Spreading Love: Empowering Rural Children's Holiday Dreams

HSINCHU NORTH CROSS INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION FOUNDATION AND EAGLE CORPORATION fulfill wishes and create a festive English classroom at Jinshan Elementary School.

During the Christmas season of 2022, in the spirit of fulfilling children's Christmas wishes and embracing an immersive bilingual education, Hsinchu North Cross International Education Foundation teamed up with Eagle Corporation and Taiwan Fund for Children and Families to organize a heartwarming charity event called "Spreading Love to the World." Together, they brought love and joy to the students of Jinshan Elementary School in Hsinchu County by fulfilling their heartfelt wishes and creating a cozy English classroom with a festive Christmas atmosphere.

As the year draws to a close, the warm and joyful ambiance of Christmas becomes even more prominent. However, for children in rural areas, the dazzling and vibrant Christmas celebration can feel both familiar and unfamiliar. With hopeful yet sometimes lonely expressions in their eyes, they share their dreams of receiving a special Christmas gift that truly belongs to them. North Cross understands the needs of these children and, in collaboration with Eagle, responded to the call of the "Spreading Love to the World" charity Christmas event. Together, we encouraged the children to write down their wishes on cards, and the dedicated team members transformed into Santa Claus to make their dreams come true.

In contrast to the typical wishes for toys, video games, or dolls made by most children, the top three wishes among the 33 wish cards from Jinshan Elementary School were for stationery sets, colored pencils, and drawing books. One heartfelt wish card stood out, capturing the admiration of all who read it. "Dear Santa Claus, I hope to receive a watch because I am a broadcaster. With a watch, I can broadcast on time..." These words penned by Daniel reflect his dedication as a young broadcaster at school. His sincere wish for a practical watch from Santa Claus resonated deeply, as it would help him fulfill his broadcasting duties punctually.

Guided by the belief of "Rooted in Taiwan, Embracing the World," North Cross aims to provide a bilingual learning environment for all children. That is why the "Spreading Love to the World" event was designed to offer enriching English language courses specially tailored for children. It began with heartwarming and fun Christmas theater performances and gradually expanded to include Christmas vocabulary lessons, reindeer painting activities, and a fun gift ring toss game. Through these engaging activities, the children were able to experience the festive spirit of Christmas while learning and having fun.

"I never knew Christmas could be this much fun!" exclaimed Wendy, a fifth-grader. Seeing so many foreign teachers was a magical moment for her. Despite initial nervousness, Wendy quickly discovered a new way of learning through interactive games. Even unfamiliar words became easy to remember. Andy, a second-grader, expressed his appreciation for the patient teaching approach as the teachers adapted their pace to ensure understanding, making English learning feel less daunting.

Think Globally, Act Locally. " Learning Together with the World " nurture a warm and inclusive community where children embark on a shared journey of learning and play. Through immersive English activities, they embrace the rich tapestry of diverse cultural celebrations worldwide. North Cross firmly believes that this educational endeavor, empowering underprivileged children to connect with the global community, nurtures a continuous cycle of love and compassion. With a steadfast commitment to rural education, this initiative becomes more than a fleeting moment; it blossoms annually, spreading the transformative power of change throughout Taiwan. As we envision a future where the grip of the pandemic loosens, we hope to create more enduring moments of connection and inspiration in rural areas, igniting a ripple effect of love and hope that reaches every corner of the world.

Located in the outskirts where urban and rural areas meet, Jinshan Elementary School may have limited educational resources compared to the city. However, the school believes that what their students truly need is the confidence to speak English. Through this heartwarming Christmas activity, they aspire to broaden the students' horizons and instill a sense of self-assurance.

Mr. Shen, the Director of Taiwan Fund for Children and Families of Hsin-chu, warmly expresses his gratitude to North Cross and Eagle for their unwavering collaboration with social welfare organizations. In the face of the challenging issue of uneven distribution of educational resources, we have together built trust, connected resources, and effectively addressed these disparities, offering a transformative opportunity for once remote and neglected campuses. Through the process of learning, understanding, and fostering cross-disciplinary connections, students now approach their studies with a positive and passionate attitude. This partnership has truly ignited a spark of enthusiasm, creating a nurturing environment where active learning and meaningful interactions flourish.