It’s not about donating money—we want you to donate your ‘time’ instead. Whether they’re children from remote areas or those without parental care, what they need most is love and companionship. Through a digital platform, the Deer Antler Project invites you to donate your time, accompany these children with love, and help their dreams flourish.
Project Description:
If you have two free hours on a Saturday in the near future, please donate them to us. Your two hours can become a year’s worth of learning opportunities and hope for children from remote areas or those without parental care.
[Who Are We?]
We are Qihe, a digital advertising agency. We are a team of planners and creatives—some skilled in photography, some in storytelling, some easily moved. We are also children with parents, and even parents ourselves. We have dreams and are fortunate enough to be able to realize them, so we understand the longing to achieve one’s dreams. “Connecting the beauty of the world” is our brand spirit, so whenever we have the chance, we strive to make a difference—even if it’s just a little—to spread love and goodness as far as we can.
[Why Did We Start?]
Due to a project requirement, we visited the Hualien Aboriginal Children’s Home. Although the project wasn’t ultimately carried out, after several visits, we were struck by the realization that for these children, the joy and fulfillment from material donations pale in comparison to just a few hours of accompanying them in class or play. Through companionship, children can regain the love and warmth they may have lost from adults, and gain more positive energy. The home’s staff told us that behind every child here is an unbearable story, which is hard to imagine when looking at their innocent faces—and even more heartbreaking.
During our first visit, we had a meal with the children and watched them practice dancing. In less than half a day, when it was time to leave, the children were already asking with reluctance, “Will you come back, big brothers and sisters?” None of us had the heart to refuse, but no one could promise anything either—we could only nod with a smile.
We didn’t want to let the children down again—that’s why we started this.
Asking one person to commit 365 days of companionship might be too much, but if we gather 120 minutes from many people, we can create a whole year of happiness for these children—wouldn’t that be much easier? That’s how the idea of “donating time” was born. We decided to create a website to collect time, plan a year-long schedule of joyful classes for the children, or share photos and stories to show them the world outside, helping them hold onto hope, believe they are worthy of love, and gain the opportunity to pursue their own dreams.
[What Is the Deer Antler Project?]
The antlers on a deer’s head branch out and grow over time, symbolizing the maturation of a young deer and serving as a brave emblem of self-protection. Antlers have the ability to regenerate, continuously growing upward and branching out—each one unique and beautiful to the deer. The Deer Antler Project hopes that through continuous companionship and care, children without parental care or resources can also grow up happily in love, bravely realize their dreams, and grow their own beautiful and unique antlers.
The Deer Antler Project is not a one-time event for a specific organization, but rather a concept and a digital fundraising platform. Its goal is to integrate small, scattered efforts into long-term, deep care and companionship for those in need. In 2014, the Deer Antler Project came to the Hualien Aboriginal Children’s Home to provide a year-long companionship program. This is just the first stop for the Deer Antler Project. With everyone’s selfless participation, we hope this project will continue year after year, benefiting more organizations and children, allowing love to spread infinitely through sharing.
[How Can You Help?]
Visit the Deer Antler Project (link) website, choose a Saturday morning or afternoon, then take a scenic train ride to Xincheng, Hualien. Spend two hours teaching the children a class—whether it’s painting, cooking, or arts and crafts—you’ll become a small teacher on the Happy Class Schedule.
Go to the Deer Antler Project (link) website, upload photos of your hometown or travel destinations, and share little stories with the children through text, so they can see the wonders and beauty of the world through the other side of the screen.
Since the Hualien Aboriginal Children’s Home has limited funding, all transportation, teaching materials, or props required for the classes must be covered by the volunteer teachers themselves. However, the director warmly welcomes volunteers to stay and have lunch with the children after class. To avoid putting a burden on the home, we ask those who support the Deer Antler Project to not only donate their time but also sponsor NT$100 to cover the cost of lunch on the day of the class. If you’re unable to attend in person but still want to do something for the children, you’re welcome to sponsor the lunch and share a story with the children through text and photos on the Deer Antler Project website.
Deer Antler Project - Donate Time to Accompany: http://ideer.iprefer.com.tw/
FlyingV Meal Sponsorship Project: http://www.flyingv.cc/project/2217