The effort of WT Foundation to set up online reading program schools for children in deprived rural communities in Taiwan is joined by many, including volunteers from WT, DBS Bank, Bao Chen Group, Dyaco, Puyong Archiland, Tingfang Charity Care Association, and Hsinyuan Foundation, and those from World Vision, TFCF, and other social welfare groups as well as local churches that house the program’s sites for the children. The Internet technologies and the program eliminate geographical barriers for the volunteering company employees, their relatives and friends, university students and others to offer long-term regular online reading that is intended to open up rural children’s horizons and provide them emotional support.

From the beginning of the school term in February 2023 to January 2024, the program served as many as 7,742 person-times during two semesters. In addition, a total of 556 reading partners attended the reading partner meetup activities, volunteer training, and Christmas DIY activities for volunteers.

Lisa shared her experience as a WT volunteer for one and a half years, and said “I have been connected with her since she was in the second grade of elementary school. When we first began with online storybook reading, we read rather slowly and had difficulty in pronouncing correctly. However, I am pleased to see the change from our cautious interactions at the beginning to the lively talk with her now. I am very surprised that spending 30 minutes a week reading a storybook in the long run had such a great impact on a child! I am also happy during the reading. It is a very meaningful activity. I hope I can continue to accompany her and serve as a small cornerstone for her growth. “
 
“The first time we met online, I felt that this little girl was like my daughter! Now we read together and talk online every week, and even meet and interact once a year. I feel that this is predestined. We do more than reading storybooks together. She would share her school life or problems in getting along with her classmates, and I would come up with further topics that we could discuss based on the story we read. The engagement gives us a chance to take her onto a positive and kindhearted path,” said Penny, who is also a WT volunteer, energetically and enthusiastically.

Mermaid, another volunteer, always makes some teaching aids for the online interaction. She mentioned the support she received from her colleagues at WT, who, with great enthusiasm, offer to contribute teaching aids, stationery, and even other items that the school boy may need. “When I first found out that I was matched to this little quiet, well-behaved, shy boy in the first grade of primary school, I had honestly no idea how to interact with him. I was lucky enough that my colleagues offered a lot of advice as mothers, which helped me to get such a young child’s trust more quickly. Looking at the little boy’s transformation and progress now gives me a great sense of accomplishment!”