Accton E-Charity

Uniting not only the ‘wealth’ from diverse locales, but also intertwining each other’s ‘hearts’

Accton leveraged core competencies in network communications to set up and operate a fundraising platform, Accton E-Charity (www.17885.com.tw) to assist public welfare organizations in Taiwan in online fundraising and activity publicity, and called on netizens to work together to render help for emergency relief efforts across Taiwan and welfare organizations with the notion of Direct Donation – Direct Help.

Bridging the digital divide for social welfare organizations

Online Fundraising on the Accton E-Charity Platform

At the end of 2023, Accton E-Charity had 409 public welfare organizations as members and 300,000 individual members. By covering all operational expenses for the platform, Accton ensures that public welfare organizations can utilize the platform without financial burden. Throughout 2023, the platform served as a catalyst for 531 fundraising initiatives, collectively generating NT$25.80 million in support of diverse causes across Taiwan. This platform not only provides more exposure for members but also enhances their connectivity, fostering horizontal communication among organizations. It pushes forward cross-sector and cross-unit projects, focusing not just on individual members but on thematic collaborations that leverage the strengths of various members, thereby enhancing visibility from multiple perspectives.

Taiwan Public Welfare and

Service Association

Since its inception in 2003, the Taiwan Public Welfare and Service Association has primarily focused on providing emergency relief. In the past five years, in response to social changes and the emergence of new issues, as well as the rise of the social media era, a variety of new and diverse fundraising models have emerged. These changes reflect the evolving ways in which issues are presented and addressed. The association has adapted by embracing diverse fundraising methods and platforms. This adaptability allows for the early identification and prevention of various issues, enhancing the effectiveness of subsequent solutions. Besides caring for the disadvantaged, the association has defined three main areas of focus: “Educational Empowerment,” “Aging with Dignity,” and “Diversity and Inclusion.”

Under the main focus of “Educational Empowerment,” the approach is twofold: enhancing the competencies of educators and companions, and promoting reading. In the area of “Aging with Dignity,” the focus starts with meeting basic physiological needs and extends to psychological care, aiming to open up a treasure trove of opportunities for seniors, thereby fostering a dignified and independent third stage of life. For “Diversity and Inclusion,” different activities are designed to promote integration among various groups, enhancing community harmony and inclusion through diverse interactions. In 2023, the Taiwan Public Welfare and Service Association’s donations included emergency relief and collaboration on public welfare projects, totaling NT$6.94 million.

Emergency Relief

1. Emergency Relief Reporting

In 2023, the Taiwan Public Welfare and Service Association assisted 181 families in emergency situations, with a total aid amount of NT$1.94 million. This funding was primarily sourced from small donations made by internet users through the Accton E-Charity platform.

2. Emergency and Vulnerable Children Educational Grants

Starting in 2023, the Taiwan Public Welfare and Service Association partnered with the Puren Youth Care Foundation to provide educational grants to junior and senior high school students from economically disadvantaged or vulnerable families who have faced significant challenges within the last six months. This collaboration aims to support students in continuing their education despite financial hardships caused by unforeseen family circumstances. In 2023, the program supported 20 students with a total of NT$180,000 in education grants.

Educational Empowerment

Educational institutions and frontline educators play a pivotal role in learning. The association aims to enhance the teaching capabilities of educators through collaborative educational projects, developing child-centered educational environments. These initiatives not only facilitate students’ comprehension of the world around them, but also bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application in their daily lives. By nurturing problem-solving skills, these efforts prepare students to confront and surmount future challenges with confidence.

Promotion of SDGs Sustainable Teaching Aids

To encourage teachers to introduce SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals) to students and integrate them into their teaching, the Taiwan Public Welfare and Service Association sponsored 75 sets of teaching aids developed by DFC Taiwan in 2023. The aids, titled “Daily Challenges: Implementing Sustainable Ideas through DFC Learning Methods,” were promoted through two online workshops, attracting 56 teachers. This initiative empowers frontline educators seamlessly introduce sustainability topics into their lessons, utilizing the SDGs teaching aids combined with DFC teaching methods, thus integrating sustainable concepts into the curriculum and fostering a culture of sustainability within campuses across the nation.

