Our Story

If there were a story of humble and unassuming beginnings, it is the story of Asian Aid. Asian Aid’s story all began with a woman named Maisie Fook who responded to children in need. Today, 56 years on, Asian Aid continues Maisie’s mission. As a Child Focused Organisation, we aim to strengthen the capacity of families and communities to protect, nurture and support their children and young people as they grow and develop.

“We were directed by God – the whole thing was God directed,” says Norman Long, who served as voluntary president for Asian Aid for 38 years.

As brother-in-law to Asian Aid founder Maisie Fook, Norman saw first hand the experiences that led to the writing of the Asian Aid story.

1966-1975

In 1966, after returning from Seoul in South Korea with her two adopted children, Maisie felt inspired to do more for the orphaned children she had met. With help from husband Dennis, and the Long and Hon families, Maisie registered Asian Aid to get the shipping concessions needed to send warm clothes, patchwork quilts and rugs to South Korea. And with a budget of just two thousand dollars, and no paid staff, Asian Aid was officially established – as a pure act of faith. And the word about the work began to spread. In 1968, Helen Eager joined as a volunteer, and has been involved in Asian Aid’s work ever since.

1976-1985

In 1977, Asian Aid began serving in Bangladesh where they helped save and establish schools and create sponsorships for children. Over the next ten years, operations diversified and the agency took on more schools in India and Bangladesh, started supporting Sunshine and Elim homes, and began sponsoring Nepali children in Indian schools.

1986-1995

This decade saw a steady increase of income, progress and change, as a result of hard work, frequent fundraisers and promotions. By 1987, Asian Aid was sponsoring 3,680 children from India, Bangladesh, Korea, Nepal and Pakistan. By 1989, when Maisie Fook retired, the whole operation of Asian Aid Organisation shifted to an office in Wauchope. Here, Kerryn Patrick, became Asian Aid’s first paid employee, guided by Helen Eager, who oversaw the whole of the operation, continuing on a volunteer basis.

1996-2005

This decade saw Asian Aid expand its operations to include schools for children with vision and hearing impairments, leper colonies, and health clinics for women in rural Nepal. Asian Aid also helped establish Zenith Academy in Nepal, and in 2002 became recognised as an independent ministry supportive of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. During this decade, Asian Aid also employed its first Chief Executive Officer Sharon Heise, and sadly paid tribute to founder Maisie Fook, who passed away in 2002.

2006-2015

This decade saw Asian Aid’s work extend into Sri Lanka, Indonesia and Thailand. With increased overseas partnerships, a dedicated supporter base, and committed staff and Board members, the quality and diversity of work expanded significantly – reaching over 44,300 people.

2016

Since 2016, we have continued to focus on creating a holistic approach to education so children can flourish in school and faith. This reaches beyond education to helping families and communities improve their health, happiness and financial prospects. We began rolling programs like the WHED project and our community project in Bangladesh out into new communities to keep creating sustainable positive change. These programs will provide opportunities for parents to increase their household income through micro business opportunities, improving health through growing vegetables, learning better farming techniques, having access to fresh water for drinking and irrigation.

2021

In 2021 we were excited to celebrate our 55th anniversary.

As we continue to teach children in our schools, we look forward to growing their communities alongside them.

Remaining true to our values and mission, Asian Aid looks forward to partnering with you to continue creating stories of hope and transformation – through Child Sponsorship and meeting some of the most pressing needs with which we are confronted.

*Asian Aid would like to acknowledge and thank Dr Robyn Priestley for volunteering to collate this information.