Today we’d like to introduce you to Ashley Pan.
Hi Ashley, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Our mission reaches a local and global community – Light of the World (LOW) raises money to provide solar lanterns for children who resort to using harmful kerosene lanterns in regions of Africa as a result of financial instability. So, with lanterns, we’re quite literally the “light” of the world. But even more, we’re light for the small world around us, from supply drives to Operation Christmas to donations. My vision for Light of the World first came to life as Light of Africa at my junior high, Jasper, in September of 2018.
At our first meeting, my comp sci teacher’s classroom was flooded with familiar faces and a ton of cookies (tip: cookies → world peace). To say that I was pumped for my little club is an understatement. Unfortunately, my rush of serotonin did not come with an instruction manual on how to start or run an organization. Though, I’ve learned a few things here and there that’s brought me to where I am today. Currently, our organization has 140 members, representatives, and a board of directors from 17 schools across the Dallas Fort Worth metroplex, in Pennsylvania, and even across the globe in Beijing. Back in March, vice president Brianna Phan and I organized a fundraiser on behalf of LOW, which provided 904 meals for families at risk of malnutrition and of weakened immunity. Just this semester alone, we’ve donated 340 cans to the EveryoneEatz drive-thru event and raised $800, which is the equivalent to 26 solar lanterns for Develop Africa. And this is just the beginning. The passion and dedication I pour into Light of the World stem from my advocacy for volunteering and fundraising; I hope my commitment, actions, and leadership can be a source of light to this world.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The thing is, Light of the World hasn’t always been rainbows and butterflies. And that’s okay because running a nonprofit is all about transparency. From day one, there were people who saw this organization as a joke. I was put down for deciding to focus on Africa, I was put down for expecting officers to do their fair share, and I was even put down for caring too much. Crazy, right? I’ve come to the realization that our society is constructed in a way where we’re constantly tearing apart other’s success. But instead of feeding into their negativity (and quite frankly, jealousy), I put my energy into what mattered. Bridging the educational gap is the only way out of poverty and into generations of prosperity, which is what many nonprofit leaders are preaching.
After all, no single organization can do it all; no matter how many solar lanterns we provide for African children today, the economic disparity will be business as usual the next day. I am well aware that I can’t singlehandedly change the world, but I know that I’m a woman of empowerment rooted in practical and tangible solutions; it’ll take quite a few of us to put inequity out of business. So, be classy by being the bigger person, check. Except it doesn’t stop there. My senior high, Plano Senior, is a crossroad for diversity and opportunity. Nonetheless, changing schools came with a layer of complexity. With less than 25 members across our Jasper and Plano Senior chapters, LOW hit a record low. I pushed Light of the World to the bottom of my to-do list, and I constantly made excuses for my lack of action. Deep down, I wasn’t willing to give my organization up, but I was missing a level of personal commitment to my cause.
So, this summer, I devoted myself to Develop Africa’s mission to foster self-sufficiency in African communities through education (this is the organization Light of the World sends solar lanterns through). Being behind the scenes – even virtually as a podcast “connoisseur” – humanizes the impact of LOW’s funds. More so, I walked away with bits and pieces of nonprofit advice that are the reason. Light of the World is where it is today. Here are my top 3 that I’ll keep with me till the end of time: 1. Fall in love with the problem, not the solution 2. Partner with existing organizations that have networking already in place 3. Follow up with the people and places you impact beyond the monetary constraints (working within the amount you have) and vanity metrics (absolute numbers of people reached and dollars raised). Stop labeling people as a statistic, get to know them, and give donors a degree of transparency.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Well, I do what college advisors advise against a little bit of everything. And let me tell you, it’s hard. But totally doable. For starters, I hold the titles of Miss Teen China International 2018-2020 and Miss Teen of Plano 2019 with pride. My pageant career channeled my love for that spotlight; every moment on stage is a chance for me to break the stereotype for Asian American women (we are more than just hardworking), represent my Chinese culture with grace, and bring awareness to rape culture and Asian fetishization. Coincidentally, pageantry is the cornerstone of everything else I do. I model for fashion shows, runways, makeup artists, and photographers, which in itself is a blueprint for collaboration, creativity, and confidence. I compete in Original Oratory because it’s one of the biggest outlets to tell my story on a local, state, and national circuit. As a sophomore, my ten-minute speech was about the dangers of excessive social media use and how it contributes to the impossible beauty standards that I’ve masked my imperfections for.
In junior year, I focused on subconscious prejudice and its impact on beauty pageants, the model minority myth, the American criminal justice system, and even AP testing. My senior year oratory tugs at my heartstrings. Losing my friend Ocean made me realize our collective inability to process grief, and hence, the need to hold the people we still have a little closer. It turns out my judges were all ears for what I had to say, and I’m a two time Texas Forensic Association state qualifier to prove it (fun fact: I’ve placed 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 6th at local tournaments, which is all the finals places possible!).
As a cultural pageant queen, my work for my community doesn’t stop at speaking up. At OperASIAN, we operate to manufacture rape kits for victims in Asia while at the same time providing a platform for individuals to share their experiences. Through teaching in Beijing with Think and Speak Up and as a private tutor for Chinese, the love I have for my heritage crosses paths with my passion for educating. You see, I’m all about giving back. Whether it be as an emcee for my music studio, a Be the Light public speaking instructor, or a pageant coach, I see it as my pleasure and natural responsibility to nurture the hearts of younger generations. And lucky for me, the future generations set my future–I’m committed to becoming a professor! So far, I’ve been accepted to the University of Texas McCombs School of Business, New York University Shanghai, and Emory University. I plan on majoring in accounting and minoring in Chinese, Spanish, and Psychology. Basically, I have an even busier life ahead, but I’m here for it.
Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
Risks are embedded into our contemporary society. Even for someone as indecisive as me, I still drive a car, fly on planes, eat four pints of chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream in an hour, drink the water from my fridge – the list goes on and on. Risk is my ambition, and in essence, a breakthrough for everything I do. As a word of caution, some risks are simply not worth it. Instead, we need to take rational risks – risks with a purpose. We can’t let unpredictability or distress dictate and eradicate our lives, so it’s up to us to determine whether a risk is appropriate in a case by case scenario.
Contact Info:
- Email: lightoftheworldclub@gmail.com
- Website: lightoftheworldclub.org
- Instagram: lightoftheworldclub
Image Credits:
Walter Caraig
Jarvis Jacobs
Sax Kunlayabun
