator of a family education public welfare organization. Chapter Lead | Samtso Kyi Shangri-La, China Samtso is a mother of two and has over 10 years of experience in the NGO and social entrepreneurship field. She is dedicated to helping women and children in rural areas, and she is the founder and CEO of the Shangri-la Gyalthang Academy and the Women’s Beekeeping Initiative. She has a master's degree in Human Resource Management and is passionate about creating sustainable opportunities for people in need. Chapter Lead | Cong Chen Xi'An, China Cong Chen, Founder of "Art and Nature CAN" School & Half the Sky Bookstore Space Manager. She has been engaged in art for 12 years, advocating gender equality and environmental awareness in art activities, and practicing the concept that art comes from nature. In 2015, she worked in a public welfare organization, focusing on the development of women and children. In 2020, she collaborated with rural women and children in a public welfare project to build a nature school, and combined natural art with life education to carry out a series of activities to promote children's new understanding and changes in life in nature. Chapter Lead | Joanna Cheung Hong Kong Joanna has spent most of her professional life in leading global sports organisations, including IMG and the NBA. During this time, she witnessed first-hand how the mind can significantly impact performance and our overall well-being. This sparked her interest in exploring how mindfulness is applied in both personal and professional contexts. Committed to sharing her knowledge and skills with others, Joanna offers individual and group mindfulness coaching in English, Mandarin, and Cantonese. Her goal is to help individuals and groups achieve greater personal and professional well-being and live a happier, more fulfilling life. After spending her teenage years in the UK and most of her adult life in Beijing, Joanna and her family recently moved back to Hong Kong, where they now call home. Chapter Lead | Elisa Zhang Wuhan, China She has been full-time mothering nearly five years, and returned to the workplace for three years, is “Robot Online”company's first female salesperson, based in Wuhan. Recently she also takes a new role as the manager of a community book club in Wuhan. her interests cover traditional incense culture, yoga etc. She hopes to rebuild neighborhood relations through gathering people togther with fun community events, such as reading, sports, art education, parenting talks and so on. Chapter Co-Lead | Emma Zhang Beijing, China Zhang Jun is the co-founder of Leadersmind Education, an internet education company committed to providing holistic development programs for school-age children. In her early career, Ms. Zhang accumulated extensive experience in the media and public relations industry, where she delivered strategic PR consulting services to multiple internationally renowned organizations and brands. Ms. Zhang has always been concerned about women’s self-growth, she is currently engaged in public welfare projects related to children and women's development. Chapter Lead | Ziwei Luo Victoria, Canada Ziwei Luo is an accomplished professional with an interdisciplinary background in cross-cultural communication, education, and media. Holding a Master’s degree in Education (Leadership Studies) and a Bachelor’s degree in Arabic Language, she has extensive experience working in both international and local settings. Ziwei aims to leverage her diverse expertise to drive impactful social initiatives, with a strong focus on promoting environmental sustainability and gender equity. Chapter Co-Lead | Marta Cámara Shanghai, China & Spain Marta Cámara, also known as Constanza Chesnott, is a screenwriter and fiction author with Penguin Random House, celebrated for over a decade of compelling novels that captivate readers across languages. Her works, translated into English, Spanish, Italian, and Portuguese, bring her storytelling to diverse audiences worldwide. In addition to novels, Marta has written limited series adaptations, original screenplays, and specialized adaptations of Chinese series for foreign markets. With over 20 years as an experienced copyright lawyer, she bridges the creative and legal fields with expertise. In September 2024, Marta participated as a writer and script supervisor in the renowned 48-Hour Film Challenge in Shanghai, where her team’s short film True Artist earned seven nominations. Her passion for culture and exploration is matched by her international life experience—having lived in Taipei, Singapore, the United States, France, Germany, Italy, Ecuador, Spain, and China. She is fluent in English, Spanish, Italian, French, and Chinese, embodying a truly global perspective. Chapter Lead | Xu Huimin Hangzhou, China Founder of Shuting Social Organization Service Center, "Shared Farming and Reading Space" manager, GoZeroWaste