The Ministry of Education (MOE) recognizes organizations and individuals who have contributed to the promotion of social education. Each year, the MOE selects outstanding individuals and organizations to serve as benchmarks for social education and presents them with the MOE Social Education Contribution Award. The awarding of the 2023 Social Education Contribution Organization Award to the Hess Cultural and Educational Foundation is not only recognition, but also an encouragement and a sign of future expectation.
Sowing Seeds of Beauty and Happiness
Established in 1998 to honor the memory of the founder’s mother, the Hess Cultural and Educational Foundation has not only helped needy families, but has also actively promoted reading and various public service activities. From 2001 to the present, the Foundation has served as the Ministry of Education’s Reading Train Leader and as the Ministry of Education’s Lifelong Learning Circle Leader, collaborating with the six major learning themes to expand education and public service issues as the core of the promotion of lifelong learning. In addition, we have been working with partner foundations that share the same philosophy to promote parent-child reading through a variety of activities, and to accomplish the goal of increasing public participation through expanded strategic alliances.
Since 2002, we have been providing education grants to children from families in need, with more than 12,000 recipients. Meanwhile, we recruit native-speaking and local volunteers every summer to go to remote villages and organize English camps, so that children can experience different languages and cultures. At the same time, this helps young people realize the practical significance of giving and education. More than 4,000 children having participated so far. We actively promote the “Reading Nature Program” for families, encouraging families to go outdoors, enhancing parent-child relationships, bringing children to learn about nature, and cultivating gratitude and humility. Nearly 120,000 participants have joined 327 events so far. We focus on international cultural and educational issues, inviting experts and scholars from local and abroad to organize “International Academic Exchange Seminars”, where we share different viewpoints and insights, and find new directions worth pursuing. The seminar has been held for 16 years and has been recognized by all sectors of the community.
As the saying goes, “Lighting a lamp not only illuminates others, but also illuminates oneself.” The Foundation hopes that through reading and education, the seeds of goodness and happiness will be planted, and that an environment where everyone enjoys reading and the joy of reading will be shared with the next generation. Hope can become a driving force in society, and everyone can grow a garden of happiness!