Achievements

AEF Achievements for 2008

2008-08-11

1.Life Education

(1)Speeches given by CEO of AEF in schools

(2)Speeches and performance given by the Disabled Performing Arts Group in schools

(3)Production of the radio show “Life is Good” in Leader Station operated by the Taipei Detention Center

(4)First round judge for Life Story Award

Speeches given by CEO of AEF in schools

Some describe the younger generation as the “Strawberry Generation,” meaning they cannot stand pressure and are easily bruised by life’s lightest knocks, just like strawberries.

Although Ming Liu, the CEO of the ADLINK Education Foundation, is of this generation, he is definitely not a “strawberry.” He has suffered from polio since he was 3, which has left him with severe disability and confined him to a wheelchair. He was sent to Taipei Guangci Boai Hospital by his parents at the age of 9, and lived there for 13 years. When he was 14, after taking a shower, he spent 2 hours trying to get out of his tub and climb into his wheelchair, and missed his Christmas present because of this. This episode taught him the importance of “not giving up on himself.”

Each year, the Ministry of Education invites guest speakers to share their inspirational and motivating life stories during the “Special Education Week” and “Life Education Week” to encourage students to overcome obstacles and value life. Liu is one of the people that is frequently invited to speak.

He has delivered speeches on a variety of topics, including “My Life Turning Point”, “Colorful Life”, and “Opportunity Often Comes Disguised in the Form of Misfortune.” Students nowadays do not like to be lectured. Successful examples are more likely to catch their attention. Liu’s eloquence came from his experience hosting radio shows, which helped as he related his real-life stories. Through these stories he served as a role model for the teens.

Speeches and performance given by the Disabled Performing Arts Group in schools

In addition to Ming Liu’s long-term advocacy for “life education” speeches in schools, it was the foundation’s hope that voices of its sponsored group, Disabled Performing Arts Group (DPAG), could be heard. With their extraordinary talents and skills, their distinctive method of delivering their speech stood out and caught the students’ attention.

This year, with the wide spread of DPAG’s introduction to schools, as well as its increased growth in popularity, the group members were invited to begin public speaking. Xiu-Xia Lin, Shu-Qiao Wang, Mu-Qing Li, Lian-Qiao Chen, for instance, had served as guest speakers. AEF wishes to have more DPAG members assume the role of public speakers for two purposes: To increase the income of the speakers and to fulfill the demand of speakers with disabilities.

Production of the radio show “Life is Good” in Leader Station operated by the Taipei Detention Center

The Taipei Detention Center accommodates the highest number of inmates in Taiwan. With a vision to have a positive influence on the inmates’ improvement in moral education and rehabilitation through light-hearted and inspirational programs, Leader Station started two years ago and was the first radio station to be established by a detention center.

If it results in a significant positive effect, Leader Station will break new ground and be the model for the establishment of future stations of its kind.

AEF was honored to take part in the production and hosting of the radio show “Life is Good” in the station. Ming Liu, CEO of AEF, and Hui-Er Ni, Executive Secretary of AEF, produced and hosted the show once a month since two years ago. Two to three episodes were made each visit, with each episode being 30 minutes. The show was podcasted during contemplation sessions on Tuesday nights.

The focus of the show in the first year was on timeless inspirational stories, while interviews of people with disabilities were conducted in the second year. Guests such as Li-Hong Liu, Xiu-Xia Lin and Kang-Fu Peng were on the show, inspiring listeners with their ability to overcome adversity and value life.

First round judge for Life Story Award

In 2006, Professor Ho-Cheng Hong, Dean of Student Affairs in Tsing Hua University, made a proposal for an experimental project: Life Story Hall. It was in his hope that university students could share their life stories online to increase sympathy, sensibility and solicitude in their lives.

During this second year of the project, the Life Story Hall intended to spread this idea to the colleges and universities, the student clubs and social care groups and the people of Taiwan. Words, pictures, videos, and drawings of unforgettable and touching moments in any form of creation were encouraged to be submitted online, sharing with the public and making them long lasting stories. AEF served as the first round judge for the event, while Xiu-Xia Lin, a DPAG member, worked as a spokesperson for the press conference.