Hangzhou team leader. Having been a stay-at-home mom twice, I created a better version of myself. In the process from hesitation, helplessness to determination and courage, I got to know a lot of mothers with the similar situation. I hope to help more moms live out their true selves through mom empowerment actions. I like reading in nature, playing games, but also enjoy quiet times observing painting. Chapter Co-Lead | Salome Tsikhiseli Guangzhou, China & Georgia Salome originally comes from Georgia. Salome has been living and working in Guangzhou for eight years, promoting Georgian culture. She holds a PhD in Humanities, specializing in Sinology, and is also a philologist of English language and literature. She is an official member of the NGO “Belt and Road Georgian Business House” and serves as the Head of the Public Relations Department within the organization. Additionally, she is the founder of a cultural exchange center. Salome is also the creator of “Karabadini”, her own brand of organic skincare products. At the same time, she lectures at the International Faculty in Guangzhou. Chapter Co-Lead | Wu Qiong Shanghai, China Ms. Wu Qiong, social worker, Master of Social Service Administration, Hong Kong Polytechnic University. Director, Shanghai Yixin Social Work Development Center. Director of the Minhang District Women's Business Association. She has 19 years of experience in community public service. In women's councils, women's participation in community governance, leading the team to develop, design and implement the“Her ideas” series of courses, the“Her wisdom” women's council project, the“Carnation Care” project for critically ill women, the“Anti-domestic Violence Alliance” mechanism innovation project, and the“Women's home” Empowerment Project. It combines project practice with theoretical research, participates in action research on women's issues, and actively speaks out for the protection of women's rights and interests and women's development through various platforms. Chapter Lead | Cao Xiaoqian Kuala lumpur, Malaysia Cao Xiaoqian, a mother of two, brings over 20 years of diverse experience spanning the telecommunications, automotive, education, and food and beverage sectors. Her professional journey includes roles as both a founder and an integral member of various startup teams. Currently, she serves as an instructor within the innovation and entrepreneurship center at a Malaysian University, where her responsibilities encompass fostering industry-academia collaborations and nurturing student innovation and entrepreneurial endeavors. Academically, she holds a Master's degree in Social Psychology and a Bachelor's degree with a double major in Linguistics and Trade. If you’d like to... Lead and develop a team of volunteers and show them how they can contribute while developing their skills Plan and coordinate GMI project-related meetings, events, and activities Communicate with stakeholders and get more moms involved Look out for ways to build collaborations to ensure effective needs response within your community Have a lot of fun in the process ...A new chapter in your life awaits! Start a new GMI chapter in your city. We offer assistance, support and mentorship throughout your journey. Apply Now Start A Chapter

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Photo / Gao Fangxia, a Chinese Paralympic Champion Archer Story told by Gao Fangxia in May, 2025 Edited by Qingyu Zhang, Jane Li English translated by Qiran Zhang Choose Independence: My Earliest Decision   My name is Gao Fangxia, a former Chinese Paralympic archer. Although I am still an active athlete, I first encountered archery when I was 24 years old. Even though I’m now a bit older, my love for the sport remains undiminished. When I was four, I injured my leg, and by the age of nine, my parents had divorced. From that moment on, I felt that, in the end, I could only rely on myself. After my parents’ separation, my primary school headteacher showed me great kindness. She never treated me as a disabled child needing special care; instead, she encouraged me greatly, urging me to participate in speech competitions and inspiring me to excel in writing. Once, my essay even won a national prize. Her support and opportunities made me feel no less capable than any other child. I am especially grateful to her for helping me cultivate a positive outlook on life and strong values. Growing up, I made almost all my decisions independently, from what to do after graduation to decisions about my marriage. I’ve always handled major life choices on my own. Perhaps because of my childhood injury, I never saw my disability as a source of inferiority or deep harm. I simply accepted that my leg was gone but refused to let it define or limit me. Determined not to rely on others, I mastered as many life skills as possible to avoid burdening anyone. Since childhood, this