HOPE for Taiwan

A bit of background- my brother Gary has lived in Taiwan for more than ten years teaching English at the Joy Schools. He talks to Peggy and Sam his employers and founders of the Joy Educational and Educational Foundation about the HOPE projects. More than 50,000 students learn English as a second language at the Joy schools.

Peggy arranged for me to bring the project to Taiwan and appointed Iris to work with me. On August 18 I was off on my first overseas trip ever! Iris was a sweetie and we will be friends forever. Peggy and myself also had a sisterly bond and will work on many projects together in years to come.

My brother had tried to prepare me for how big and important my visit was to them all. Attending a press conference a few days later, I was blown away by the magnitude of it all including a group of 5-6 year olds singing and dancing around the theme of my One Mind One Voice poem. This brought tears to my eyes. Very humbling.

That night, I declined an invitation to dinner and instead went back to the hotel, where in the quiet of this busy city night. The emotions evolved into nine poems and an alphabet. Before I left Taiwan I had written over 40 poems.

Visiting many schools, included was the Joy, Kuling Street Branch who are now linked to North Arm school and will visit Australia soon.

It is hard to put in a few words what happened during my visit, hearing child reciting the One Mind One Voice poem, receiving their handprints and messages of peace. The major event on August 30, where I got to stand on a stage and ask 99 selected families (99 meaning great success) and V.I.P guests if they would promise to help me make it a better world for Caitlin and all children. They answered loud and clear “Yes We Do”

More information can be found on the website at
http://www.onemindonevoice.org/hope/taiwanhope.html

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