Over a 24-year timeline of dedicated service, collaboration, and giving back, the Mary K Yap Foundation has partnered with 100+ orphanages across Asia Pacific and Africa, introducing impactful programs to advance the well-being of needy orphan children.
MARCH 23, 2025
MARCH 12, 2025
December 28, 2024
December 27, 2024
December 22, 2024
December 19, 2024
December 10, 2024
December 04, 2024
December 03, 2024 - Yangon, Myanmar - We are delighted to share that a private screening of our Movie for Charity was held at Mega Ace Cinema, hosted by the Mary K. Yap Foundation in collaboration with Mandalay Productions. This special event brought together members of the diplomatic and NGO communities for an evening of purpose, storytelling, and solidarity. We extend our heartfelt thanks to all who attended and supported our mission to uplift orphaned children in Myanmar. Your presence reaffirms the power of compassion—and the impact we can make when we come together for a noble cause. Read More +
December 01, 2024 - Bahan, Yangon, Myanmar - We are pleased to share details about a second special event: the Charity Bazaar at St. Augustine Catholic Church, taking place this Sweet December. This heartfelt gathering brings together church members, community leaders, and friends from Embassies and NGOs in a united spirit of giving. At this meaningful occasion, the Foundation is honored to promote the upcoming release of our charity film—a powerful initiative dedicated to supporting the growth and future of orphaned children in Myanmar. We are grateful for the opportunity to stand alongside compassionate partners in advancing this vital cause. Read More+
November 24, 2024
October 19, 2024 - Santa Clara, CA, USA – In a moving display of unity and compassion, Foundation Founder Mary K. Yap and devoted patrons from the Burmese American Catholic Fellowship (BACF) —under the Archdiocese of San Francisco and led by Father Rick Vandewater—graced the California premiere of Unbroken Ties, a powerful charity film dedicated to bringing hope and support to orphaned children in Myanmar. See More +
October 06, 2024 - Los Angeles, CA, USA – In a decisive moment of unity and purpose, Unbroken Ties—the Hope for All Orphans charity film, supported by the Foundation —was proudly represented at the 15th Awareness International Film Festival by Director Graham Streeter, Producer Alex Lebosq, and Supporting Actress Chrissy Aung, who stood together in front of the film’s poster, honoring the story’s message and the orphaned children it supports around the world. See More +
September 27, 2024 - Taungoo, Yangon, Myanmar - Here is a joyous photo capturing the program management team warmly embracing orphaned children as they stepped forward from the very heart of resilience—emerging from the storm-battered halls of Sacred Heart Church, where hope was rekindled in every shared moment on the church compound grounds, just weeks after the September month’s devastation of Typhoon Yagi.
September 26, 2024 - Taungoo, Myanmar – In the wake of Typhoon Yagi, our Orphanage Ambassador, MeMe Lwin, and dedicated in-country volunteers swiftly mobilized to the hardest-hit orphanages, delivering urgent relief and standing in solidarity with the children in their time of greatest need. Read More +
September 10, 2024 - Kota Kinabalu, Borneo, Malaysia – As part of the 15th year of the Kota Kinabalu International Film Festival (KKIFF), the Mary K Yap Foundation, in partnership with Mandalay Productions (USA), proudly presented the Asian premiere of Unbroken Ties, a powerful charity film dedicated to advancing hope and opportunity for orphaned children. Read More +
August 25, 2024 - Bahan, Yangon, Myanmar – During a one-day charity bazaar filled with community spirit, compassion, and purpose, the Foundation proudly hosted a booth at St. Augustine Catholic Church to welcome volunteers committed to supporting orphanages through our ongoing social development programs. Read More +
August 05, 2024 - Yangon, Myanmar – The Articles for the Myanmar Orphan Children Association (MOCA) are in final discussion to establish a dedicated local association, with the Foundation set to serve as a founding member alongside local and international directors, uniting efforts to champion the well-being of orphanages and accelerate hope for all orphan initiatives.
June 16, 2024 - Accra, Ghana – The Foundation’s Orphanage Ambassador, Nana Danny Mainoo, graciously chose to celebrate his birthday by giving back to the orphanage at the Royal Seed Home he has long supported, reaffirming his heartfelt commitment to the well-being of vulnerable children and the spirit of compassionate leadership.