mindset shaped me into someone who could tackle almost everything independently. As I grew older, I developed clear goals for every decision I made. For instance, after finishing middle school, I chose not to take the college entrance exam. At that time, my father was raising me and my brother alone, and our family was under significant financial strain. I wanted to graduate early, start working, and ease my father’s burden so that I wouldn’t add to his worries. Therefore, I decided to attend a technical school. In the 1990s, technical school graduates were guaranteed job assignments, making it a practical choice for our circumstances. “Dad, I Want to Go to Beijing” It was probably during my internship in 2004 that I heard on the radio about “sports for people with disabilities”. That was the first time I learned such a thing even existed. Before that, I had never even met another disabled person like me. When I heard the broadcast, I was very curious. I went to an internet café to look up more information and finally learned what disabled sports were all about. Some things in life really are a mix of chance and opportunity. When I first learned about disabled sports, the sport being introduced was archery. Later, when I had my own first experience with disabled sports, it also happened to be archery. For me, archery was love at first sight. When I saw it, I talked to my father and said, “Dad, I want to go to Beijing. I don't want to spend my whole life in Datong. I want to see the world.” I longed to see a bigger world, to meet more people. At the time, I was young and full of big dreams, not overly concerned about whether they were realistic. I simply told my dad how I felt. He said, “You know, if you go to Beijing, you’ll lose your job, and you’re still just an intern.” The job I was assigned to would have become permanent three months later. I was just ten days short of that milestone. But I told my dad, “It’s okay. I’ve made up my mind. I just want to give it a try.” My dad, as always, was incredibly supportive. Since I was a child, he had always stood behind my decisions. That made me feel very lucky. Although my family wasn’t very happy overall, having my dad’s unwavering support made me feel truly fortunate. He said, “Then go. If it doesn’t work out, come back. No matter what, I’ll always be here for you.” Maybe if my dad hadn’t said those words, this decision wouldn’t have felt so significant. But because he did, I became even more determined to go, to see for myself, and to give it a try. At the time, I also felt uncomfortable being the only disabled person in the office. I didn’t want to seem special or be the one constantly receiving help. “Why should I have to stick to a nine-to-five job?” I thought. I wanted to carve out my own path, so in 2005, I went to Beijing. Back then, I didn’t think too much about whether I could succeed or not. My only thought was to give it everything I had, to exhaust every possibility, and to do my best. I Won a Bronze Medal in My First Competition When I joined the disabled archery team, I didn’t expect everything to go so smoothly. Even the trial period passed without a hitch. However, my first competition was quite challenging. When I started practicing archery, there weren’t training bases or the kind of facilities we have now. At that time, disabled sports in China were far from developed. We didn’t even have a coach in 2005—there were just about a dozen of us on the team. Later, the archery team faced disbandment due to its lack of results and a coach. In the end, only two people remained: me and my now-husband, Brother Dong. Both of us really loved archery, so we decided to stick with it. After practicing for over six months, we thought, “Even if we participate in just one competition, it will be worth it.” That was the mindset we had at the time. By then, it was just the two of us left on the team. Back then, unlike today, information about competitions was scarce. Someone gave us a poster of a Korean archer. The two of us studied the poster intensely, analyzing the archer’s form. We even imagined the static image coming to life as if it were dynamic. Every day, we practiced while referencing the poster’s movements. Many people said there was no hope for the project, and many team members switched to other sports. But the two of us remained unwavering. Even without proper equipment, I used a domestic practice bow and arrows in my first competition, while others used imported ones. In my first competition, I won a bronze medal, which was completely unexpected. As for Brother Dong, he won a gold medal in his first competition. At that time, we didn’t know much about national-level achievements or how we would perform—we simply focused on doing our best. Unexpectedly, in our first National Games, I didn’t perform well, but Brother Dong excelled. He broke multiple world records and won two gold