Mr. Chung To is founder and chairperson of Chi Heng Foundation, a charitable organization founded in 1998 in Hong Kong, China. Utilizing innovative and pragmatic approaches, Chi Heng has excelled in education and care for children orphaned by AIDS and HIV prevention among vulnerable groups.
Over the past twenty years, Chung worked tirelessly in Central China for children orphaned by AIDS, whose parents contracted the virus via unsanitary blood trade in the 1990s. Despite political sensitivity and other difficulties, Chung developed a systematic and sustainable program which currently sponsors the education and care for currently over 9,000 children and cumulatively over 20,000 children whose parents have died of or are dying of AIDS in twelve provinces in China. Viewed by many as a best practice model of its kind, the program has become the largest non-governmental effort focusing on helping children impacted by AIDS in China (www.chfaidsorphans.com).
In addition to its direct service programs serving AIDS-impacted children and other vulnerable groups, Chi Heng has also raised significant awareness of AIDS in the public through organizing exhibitions, launching media campaigns and giving talks in universities. Named as “Ten Future Leaders of China” by People Magazine and “Ten Model Citizens in China” by Phoenix TV, Chung has been a visionary leader in the NGO field, contributing to the development of civil society in China through constructive dialogue with government leaders. Chi Heng’s program has been personally visited by supporters like President Bill Clinton and Yao Ming, and has received support from numerous organizations, such as UNESCO, The Global Fund, The Clinton Foundation, The Asia Foundation, etc. Chi Heng was the recipient of the inaugural “Public Service Award” from the Asia Society in 2006.
Prior to moving to Hong Kong in 1995, Chung resided in the United States for 13 years, where he received a bachelor’s degree at Columbia University and a master’s degree at Harvard University. Before taking his sabbatical to work full time for Chi Heng on a pro bono basis, Chung worked in investment banking in New York and Hong Kong for ten years, including working in corporate and project finance with Lehman Brothers and UBS. In addition to his involvement with Chi Heng, Chung also was a Board member of AIDS Concern for four years, including serving as Chairperson of the Board in 2003. Since 1999, Chung has been a member of the Hong Kong Advisory Council on AIDS (HKACA) appointed by the Hong Kong Government.
Chung was featured as “Ten Anti-AIDS Heroes in China” in 2004 by People Weekly Magazine in China, and as “Ten Most Touching Persons” in 2005 by China Charitable Foundation. He was a recipient of “Ten Outstanding Young Persons” of Hong Kong in 2003 and of the World in 2006. Chung has received numerous awards, including “AIDS in Hong Kong for 20 years: Ten Most Inspiring Persons Award” in 2004, “Rotary Club Centennial Service Award for Professional Excellence” in 2005, the “Ramon Magsaysay Award”, Hong Kong’s First “Humanity Award” in 2007 and the BNP Paribas Philanthropy awards in 2009.