The Taiwan Public Welfare and Service Association is collaborating with Education Support for Taiwan Association on a long-term companion program for remote schools. Experienced companion teachers directly engage with schools to identify development strengths, resolve curriculum issues, and rejuvenate teachers’ confidence and enthusiasm in their teaching practices through companionship engagements. In 2023, the Taiwan Public Welfare and Service Association supported four rural schools: Yongle Elementary School in Su’ao Township, Yilan County; Daxi Elementary School in Taimali Township, Taitung County; Ren He Junior High School in Taoyuan City; and Hao Shou Elementary School in Beigang Township, Yunlin County.

To improve the working conditions of frontline childcare workers, the association has continued to support the “Partner Development Program” at the Taitung Kids’ Book House for two consecutive years. In 2023, under the designated support of the Taiwan Public Welfare and Service Association, the program addressed the issue of low overall salaries for frontline teachers and supervisors. A total of 32 individuals received salary adjustments, with the majority being frontline service partners, followed by secondary and primary supervisors. The average salary increase was 11.82%. The association also provides transitional dormitories for partners who are in the process of adapting to life in Taitung. The association hopes to revolutionize conventional donation paradigms by implementing systems and benchmarks that enable frontline workers to witness the tangible outcomes of their efforts and receive equitable compensation. This progressive approach seeks to empower these workers to offer consistent and impactful support to children without the burden of financial concerns, thereby fostering a secure environment akin to a stable home for the children under their care.

Professional companionship stands at the core of caregiving work, and the starting point for child care is how to provide these professional caregivers with ample support. In 2023, the Taiwan Public Welfare and Service Association supported the Change Formula Association’s “Wan 8 Program,” aiming to alleviate the caregiving pressure at child care institutions and provide social workers with fairer working conditions, while also hoping that these children have a chance to grow up well and thrive.

Vocational education is crucial for nurturing the country’s future technical talent. However, the societal trend has long been “to prioritize academics over vocational training,” resulting in a reduction of over 180,000 vocational students over the past decade, leading to a gradual decline of crucial technical talent in Taiwan.

To remove social biases and change the entrenched views on vocational education, the Taiwan Public Welfare and Service Association supported the Skills for U association to head to Abu Dhabi and document the Taiwan team participating in the WorldSkills Asia Abu Dhabi 2023. By filming and sharing the stories of these vocational champions through videos, news media, YouTube, and social media collaborations, the project aims to showcase the professionalism and spirit of technical professionals, encouraging more youth to engage in vocational education. A total of 5 videos were shot and produced, including the opening ceremony, closing ceremony, and competition highlights, attracting over 300,000 views.

Reading Promotion

Rural Clinic Waiting Area Reading
Corner Setup

To bridge the urban-rural educational resource gap and expand the diversity of preschool education, the Taiwan Public Welfare and Service Association collaborated with Reach Out And Read Taiwan (ROR Taiwan) on a project called “Preschool Children Reading Promotion”. This initiative distributed 2,180 children’s books to 19 rural medical units’ waiting areas. Additionally, a reading space was set up at the Pingxi Health Center in New Taipei City, where medical staff explained and demonstrated to parents the importance and techniques of parent-child co-reading. Through parent-child coreading sessions, this initiative aims to assist in the mental and cognitive development of young children, reduce the rate of developmental delays among rural children, and enhance emotional bonds and connections among rural families.

In rural areas, preschool education often grapples with hurdles like insufficient reading materials and frequent turnover among educators. In a joint effort with National Dong Hwa University’s Social Participation Center, the association contributed 200 children’s books covering diverse themes to Fengren Elementary School Kindergarten and Shoufeng Township Kindergarten in Hualien. Leveraging the resources of the university’s Social Participation Center, the Department of Early Childhood Education and the Department of Education and Human Potentials Development, this initiative aims to enhance language arts curricula and enrich learning environments. By offering sustained and consistent support to preschool educators, it endeavors to establish long-term stability in these educational settings.

We hope to inspire rural children’s interest and curiosity in reading through long-term investment in both physical and digital resources, and enriching books, which will enhance their vocabulary, cognitive, and emotional development.