medals. Coaches and athletes from other provinces, even seasoned veterans, were stunned. They wondered, “How could such a talented athlete suddenly appear in Beijing?” At the time, I wasn’t as skilled, but having someone like Brother Dong by my side gave me a role model to look up to. Sometimes, it feels like certain events are guided by fate. Thanks to that competition, both of us had the opportunity to join the national team, step onto a larger stage, and compete against even more outstanding athletes. When we participated in the World Championships for the first time in 2007, Brother Dong became the first Chinese male world champion in archery. At that time, I hadn’t thought much about joining the national team. Looking back now, I feel that getting in and achieving some success validated my decision. But if I hadn’t achieved results, I might have wondered, “Why did I quit my job for this?” Before making the decision, I believed that I wouldn’t do too poorly and that I could achieve good results. This wasn’t arrogance—it was confidence in myself. To this day, I believe that having a clear understanding of oneself is especially important. Knowing what you’re good at and what you’re not is crucial for personal growth.    After Having a Baby, the Dream Continues By 2012, I had already competed in two Paralympic Games—Beijing in 2008 and London in 2012. At 32 years old, I had achieved great results, including an Olympic gold medal and a world championship. It felt like the right time to start planning for my family. So in 2012, we bought a house in Beijing. After buying the house, we decided to have a baby, and everything went smoothly. However, as a mother, I felt I might not be a very good one because I returned to training just four months after giving birth. At that time, I wanted to push myself further. I was 33 or 34 years old and eager to compete in Rio in 2016, so I trained hard. But I didn’t recover well postpartum and felt I had already given my all. I earned a quota spot for the Chinese team in Rio, but due to changes in that cycle and the need to train new athletes, I couldn’t participate. At that point, I thought I’d retire after Rio. In my heart, I still loved archery and held onto a small dream to keep trying. During training and competitions, I was always worried because my mother-in-law was taking care of my child. Many people criticized me, saying, “You’ve already had a child. Why aren’t you staying home to take care of them? Why are you still out there practicing?” They believed I shouldn’t have returned. But for us athletes, without formal jobs, we cherish opportunities like this to prove our worth and create value for ourselves. In the beginning, I doubted myself when people said, “You’re not spending time with your child.” I also felt I wasn’t a good mother. But later, I realized, I’m a great mother, too. Now, my child admires me. He thinks I’m amazing and gives me timely encouragement. For instance, when we swim together, and I can’t swim as well as him, he guides me, which makes me feel so proud. Just as we affirm our children, they, in turn, affirm us. When he was little and needed more of my time, I wasn’t always there. I felt I wasn’t fulfilling my role well. But there was no way to do both—I could only focus on one thing at a time. Later, during training, while trying to maintain my strength, I’d sleep in a bit, and my son would come to my door and say, “Mom, bow and arrow!” He was so funny and adorable, and those moments meant so much to me. I deeply admire my mother-in-law. Her philosophy is: “We’re a family. Everyone should focus on their responsibilities. I can take good care of your child while you focus on your work. If we each do our part, our family will only get better and better.” During training, her support gave me confidence. I thought, “If she could raise Brother Dong to be such an exceptional person, there’s no doubt she can take good care of her grandson.” Of course, my mother-in-law’s background in early childhood education reassured me as well. She’s also someone who loves learning and embodies the idea of ‘living and learning.’   One Must Have Love Because my parents divorced when I was young, I rarely had the chance to call someone “mom.” When I got married, I called my mother-in-law by her title, but she said, “You should call me Mom instead.” Even then, I couldn’t bring myself to say it. It felt like I didn’t have the concept of a mother. When I was very young, in the winter, my classmates all had gloves, but I didn’t. At that time, I used a crutch made of iron, and my hands would turn red from the cold. One of my classmates’ mothers noticed this and knitted a pair of gloves for me. So you see, I wasn’t lacking in love. Back then, I thought, ‘It’s as if my own mother knitted them for me.’ But in my heart, I felt deeply for my father. I thought he had it particularly hard, but he never said anything. He never told me about his struggles. My father wasn’t good at expressing himself, and I’m not very good at expressing my feelings either. For me, a very important life lesson is this: One must have love! And beyond that, one must have a passion for something and hold oneself to a high standard. It can be said that archery made me who I am, but the effort and determination I poured into this journey also shaped me. I hope to always guard my original intention, to remain content, and to keep an open and inclusive attitude toward myself and others. When it comes to my personality, I think I was born this way. As a child, I didn’t understand much and hadn’t experienced a lot, but I was clear about certain things. For example, when my parents divorced, my teacher told me, “Don’t let your mother leave. If she goes, your family won’t be complete. You have to cry, hold onto her, and not let her go.” I replied, “Why not let her go? They argue every day. Isn’t it better for them to be apart?” The teacher was stunned and said, ‘This child is simply unbelievable.’ I didn’t think I was wrong. I just thought, “That’s how it is.” When people saw me as a child, they would say, “Poor little girl.” But I would respond, “I’m not pitiful. I lost my leg, but look, I can do everything now.” As a kid, I even played jump rope and climbed onto rooftops with my classmates. (Laughter)   - End -

GMI was awarded "Friend of Africa" by Appreciate Africa Network, 2025 The Journey with Africa The Friend of Africa Award is an unexpected gift for 2025, but not unreasonable. My journey with Africa began in 2015, when I was working for an international organization and had to travel to Nairobi, Kenya for the job. The nearly 20-hour flight from Beijing was exhausting and unsettling (I had read a lot of safety tips for Nairobi before leaving) . But when I first got a birdview of Africa from the airplane, the continent hit me hard. Although the infrastructure is yet well built, but to retain the natural purity of the landscape, the worship from my heart naturally emerged.   In the years that followed, I were fortunate enough to go to the University of Hong Kong, where Sammy and I were classmates, and I heard a lot of stories and ideas about her, her country, and the African continent, which prompted me to reflect on the mainstream international development perspective of poverty alleviation and intellectual empowerment, and start to think of a new development perspective of putting people first and learning from local culture and knowlege. I am very confident in the innate wisdom and development capacity of the African people themselves, which might be summed up in the concept of“Africa for Africa”. The best and earliest support is not massive funding or technology coverage, but a simple act of respect and acknowledgement, listening to the inner voices and development needs of the African people themselves.   Dr. Samantha, a mother of two, who raised up her two children on her own, said: “My son graduated from university in China and now is working in Thailand, while my daughter has returned to Zimbabwe to continue her studies.” She has been using her savings, efforts, diligence and continuous accumulation of social resources and support, adhering to the concept of “Appreciate Africa” and“Pride of Africa”, carried out various forms of creative and innovative events year after year in China, to reach out every African people in China, and every international friend who are connected with her, wherever she goes.   I sincerely admire her courage, especially her indomitable spirit, and her uncompromising vision.   Her vision and actions have also been inspiring to me, and motivate me to strengthen my commitment to the mission of investing women and empowering mothers without borders, in another word, closing the gender gap for every women and every mother through #GlobalMoms 's ecosystematic efforts.   Thanks again to the Appreciate Africa Network (AAN) for its acknowledgement of the GlobalMoms Initiative (GMI) and myself's goodwill to her and to African people, I was so honored to witness AAN founder Dr. Samantha's year-to-year efforts to repeatedly pull herself out of the mud and find inspiration and creative ideas from a lack of resources, to further her mission unwaveringly. After the event, I sent my message to Dr. Samantha: “Dear Sammy, you are the most resilient person I have seen in my own experience, and you made it happen again and again, you deserve the best. Cheers and thank you most sincerely. ”   Jane, 2025.06.29