April 05, 2024 - San Francisco, USA – Launching in 2025, H20Hope Campaign is the Foundation’s newest initiative focused on delivering clean water, hygiene education, and sustainable infrastructure to orphanages in need, advancing our mission to build healthier futures for vulnerable children. Read More +
March 04, 2024 - Twantay Township, Myanmar – On his first visit to the Golden Land of Myanmar, Dr. Jean-Luc Kouyoumji spent meaningful time with the children of Ebenezer Compassion Association, bringing heartfelt engagement while also sharing the Foundation’s upcoming #H20Hope Clean Water Campaign with the caretaker, strengthening our shared commitment to well-being and sustainable support. Read More +
February 16, 2024 – Mahachai, Samutsakorn, Thailand – The Mary K. Yap Foundation and Labor Protection Network (LPN) discussed a potential partnership to support Burmese orphan children near the Thai-Myanmar border. Photo (R to L): Bheemkhet B, Peter K Yap, Sompong Srakaew (LPN Founder & ED), Akkapon Purnanasamriddhi (G2D CEO), Daw Meme Lwin (Program Manager, Mary K Yap Foundation).
February 14, 2024 - San Francisco, CA - Launching a unified movement to uplift orphaned children, the Nine Campaigns initiative spans educational access (#Each1TeachOne, #H.S.Diploma, #Road2Digital), social nourishment (#NourishHope, #TeddyBear4Hold), and upcoming 2025 efforts for clean water, sustainable gardens, and vaccinations (#H20Hope, #FirstSeed, #LifeLine). Read More +
January 02, 2024 - Thanlyin, Yangon, Myanmar - On New Year’s 2024, we celebrated with 50 children from vulnerable families at St. Francis Xavier Church in Thanlyin, sharing joy, music, and hope—thanks to the enduring support of Father Nyan Myint. Read More +
December 25, 2023 -
Yangon, Myanmar – We celebrated the festive season with the 'Little Chefs Cookout Festival' at St. Francis Xavier Church in Thanlyin, where, alongside Chief Chef Ma Lay and 16 volunteers, Foundation Orphanage Ambassador Meme Lwin helped inspire 40 children to explore the culinary world and dream of becoming future chefs. Read More +
August 04, 2023 - San Francisco, USA – #FirstSeed Campaign is the Foundation’s bold step toward empowering orphanages with sustainable gardening practices, enabling them to grow their crops and support daily nourishment with dignity and self-reliance. Read More +
April 15, 2023 - Accra, Ghana - Afro dancing is an unique talent shared by two Ghanaian grown up orphan girls from the Royal Seed Home with our Orphanage Ambassador, Nana Danny Mainoo. The two of girls graduated from a vocational school and dream of becoming future entertainers.
April 15, 2023 - Peter K. Yap, Executive Director together with Ghanaian Orphanage Ambassador, Danny Mainoo visit the Orphanage in Kwaboanta, Ghana which has been operating for 20 years with the goal of building the country's first E-Learning Center for 100 orphaned children.
April 7, 2023 - First Zoom Discussion with Board Member Jean-Luc Kouyoumji, Executive Director Peter K. Yap, Program Manager Meme Lwin and Architect Julien Barchi' to discuss various options for the development of E-Learning Children Center for Orphanages in Myanmar using country's abundant supply of bamboo materials.
February 19, 2023 - Program Manager, Meme Lwin visits Thailand to seek collaboration with the Islamic Center that houses Muslim orphans in Bangkok.
July 24, 2022 - Our Program Manager, Meme Lwin with the help of seven community volunteers spent a day with children. You can read more about the event by clicking here. Read More +
July 21, 2022, Yangon, Myanmar - Foundation receives an endorsement letter from the Roman Catholic Church of Myanmar, personally acknowledged by His Grace Cardinal Charles Bo for “A Hope for All Orphans’ Movie for a Charity” project for the benefit of Orphanages throughout Myanmar. Read More +
May 22, 2022, Cannes France - Dr. Jean Luc Kouyoumji, Foundation's Board Member, and his wife, Josephine visited Cannes in preparation for the promotion of the Foundation's first Movie for the Charity project. Read More +
April 22, 2022 - The Board discussed impactful plans for the next 5 years to bring innovative E-Learning Centers in collaboration with private sector partnerships.
March 23, 2022 - Yangon, Myanmar Foundation’s Film partner Mandalay Productions received the country’s final approval from Myanmar’s censorship board. The certificate of allow our organization and film partner the permission and clearance to release our first charity film titled, “Myittar.”
March 06, 2022 - Bangkok, Thailand - Foundation’s film partner, Mandalay Production LLC, completed the final post production edits that included Dolby 7.1 sound integration, subtitling, and DCP. The proceeds from the film tickets and sales from streaming services are dedicated to support our organizational programs and empowerment goals for the benefit of orphanage communities.
