10Jul2025

Making a Difference Building Dreams Creating Impact Saving Lives

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Contacts

HEAD OFFICE:                          548 Market Street,
San Francisco, CA 94104         USA

PROJECT OFFICE:                  Pearl Condo, Bldg A, 15 Fl., Kabar Aye Pagoda Rd.,      Yangon, Myanmar

hello@marykyapfoundation.org

US: +1 415 991 2030                 US: +1 415 799 8282                    MM: +95 9 977 66 7777

Tag: philanthropy

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INDIVIDUAL SPOTLIGHT

Save the Children: Camilla Cabello

An electrifying Cuban singer is bringing positive change.”

Born in Cojímar, Cuba, Camila Cabello immigrated to the United States with her mother at a young age, bringing with her the dreams and determination that would one day shape her into an international pop sensation. Rising to fame as a member of the girl group Fifth Harmony and later launching a successful solo career, Cabello quickly became known not only for her powerful vocals and chart-topping hits, but also for her commitment to using her platform for meaningful change. Her journey from a young immigrant with limited resources to a global music icon is a story of courage, ambition, and heart.

Throughout her career, Camila has made it a point to stay grounded in her roots and advocate for those whose voices often go unheard. She has been a vocal supporter of immigrant rights and has spoken publicly about her own family’s struggles in pursuit of a better life. In 2018, she partnered with Save the Children, an organization focused on improving the lives of children across the globe, to help raise awareness and resources for children facing poverty, violence, and displacement. That same year, she also launched the “Healing Justice Project,” which provides mental health resources for youth activists. Her actions show a strong alignment between her personal values and her philanthropic commitments.

# Camila’s dedication to youth empowerment resonates strongly with the mission of the Mary K. Yap Foundation. Like our work with orphaned and disadvantaged children, Camila’s efforts highlight the importance of nurturing emotional well-being, creating access to education, and empowering young people to believe in their worth. Whether she’s supporting humanitarian causes or amplifying messages of self-love and resilience through her music, Camila exemplifies what it means to give back with purpose and compassion.

The Mary K. Yap Foundation is proud to feature Camila Cabello in our Individual Spotlight series, celebrating her unwavering commitment to uplifting vulnerable communities. Her voice—both as an artist and as an advocate—continues to inspire a generation to act with empathy and conviction. As we work to transform the lives of orphaned children through care, opportunity, and empowerment, we find in Camila’s journey a kindred spirit who reminds us all that change begins when we choose to care deeply and act boldly.

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CORPORATE NEWS

A Warm Tribute to Mr. Edward Thaung

The Board of Directors of the Mary K Yap Foundation would like to extend our tribute to our beloved Board member, Edward Thaung, who passed away at the age of 73 on August 7, 2021, in Yangon, Myanmar.

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Edward Thaung was a devoted Roman Catholic who stood by his religious convictions in supporting those in need.  He was always available to lend his ears and share his valuable insights and experience with anyone who asked for help.   As a faithful husband, father, grandfather, uncle, and mentor to many start-up companies, Edward Thaung touched many people with his candid personality, storytelling talents, and five decades of knowledge of the country’s regulatory and commerical affairs.

During his professional career, Edward Thaung counseled and advised many local and foreign companies on such diverse matters as company formation, taxation, investment proposals, criminal law, family law, international contracts, and dispute resolutions.   His early years of legal work included serving as a Town Law Officer, Grade (4) Public prosecutor, and Pre-trial Legal Advisor to the police department, revenue, customs department, immigration, and other government departments.  Among his notable contributions was his time as Senior Law Officer at the Attorney General’s Office (1989-1993) in coordination with other government bodies to successfully host the Rights of the Child Seminar in cooperation with UNICEF in Yangon.   He redrafted new laws in coordination with the relevant Government departmental personnel and translated Myanmar legal statutes into English.   

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From 1993 to 1995, he was the Assistant Director for Environmental Affairs ‘Office’ and attended the United Nations Environmental Program UNEP Seminar as National Ozone Officer for Myanmar.   For ten years, he held the Secretary to the Board of Directors position at Air Mandalay Limited from 1996 to 2006.  He was responsible for company compliance with the relevant laws of Myanmar as the chief legal consultant to Petronas, World Trade Center Yangon, Awba Group, and Mandalay Productions, to name a few. In addition, he was appointed as visiting university law lecturer in 1996 to teach commercial law subjects in Master of Business Administration (MBA) classes in Yangon sponsored by the Institute of Economics, Yangon.  For the past three years before his death, he served as the Chief Regulatory Officer for the KMA Group of Companies.  

The work contributed by Edward Thaung was done with the utmost integrity and professionalism on behalf of the public and private organizations he served.    Despite his busy schedule, he always found the time to give a hand to worthy organizations and individuals.   Over the three years that Edward Thaung represented our Foundation board, we benefited from his legal advice and developed our sponsored programs in Myanmar in full legal compliance.  

Our goal has always been to become a trusted partner to our donor community so that charitable funds make it to the orphanages that need the most help.   With the help of Edward Thaung, we have become a trusted partner with local communities, positioning our organization to serve all orphanages in the country. So much of the success of our empowerment programs working with Myanmar orphans would not have been possible without the dedicated and faithful help of Edward Thaung.  His passing represents a great loss to our organization and Myanmar.