photo / canva.cn Written by Margaret Nie English Translated by Qiran Zhang Qingming has passed, marking a full year since my father-in-law left us. Over these twelve months, my mother-in-law has tended the family’s ten acres of tea fields all on her own. In early spring, the buds begin to stir—tiny flecks of green pushing out with quiet urgency. As the days warm, they seem almost eager to burst forth. When the harvest outpaces her hands, she hires help. Here in Zunyi, Guizhou—famous not just for Maotai but for its sprawling tea terraces—the rich soil and layered hills gift the leaves with selenium and zinc, making them especially prized. For someone like me, born on flatlands, the sight of mist rising over ridged hills, each row of tea tracing the mountain’s curve, is something close to breathtaking. Guizhou is indeed a place of rare beauty—a place that calms the soul. But picking tea here is no gentle pastime. Each tender bud, no larger than a fingernail, must be plucked one by one, by hand. It takes keen eyes, swift fingers, shoulders that don’t tire, a back that bends without complaint, and legs steady enough to climb and crouch for hours on the slope. Of all the harvests, the pre-Qingming “rain tea” is the most cherished. Delicate and fragrant, it is so prized that it often sells itself. Each morning, as the sky begins to lighten, my mother-in-law sets off with her bamboo basket on her back. The dew has yet to dry, and the tea leaves are at their freshest. She returns with a full load, heads straight to the collection station to sell it, then rushes home for a quick breakfast. After a short rest, she’s out again, back among the rows of green. In my eyes, she’s always been quick and capable. It’s been fifteen years since I first met her, and now, at seventy-three, her mind and body are still sharp, her movements nimble. I truly admire her—so full of spirit and strength. I also feel fortunate; not many women her age is still this healthy, still this devoted to work. Fifteen years ago, during the Spring Festival, I visited my future husband’s home for the first time. It was also my first step into a mountain village tucked deep in the heart of Guizhou, remote and quiet, unlike any place I had ever known. Back then, travel wasn’t as easy as it is now—it took two days and a night, switching from plane to train to bus, each more tiring than the last. By the time we finally arrived, dusk had already settled over the mountains. My mother-in-law had prepared dinner: some meat, sausage, and a few vegetables, all laid out in small, mismatched bowls, their edges chipped with age. Where I come from, guests are welcomed with grand platters and a show of abundance. So, I couldn’t help feeling a bit disappointed—this was my first visit, after all, and I was soon to be her daughter-in-law. That night, I didn’t dare call home. I knew the moment when I opened my mouth, the tears would come. Much of that trip has blurred with time, but one moment remains vivid. As we were leaving, my mother-in-law and sister-in-law filled our bags with smoked sausage, bacon, and dried chili peppers from their own pantry. I remember thinking—this home may have little, but they gave us everything they had. Their kindness was simple, wholehearted, and without reserve. Because of that, I chose to forget the pigpen just beside the toilet, or the fact that no one bathed the entire week we were there. I told myself—it’s fine. They won’t interfere in my life. I’d just come back once or twice a year, stay for a week, like a short, rustic holiday. Looking back now, I was—by all accounts—too young, too naive. I didn’t understand then that marriage isn’t just a bond between two people, but a quiet merging of two entire families. By the time I came to that realization, it was already too late. Our son was nearly one when my father’s health began to fail. He insisted on returning to his hometown, and my mother went with him to care for him. With both my husband and I working full-time, we had no choice but to ask my in-laws to help with the baby. From the moment they moved into our small home and our lives began to overlap, the differences between us, once easy to overlook, became impossible to ignore. Most of the tension centered around how to care for the child: what to feed, how to bathe him, when to give medicine. We disagreed on everything. And slowly, the cracks began to show. The conflicts were constant, draining me in ways I hadn’t expected. My in-laws were resentful; I was sinking into a quiet kind of despair. Life felt heavy, joyless. The early glow of new motherhood had faded entirely, leaving only fatigue and frustration in its place. There were no dramatic blowups—just the steady accumulation of small things. Should the baby be bathed every day? Should bottles be sterilized? Should we medicate at the first sign of a fever? I believed in evidence-based parenting. My in-laws, however, were convinced that daily baths would wash away a baby’s natural defenses and lead to illness. Where they came from, going an entire winter month without bathing was nothing unusual. So when our son caught a cold, they pointed fingers at me. I, in turn, blamed them for giving him fever medicine without understanding what caused the fever. We