A record number of livestreamers gather for a joyful reunion at Coastal Elementary School with Gui Shuyao, Jiang Hong’en, and rural students

By/ Scenic Spots Family (compiled report)
 
“Livestreamers” are today’s kids’ favorites. The “2019 Coastal Elementary School Reunion,” hosted by the Citystate Foundation, is an event where rural children meet their reading volunteer buddies—and also the largest-ever gathering of “livestreamers.” Each volunteer buddy becomes a child’s personal “livestreamer.” Over 200 children and 200 “livestreamers” spent a joyful two-day weekend together.

Since 2010, the Citystate Foundation has launched the “Coastal Elementary School Video Reading Companion Program,” serving underprivileged elementary and middle school students from coastal rural families. Corporate employees, college students, and volunteer moms are paired one-on-one with students for long-term mentorship, meeting weekly via computer video calls to read and share thoughts. Currently, there are 12 Coastal Elementary Schools across Taiwan, involving over 20 corporations, social welfare organizations, and universities. More than 3,000 volunteers and students have participated to date.
 
To broaden rural children’s horizons and enrich their life experiences, the Citystate Foundation specially planned a fun sports day and music-themed activities. The first day featured an illustrious lineup of guests, including popular entertainers Gui Shuyao and Jiang Hong’en, Coastal Elementary School founder Zhou Huiting, renowned anchors and hosts Shen Chunhua, Ye Shushan, Zhuang Kaiwen, Su Zongyi, Lin Yiru, and Ao Guozhu, as well as dignitaries from the New Taiwan Foundation for Culture and Education (Chairman James Soong), World Vision Taiwan (President Wang Weihua), Dyaco International, DBS Bank (Taiwan), YFY Inc., and Pou Chen Group—all of whom attended the opening ceremony. They welcomed the students and volunteers from each school, who marched in with the spirited energy of Universiade athletes, offering them blessings and encouragement. They also expressed hope that all sectors of society would come to recognize the needs of rural communities.

The Coastal Elementary Schools span coastal towns in Changhua, Yunlin, Chiayi, Hualien, and Taitung. Many of the children served come from new immigrant and indigenous families. To highlight the diversity of the schools, program sponsor Chairman James Soong and anchor Shen Chunhua led children speaking different mother tongues in reciting the children’s poems “Do You Want a Star?” and “Applause,” in languages including Hokkien, Hakka, indigenous languages, and new immigrant languages. Through the poetry readings, they conveyed the significance of volunteers providing video reading companionship to the children, and encouraged everyone to cheer on these wonderful students and volunteers alike.

The Coastal Elementary Schools span coastal towns in Changhua, Yunlin, Chiayi, Hualien, and Taitung. Many of the children served come from new immigrant and indigenous families. To highlight the diversity of the schools, program sponsor Chairman James Soong and anchor Shen Chunhua led children speaking different mother tongues in reciting the children’s poems “Do You Want a Star?” and “Applause,” in languages including Hokkien, Hakka, indigenous languages, and new immigrant languages. Through the poetry readings, they conveyed the significance of volunteers providing video reading companionship to the children, and encouraged everyone to cheer on these wonderful students and volunteers alike.

He Feipeng, chairman of the Citystate Foundation, delivered a speech on behalf of the organizers, sharing an African proverb: “It takes a village to raise a child.” Especially in this era of declining birthrates, every child is precious, and rural children in resource-scarce areas need even more support. The Coastal Elementary School program is about to enter its 10th year—it’s a platform of love that unites the strength of all Taiwan to nurture our next generation. He expressed gratitude to the many sponsoring organizations, partners, and volunteers for their dedication, using technology to break through geographical barriers so that every caring organization and individual can contribute to helping children in need far away.

Former President Ma Ying-jeou recorded a special message of encouragement and blessing. He said the Citystate Foundation was truly forward-thinking—10 years ago, it anticipated that “livestreamers” would be kids’ favorites. Reading volunteers, who spend 30 minutes weekly via video calls to read with rural children, are just like storytellers who respond in real time—making them “livestreamers.” Therefore, the reunion event is essentially a grand “online meetup.” The service provided by Coastal Elementary Schools doesn’t take up much of volunteers’ time, yet meets the reading and companionship needs of rural children. The confidence, growth, and transformation seen in all the children today are plain for all to see—proof that the school model is highly worthwhile for promoting rural education.