Who Are We? "FIA" Faith in Action 

We are a diverse group of young professionals from all around the world. Our group began over one year ago and since then, it has expanded to include others who want to use their skills to assist the needs of Beijing's local communities, particularly children. We know we are limited in number but the needs of Beijing are not. However, we are not discouraged.  Please join alongside us in supporting the lives of the underprivileged and also become one who makes a difference through taking action. (We are all volunteers at FIA and have day-time jobs / or are full time students)

Mission Statement
"As Christians we gather together as family in Christ, in search of
truth; to encourage one another towards Faith, Love, Hope, and, Wisdom
as we come to fully understand the difference of One…"

Judy Cheung 

Born and raised in the UK, Judy currently lives in Beijing, China, and works as a technology PR consultantfor an American public relations firm. She holds a Bachelor of Arts (Honors) degree in Marketing and French from Leeds Metropolitan University and has studied in the United Kingdom, France and Beijing.  She speaks English, French, Mandarin, Cantonese and Hakka (Kejia).
 
Judy is a humanitarian enthusiast and the co-founder of ‘FIA’. She successfully initiated and led various voluntary fund-raising projects for underprivileged children in China, including Operation Bingbing and Operation Heat ‘em Up (School of Light and Love).
 
In terms of professional career, Judy has over eight years corporate and marketing communications experience in China, Hong Kong and Asia.  She previously worked with Fleishman Hillard, Sun Microsystems Hong Kong and China.com Corporation. Her current position is Account Director at Hill & Knowlton’s technology practice in China.
 
Self-described as “Bubbly, funny and out-going” (although I’m sure her friends would say otherwise), Judy is deeply passionate about life and has globe-trotted extensively.  Although she’s fulfilled many ambitions in the past, her ultimate ambition is to star in a Bollywood movie with all the glitz, glamour, razz-ma-tazz and 'grease-lightening-on-steroids' dancing.  Forever a dreamer, Judy is a self-proclaimed adventurer / risk-taker who swears by the motto "Life is a journey -- so travel it well.”
 
Other Info:

• Featured in a Cosmopolitan Magazine article titled ‘Office Friendship: Burden or Advantage?’ (China March 2006)

• Certified yoga tutor and PADI advanced scuba-diver (Hong Kong 2004)

• Experienced English language tutor - primary, secondary and business (Hong Kong 2001-04)

• Executive committee member of the International Advertising Association, Hong Kong Chapter (IAA).  Elected Vice President of Seminars (Hong Kong 1997-99)

• Freelance journalist for the bilingual newspaper The Silk Road News (UK 1997)

• Member of the Liverpool Philharmonic Senior Choir (UK 1996-7)

• Hobbies include traveling, swimming, rock climbing, dancing, musicals, theatre, movies, art (Renaissance / Constable) and intellectual bantering with friends    
  

Esther Woo (a.k.a Woo, Woolet.....anything within reason really)

Born and raised in the UK, Esther moved to Beijing, China at the end of 2005 where she now holds down a day job as a banking lawyer at UK law firm, Allen & Overy.  She would like to say that she also moonlights as something remarkably interesting - such as, international travel writer and photographer extraordinaire specialising in exploration of extreme climates.  However, that is not the case.  Instead, Esther adds depth to her life by helping out with local community projects in Beijing- currently she is assisting with Operation Bingbing and Operation Heat 'em Up.
 
Esther enjoys anything relating to travel (excluding travelling on the Beijing subway at rush hour on the blue line between andingmen and jianguomen).  She is also an avid reader and partaker of random activities (the more random the better and her achievements over the last year include tai chi chuan using swords, knitting scarves (or part of a scarf) in the sweltering Beijing summer and dog-sitting).
 