mistrusted each other, spoke past one another, and took turns complaining to my husband. He, caught in between, made things worse—passing along messages instead of helping us find common ground. Bit by bit, the tension snowballed. Fortunately, neither of us is the type to hold onto anger for long. After each argument, we’d cool down, exchange apologies, and carry on. Then life offered us an unexpected pause—my husband was transferred overseas, and I followed, stepping into the role of a full-time mother abroad for three years. Distance, as they say, softens the edges. With an ocean between us and the past tension, things slowly eased. Even when my mother-in-law occasionally hinted—or outright urged—us to have a second child, I gently but firmly declined. She would sigh, but let it go. The truth was, the weight of pregnancy and parenting had already worn me down. I couldn’t imagine walking that path a second time. Yes, another child might mean a lifelong companion. But it also means twice the responsibility and twice the weight, especially in a city where time is limited, housing is tight, and education comes with a heavy price tag. By the time we returned home, I was already past thirty-five, struggling to find my footing in the workforce again. My mother-in-law, citing my father-in-law’s declining health, refused to help this time. With no other option, I turned to my own parents, coaxing and pleading until they finally agreed to come care for the child so I could keep my job and stay afloat. Thankfully, my father’s condition has remained stable, which has allowed my mother to step in and support us. Whether it’s her or my mother-in-law, both have shouldered enormous responsibilities in their later years—giving far more than they should have had to. As for my father and father-in-law, all we can really hope for is that they’re able to take care of themselves. I’ve come to see that as women grow older, their strength in managing a household and raising children often becomes more pronounced—it quietly gives them the upper hand at home. Older men, by contrast, seem to grow more reliant on their wives. Perhaps it’s just biology. From the moment I met my father-in-law, he was already dependent on medication, his health always fragile. Maybe it was due to limited access to proper healthcare in the remote mountains of Guizhou. There, people still turn to herbs and folk remedies passed down through generations. But I’ve always been wary of such treatments. I remember once, he insisted that carp soup could cure a cough and gave some to my one-year-old son. Not long after, my son broke out in hives, his tiny face swelling like a balloon. They had simply forgotten how delicate a child’s digestive and immune systems still are. In the second lunar month of 2024, my father-in-law passed away after a stroke, the result of his steadily failing organs. Just a month earlier, during the New Year, we had gone to visit him. He had ventured into the mountains to gather wild Ganoderma mushrooms, and sent us home with bags of them, saying they’d make a nourishing soup. A few weeks later, just before his 74th birthday, he quietly left this world. At the time, only my mother-in-law was by his side. She called us home with a steady voice, asking us to return and take care of the funeral. For the first time, my husband and I stepped into the role of hosts. My mother-in-law, though newly widowed, guided us through every detail—welcoming guests, preparing offerings, observing the old rites. She stayed composed throughout, her strength never wavering. That night, as I struggled to stay awake during the vigil, she remained alert and tireless. When we gently urged her to rest, she simply shook her head and said, “I’m not sleepy at all.” After the funeral, we asked her to come live with us in the city. She shook her head without hesitation. “The spring tea is about to sprout,” she said simply. “If I leave, who will look after the house?” Her words tugged at something deep in me. A woman in her seventies—slight, alone, tucked away in the mountains—yet her heart seemed forged from steel. I asked gently, “Aren’t you afraid? The woods are thick, the nights pitch black, and the nearest neighbor is far. Don’t you ever feel lonely?” She looked at me with calm eyes and said, “What is there to fear? I like the quiet.” Our son loves to tease her, calling her a “big eater.” Every year when we return for the New Year, she cooks non-stop, one dish barely finished before the next appears. And if we can’t finish, she does, happily. Her appetite is impressive, her energy even more so. She never seems to tire. All I hope is that she stays healthy, that she continues to eat well, sleep soundly, and live with the same quiet strength. Because as long as she’s well, we will always have a reason to return to Guizhou. There will always be a light on, waiting for us in those mist-covered hills.