Mr. Siu, the CEO of Lafayette 148 New York, returned home to Shantou, China several years ago to oversee the company's operations and manufacturing there. He was speaking to an employee one day and was saddened to learn that the employee's 18-year-old son could not read or write because he had never received basic schooling.

Mr. Siu was disheartened to learn that many children did not have the right or monetary resources to a basic education. Traditionally, a child who is born into a family that is currently living in Shantou but originally from another province, does not have the right to a public education in Shantou.

This outraged Mr. Siu and triggered an unexpected idea, "What if I started a school?"

Mr. Siu's lack of experience in education did not stop him from pressing on. Tapping into his business acumen, Mr. Siu decided to first find a school that shared his vision: a commitment to improving children's education.

Far removed from Shantou's affluent neighborhoods, Mr. Siu discovered a small school adjacent to a local pig farm. Established some 10 years prior, the school's attitude about education was both humble and passionate. Mr. Siu realized his calling as he stared into the eager, smiling faces of the students. Soon after, in August 2007, Mr. Siu acquired the school and appropriately renamed it the School of Dreams.

"It is a place to encourage and empower the children to pursue their dreams", says Mr. Siu of the selected name.

Again, drawing on his business expertise, Mr. Siu immediately began revamping the school's infrastructure as he would an underperforming business, stating "If you have quality on the inside it will reflect everywhere else." True to his word, Mr. Siu personally ensured that every instructor at the school had the qualifications and enthusiasm to teach, but more importantly shared his commitment to education. He even added two American teachers from California to the school staff.

The impact of Mr. Siu's involvement can be seen everywhere. Since he obtained the school, it has experienced a tremendous surge in popularity, which caused it to quickly outgrow its original space. Mr. Siu rented a warehouse and converted it into a school facility to accommodate the growing number of students. He incorporated aspects of the American education experience into the new schoolhouse, such as a library, music room, computer room, and a safe physical education environment.With the school in close proximity to the Lafayette 148 production facility, Mr. Siu is able to personally monitor the school and check in on the students.

"The school is part of the Lafayette family - the children tug at our hearts with their enthusiasm for learning and their huge smiles", says Mr. Siu.The school is a source of pride and joy for the entire company. Lafayette 148 employees frequently visit Shantou on business and always have the School of Dreams on their itinerary.

Even Lafayette 148's Designer, Edward Wilkerson, visits the classes and spends time with the children when he's in Shantou. Edward provides a real inspiration for the students and encourages them to follow their dreams--believe in themselves the way he did, so they can be whatever they choose to be.

Currently, the school boasts 280 students ranging from preschool through the sixth grade. Unlike most schools in Shantou, the School of Dreams does not discriminate based on wealth or background. All children in the community are welcome, many of them extremely poor, with less than 10% of the students' parents working for Lafayette 148. The children's uniforms are provided free of charge by Lafayette 148, as are free meals for preschoolers through first graders--to ensure they are properly nourished.

It is Mr. Siu's hope that enough money can be raised to move forward with plans to construct a new, improved facility, allowing even more children pursue their dreams.