December 31, 2021, Dale Township, Yangon Region - this orphanage has a small garden area sufficient to grow daily essentials to keep the orphanage compound self-sustaining. Read More+
August 7, 2021 - We celebrate the life of Mr Edward Thaung who served as a board member for the Foundation from 2017 to 2021. Mr Thaung was a valuable member of the board responsible for providing the organization with legal advise on all regulatory affairs and compliance matters in Myanmar. Read More+
June 4, 2020 - Shawpyithar, Yangon. Pastor Saw provides a shelter and food to 33 children of which 15 of whom are orphans who are young as 4 years old to 16 years old.
March 2, 2019 - Board Member, Dr. John Palmer, and Executive Producer Peter K. Yap were joined by the cast and crew members, Htun Eindra Bo, Gin Mung, May Maung, and Meme Lwin (script supervisor). Read More +
August 2019
July 2, 2019
December 22, 2018 - Hmawbi Yangon Celebration get-together with a local orphanage for a full day filled with smiles and laughs
July 17, 2017 - a fundraising event to raise funds for the 3 high school orphan candidates to support them with their high school studies. The community came together to support the cause of orphanage children who are in their last three years of high school. Food donors, music, and onstage children's performance were part of the fundraising activities that brought together more than 400 friends and family members.
August 4, 2017 - The Executive Director led by Peter K. Yap and volunteering staff Wai Wai visited an Orphanage that has been around for decades in the Central location of Myanmar (200 km away from the Federal Capital Naypydaw. Donation items including Cash Donations, Food, Clothing, Books, and Blankets were given to 250 orphan children as young as several weeks and months old.
December 25, 2017 - Over 200 children received Christmas presents and their favorite stuffed animals from Steve Wagenseller, our Santa Claus for the year. Our team was also joined by Academy Award winner, Auntie Shwe Zin Htaike and Anna Red (Famou Lady DJ from Austria) to help us celebrate a joyous occasion .
July 9, 2016 - Auntie Mary proudly presented the funds donated by friends and family of the San Francisco Burmese Community. The funds are dedicated to the educational advancement and social well-being of the orphan community. The church houses 30 orphan children from the conflict-affected area in Rakhine where the children are looked after by the Roman Catholic church.
April 8, 2016 - managed by Saya Lay Daw Wunna Thiri who is responsible for the social well-being of more than 230 children. The distribution of funds was graciously carried out by Auntie Mary, Zin Malar, and Ko Joseph who welcomed Saya Lay at the Foundation Project Offices in Yangon.
December 2016 - On top of our regular fun game activities, our Orphanage ambassador Meme read stories in small groups on the importance of reading and how the knowledge gained from books will help spark a creative interest leading to a better future. Chicken rice plates, refreshments, and desserts were also served.
(2015) - Foundation will launch two of the goals to support the UN Sustainable Goals which include No Hunger and Quality Education for the orphanage communities.
June 11, 2014 - Mary K. Yap Foundation was officially registered with the charitable organization with the purpose to empower orphan children
July 20, 2013 - Daly City, California, USA. The Burmese community gathers together to stage the biggest cultural and music performances, accompanied by children of all ages, community leaders, and various local artists to raise charitable funds for orphanages in Leiktho.
July 21, 2012 - Daly City, California, USA. This organization has existed since 1920 and was founded by Mary Chapman. She bought the land and built a building to develop programs for children who are deaf. Funding was needed to continue training teachers who are assigned to help those deaf children. The school provides admission to all children despite their race and religion, including orphaned and abandoned children.
July 30, 2011 - Daly City, California, USA. Pwin Oo Lwin Township is approximately 575 KM from Yangon. The Monastery houses orphan children of all ages up to 18 years old, and provide them with basic necessities for food, education, and housing.
July 31, 2010 - Daly City, California, USA. Village Charity Fair For The Orphanage of Pangoo Village, Pathein Diocese, Kanasogone Parish, Myanmar Sponsored By San Francisco And Bay Area Donors
July 18, 2009 - Daly City, California, USA.
July 28, 2008 - Daly City, California, USA
January 14, 2007 - Mindat, Southern Chin State, Myanmar
July 29, 2006 - Daly City, California, USA
July 30, 2005 - Daly City, California, USA
August 14, 2004 - Daly City, California, USA
August 9, 2003 - Daly City, California, USA
2003 - Mandalay Hill, Mandalay Division, Myanmar.
July 27, 2002 - Daly City, California, USA
June 9, 2001 - was organized in the Little Theater, Serramonte, Daly City, CA