Other Info:

• Published an article on the effects of the Enterprise Act 2001 in "Hotel Report" (June 2002)

• Piano teacher to small children and adults (1993-1995)

• Selected through audition to star as Eurasian daughter in the Birkenhead Operatic Theatre production of "South Pacific" (1989) (but didn't perform as she had important exams to sit)

• Head girl of Tower College junior school (1987)
  

Cameron Wood

Cameron comes from the heartland of America but he has a worldly perspective.  He spent his formative years in Minnesota, and if he was not on stage, he was enjoying the outdoors (mostly on the golf course), studying earnestly, or unashamedly in front of the television.  Needless to say, he likes to balance his intellectual pursuits with a healthy dose of leisurely activities and cultural intake.
 
After High School Cameron put the ways of the performing arts behind him in order to pursue more lucrative and stimulating opportunities.  After spending a year at one of the most liberal schools in America, Carleton College, he transferred to one of the most conservative, Wheaton College.  The contrast in environments suited Cameron well due to his chosen major of political science.  Consequently, in his studies and during his internships he was able to look at American politics from a wide perspective.  Internships Cameron has held include the Governor's Office of Minnesota, and the White House Commission on Remembrance.
 
Currently, Cameron is striving to broaden his worldly perspective by living and working in Beijing.  He interns at ZY Partners, a Chinese trade and trademark law firm, where he practices his Chinese and English skills daily.  Ask him about the top ten English grammatical mistakes made by Chinese writers.  Sadly he could tell you.  In addition, Cameron is training for a marathon in hopes to become the Lance Armstrong of running.  He also volunteers for the Shunyi Orphanage, an incredibly satisfying experience that has benefited him as much as the orphans.
 
As far as future aspirations, Cameron wishes to be an international man of mystery, not like a secret agent, but rather the kind of person who begs the question, "what does that guy actually do?"   Perhaps lawyer, perhaps consultant, perhaps businessman, or perhaps an intern that moonlights as a 'kou rou chuanr' chef.  Who knows?

  Alvin Ma

Born and raised in Vancouver, Canada, Alvin has ancestral roots in Canada for over 100 years, with his great great grandfather helping to develop the Chinatown in Victoria, British Columbia. Now, Alvin finds himself in his fourth year living and working in Beijing, currently trying the entrepreneurial route. A trained marketer, he has also worked in the consumer electronics, international trade and public relations industries in Canada and China.

As the group "critic", he assists FIA in providing a healthy dose of realism to their discussions. He also leads a Chinese language bible study group. His biggest surprise in Beijing is winning a round trip to South America, where he spent three months traversing 5 countries, culminating in 4 day trek to Macchu Picchu in Peru, a place he describes as "a city frozen in time". An avid news junkie, he is at home in front of his laptop and a cup of home brewed coffee (which he thinks he can make better than what money can buy in Beijing) and trains his two turtles "minoue" and "minook" to do acrobatic tricks.

Other info:

• Featured in the March 2007 Cosmopolitan China issue feature title "It is So Cool to Live in China"

• Featured in The Province article titled " Destination: Family and friends" (Sunday, December 24th, 2006)

• Editor-and-Chief of the leading magazine on Canadian Business in China (2003-2006)

• Founder of the first Christian roller-hockey league in Vancouver (2001-2003)

• Trumpet player in the concert and stage bands of St. George's high school - touring Europe (Canada 1991-1996)

• Hobbies: Trumpet, art history and globetrotting (20 countries), basketball, hockey, tennis, golf, Kendo and snowboarding.

Anita Lai, born and raised in Hong Kong

“I came to Beijing in search of a perfect BJ accent of which I still have to obtain.  When I am not eating “water cooked fish”, you can find me investing in the local economy at the shopping mall.

“I’ve been working at an Australia company, Servcorp, website is www.servcorp.net, (yes, I’m shameless) for the last 6 years and am now managing the operations in Beijing and looking forward to the 10 year mark and the .75 karat diamond incentive!  Wakakakaka……”

Why did God chose Anita?

“Prior to coming to Beijing, I’ve always felt that there is a mission prepared for me somewhere and since joining FIA, although recently, I felt it is a step closer to where all these can lead to.  So, stay tuned…”

Humm…

“One day, I’d like to open my own art gallery to display everything and nothing.  Invitation will follow.  But before that, I want to finish my DVD marathon.”