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UNDER THE BANYAN TREE Centre for the Developmentally Disabled is a registered charity for the developmentally disabled located in Markham, Ontario, Canada. It serves developmentally disabled of all ages with multicultural backgrounds living in the York Region and the Greater Toronto Area, South of Steeles Ave. THE FOUNDING OF UTBT In spring 1996, Annie and Kee-may Ip were sitting in Annie’s sun room. They came up with the idea of a structured and purposeful summer program for children. While preparing for the program, they realized that they shared a very important basic belief --- the greatest Happiness of a person comes from having the opportunity to fully develop and actualize their potentials. The project was a success. Filled with enthusiasm, Annie and Kee-may worked together again on another similar project with adults with developmental disabilities. Evaluation on the projects affirmed them that they are on the right path, one which would lead to an even bigger project, called Under The Banyan Tree. THE MEANING OF UNDER THE BANYAN TREE The banyan tree is a sub-tropical plant grown in subtropical rain-forests generally found in south-east Asia countries like the Philippines and in southern China. A literature titled, "The Beautiful Bearded Banyan Tree" which described a Banyan Tree growing in the country of Dong Goon, China. It grew into a big tree extending its aerial roots into the ground that later gave rise to other tree trunks and gradually spreaded around to become a small forest reputed as "A Paradise of Birds". Our organization “Under the Banyan Tree” takes the essence of the banyan tree as being sturdy and strong, firmly-rooted, confident, and provides a shady and safe surroundings. It is a shelter for providing a place for people to take a break after a long day of stressful work, and enter into the Utopia they longed for.