Our Mission

HELP (Human and Environment Linkage Programme) is an international non-profit organization focusing on community-based environmental and biodiversity conservation. We believe that human beings and the environment are tightly interdependent, and we put all efforts on improving the conditions of both the human and natural systems in ecologically fragile areas and enhancing the environmental awareness of the public. We work towards the harmony of human-nature symbiosis by discovering and implementing efficient and effective conservation strategies.

How does HELP work?

The major area we are working on thus far is the world-famous Wolong Nature Reserve for Giant Pandas located in Sichuan, China. Wolong is home to about 4500 people, 80% of whom are Tibetan and Qiang minorities. Wolong also hosts the largest wild giant panda population (c.a. 150 individuals) and the largest panda breeding program with over 60% of the world’s total in-captive pandas (c.a. 130 individuals). Each year since 2004, the HELP founders Wei Liu with HELP member Vanessa Hull spend up to eight months in Wolong. HELP has established a close connection with the local government, villages, panda research and breeding center, and local schools.  Knowing the exact needs of the Wolong residents, HELP will use the donations to directly satisfy those needs.

Why is HELP unique?

A primary goal of HELP is to raise funds and use them to improve educational and health-care conditions in destitute areas. Compared to many non-profit organizations serving this purpose, we believe we have several clear advantages:

First, we have scientific researchers who have spent several years studying human-environment interactions in these areas. They have worked extensively with local teachers, officers and village leaders to help the local education and health system. Their decisions to use the funds are likely to be rational and meaningful.

Second, all participants are volunteers. Members of HELP come from different backgrounds, including ecology, biomedical science, economics, environmental engineering, IT, and public media communication, etc. We make sure that almost every penny will be used for the ultimate purposes. The use of funds is very efficient.

Third, there are several parties involved in this process (the researchers and the local committee formed by residents in Wolong). We make sure our use of funds is transparent. The donors will get a detailed report on how the money is spent in helping the locals.

HELP’s prior programs

In the summer of 2006, HELP bought over 500 books, dictionaries, and maps and 55 backpacks for students from four remote primary schools in Wolong Nature Reserve.

Since 2006, HELP has started its cross-year fund-raising activity to help local people in Wolong Nature Reserve improve their education and health conditions, named HELP-Wolong. This project is fully supported by the local government.

In 2007, HELP spent thousands dollars on books and room and board for 15 primary school students ($70 each per year) and 10 middle and high school students ($140 each per year). HELP also expanded libraries and subscribed to teaching and studying magazines and newspapers for local schools (about $1200 each) in Wolong.

In 2007, HELP-Wolong Local Search Committee, headed by the curator of the Chinese Wolong Giant Panda Museum, Mr. Jian Yang, and five other local government employees and residents, was formed to identify the students most in need of economic support from HELP in 2008.

HELP’s current priority:  - Emergency call for action on the earthquake relief and homeland reconstruction in Wolong Nature Reserve, Sichuan, China

Since the recent 8.0 magnitude earthquake in Sichuan, China (epicenter right on the eastern border of the reserve), HELP takes the relief and reconstruction from the earthquake as its highest priority. Please view details in the HELP - Wolong SOS page.