2.The “Spreading Love” Train

(1)“Delivering Love to Prisons” Project

(2)“ADLINK Spreading Love” Events: Visiting Taipei Bethany Children’s Home and “Spreading Love” to Singapore and Malaysia

(3)“Thumbs Up for the Youth!” Volunteer Project

“Delivering Love to Prisons” Project

This project has been carried out for years since Ming Liu, CEO of AEF, previously served as the CEO in Kuang Ching Foundation. Liu’s diligence on the project continued while working as the Director of the Board later in Taipei Fubon Bank Charity Foundation. Since then, the collaboration between AEF and the Cathay Charity Foundation has enabled the project’s implementation.

This project aimed to inspire and motivate the inmates with the performing arts and life stories of the disabled.

“ADLINK Spreading Love” Events 

AEF’s primary mission is to “spread love” and change the world for the better, which can be seen in the following activities: 

Aside from the “Delivering Love to Prisons” Project, AEF was involved with “ADLINK Spreading Love” events, which did not limit our service to inmates, but provided care to students and soldiers as well.

In March, AEF visited Taipei Bethany Children’s Home, where many orphans and disabled people were accommodated, with the hope of delivering the message that growing up in a children’s home was not necessarily a disadvantage. CEO Ming Liu and DPAG member Wen-Quian Ren were two wonderful examples.    

In late September, “ADLINK Spreading Love” events reached out to Penghu Prison at Dingwan Town and Magong High School. Mr. Ke, Chief of the Edification and Education Section of Penghu Prison, proposed a project for a sponsorship from AEF for the publication of a book containing a collection of works written by the prisoners: Stories of Pengting. This was an unexpected and beautiful surprise.
 

In Magong High School, over 1,000 students gathered to join DPAG with their outstanding performance and life stories. Their performance was very uplifting, and the audience’s applause rang throughout the auditorium.

“Thumbs Up for the Youth!” Volunteer Project

For 12 years, Jinhong Foundation has supported the work of youth care, particularly in elementary schools and junior high schools. The project, assisted by AEF, aims to promote life education among teenagers with the talents and sharing of stories of DPAG.

3.Care for the Disadvantaged

(1)Conducted an Emergency Assistance Project and offered consolation money to Que-Nian Chen, an employee of ADLINK Technology Inc.

(2)Sponsored Anlue Association to go to Chengjheng High School in Hsinchu to show care to the inmates

(3)Sponsored the 10th Taipei Film Festival organized by the Department of Cultural Affairs of Taipei County and invited children from the Family Support Center, which operated under the Social Affairs Bureau of Taipei County, to the film launch

(4)Sponsored the Harmony Home Association to support infants infected with HIV/AIDS

(5)Sponsored the 8th “Between Whole and Imperfect” Disability Film Festival of the Kuang Ching Foundation

(6)Sponsored Nantou Chin Ai Elementary School with new computer facilities and equipment

(7)Sponsored the establishment of Tanggu (a traditional Chinese drum) Groupin Changhua Reform School

(8)The 1st Annual Zhong-Xian Ni Scholarship Award was presented to children of ADLINK Technology Inc. and AEF employees with outstanding academic performance

(9)Sponsored “Snow White”, the annual performance by Colala Theater Group of the Julin Development Association

4.Social Welfare

(1)DPAG preformed at the “Summer Time Blood Drive” held by the Cathay Charity Foundation

(2)Performed in the Appreciation Concert for Mother’s Day

(3)Performed on Parent-Child Day in the Navy Command Headquarters

(4)Performed in the Taoyuan-Hsinchu-Miaoli Regional Fair for People with Disabilities

(5)Performed in the 8th Literary and Artistic Award for Disabled Talents Award Ceremony

(6)Performed in the Golden Wingspan Award Ceremony, organized by the Vocational Training Bureau

(7)Performed in the Outstanding Volunteer Citation Award Ceremony, held by the Social Affairs Bureau of Taipei City

(8)Performed on Law Day

5.Publications

(1)DPAG Introduction Brochure

(2)DPAG Album: “DPAG’s Love”

(3)Stories of Pengting (a prison writing collection book from Penghu Prison in Dingwan)