Children who enjoy reading might not necessarily enjoy writing, but those who are fond of writing definitely appreciate reading. In partnership with the Ruro platform, the association invited Atayal literature author Walis Nokan to conduct a four-week reading and writing course at Huayuan Elementary School in Wufeng Township, Hsinchu County, and Klapay Indigenous Experimental Elementary School in Hsinchu County. The program not only offers writing classes to children but also provides training for local teachers, helping them learn how to ignite students’ motivation to write, regain their freedom and motivation in writing, and eventually develop a reading and teaching plan tailored to each school.

Remote intergenerational reading: To promote the development of reading habits among preschool children in rural areas, Taiwan Public Welfare Service Association collaborated with the ROR Taiwan, Taipei Medical University physicians, and the Chiayi City Health Bureau, under the guidance of physicians, seniors in Chiayi City engage in remote reading sessions with children from a kindergarten in Penghu via video conferencing.

The sessions adopted a dialogic reading model to enhance the verbal participation of young children. This approach not only helps preschoolers enhance their vocabulary and cognitive development through interaction and reading, but also stimulates the brains of the elderly, helping to prevent dementia and increasing their sense of achievement and well-being. The selection of picture books also integrates topics related to dementia and sustainability, achieving a triple impact of dementia prevention, intergenerational reading, and deepening sustainability awareness. A total of 8 online reading sessions were conducted, with 50 participations by elders from Chiayi City, accumulating 25 hours of service.

Trendy Seniors On Air

In collaboration with the Chiayi City Health Bureau, the Taiwan Public Welfare and Service Association extended the “Trendy Seniors on Air” podcast program in 2023, following training and showcase events in 2022. The program continued to evolve the independence plan for the elderly by involving 16 seniors in a total of 2 general knowledge classes (4 hours) and 8 advanced classes (12 hours). The initiative transformed the elderly from mere podcast participants into a self-operating production team based on their interests and expertise. This approach ensures the continuous creation of quality programs, presenting the value and societal contribution of the elderly, and encouraging them to enjoy and create a distinctive lifestyle for seniors. In 2023, a total of 27 podcast episodes were released, accumulating 1,169 downloads.

Promote Concept of Self-supporting Care

“Self-support” has recently become a prominent caregiving concept in Taiwan. However, there is a lack of systematic organization and advocacy for this care method. Therefore, the Taiwan Public Welfare and Service Association has partnered with Chang Tai Old Age Academy to promote selfsupporting care through various channels such as podcasts, YouTube, TikTok, and in-person lectures. In 2023, a total of 66 podcast episodes were recorded, accumulating 15,505 downloads in total, with 8,465 unique downloads. Additionally, 29 YouTube videos were uploaded, reaching a cumulative viewership of 125,004 views. Moreover, three physical lectures were organized in Chiayi, Yunlin, and Hsinchu, with a total attendance of 179 participants.

Elderly Care and Support

Home Bathing Mobile Van: In long-term care services, rural families often face significant economic difficulties, making it especially challenging to afford caregiving expenses. In 2023, the Taiwan Public Welfare and Service Association continued to support the Quixotic Implement Foundation by providing professional, safe, and dignified home bathing services for bedridden and mobility-impaired individuals, allocating a total of NT$120,000. This service not only improves the psychological and physical state of the disabled but also enhances their daily quality of life and significantly relieves the pressure on caregivers, offering them solid support. Donation of Medical Equipment to Nursing Homes: Elderly care is a key concern for the Taiwan Public Welfare and Service Association. In 2023, the association assisted the local Bethany Nursing Home in Hsinchu, providing 6 electric beds, blood pressure monitors, forehead thermometers, and other medical equipment. This support alleviates worries for caregivers and includes a large commercial refrigerator to address the lack of storage space for grocery supplies.

不只串聯各地的「金」更串起彼此的「心」

智邦自2001年創建智邦公益平台 (www.17885.com.tw) 以來，集團設置專職人力，負責平台營運、串聯內外部資源，結合SDGs目標，利用平台的聚眾效果、數位化的募款及行銷機制，協助公益團體縮短數位落差，快速獲得支持，讓公益資源發揮最大效益。智邦也透過與公益團體專案合作，藉由夥伴關係，擴大彼此社會影響力。

智邦公益平台運作模式

Accton E-Charity