The sixth edition of the “KEEP WALKING Dreams Project,” hosted by Diageo, has unveiled its list of winners. This year, the company is granting NT$10 million in “Dream Starter Grants” to 10 winners, including two born in the 1980s. The winning projects focus primarily on supporting disadvantaged groups, with ecological conservation also remaining a key theme.
Among the 10 winners is Zheng Shuyun, who has polio. Determined to prevent others with similar conditions from facing the same barriers to realizing their dreams, she aims to leverage online resources to create an accessible travel route around Taiwan specifically for people with polio, helping more mobility-impaired individuals explore new horizons. Meanwhile, Lai Shusheng, who has lived overseas for many years and is engaged in humanitarian work in the Thailand-Myanmar border region, helps local residents boost their economy and increase job opportunities through the production and sale of organic cotton handicrafts—ultimately improving their quality of life and education standards.
Additionally, Shen Xinning, just 21 years old and the youngest winner in the project’s history, plans to establish a free cross-strait educational website. Currently a sophomore in university, she grew up in a low-income family and deeply believes that education is the only way out. She is committed to securing equal learning opportunities for underprivileged children and has built the “An-An Free Learning Website” using her expertise to help these students strengthen their knowledge.
This year’s winners include Yu Xinyi, who is dedicated to tracking humpback dolphins and raising public awareness about ecological preservation; Chen Yanbo, just 23 years old, who is about to embark on an expedition to the Arctic and take on a grueling journey at -37°C; Gao Zhengzhong, who supports underprivileged children in pursuing higher education; Zhan Jialong, who focuses on grassroots education to preserve the vibrant life of Taiwan’s purple crow butterflies; Xu Mingqian, who is building a volunteer trail center with love and sweat to reshape the relationship between humans and nature; Zhao Jianmin, who uses digital technology to archive sign language culture and bring hope to hearing-impaired individuals in Taiwan; and Huang Yingxiong, who promotes live-recorded movie narration to open the door to art for visually impaired people.
Since its launch in late September 2009, the sixth “KEEP WALKING Dreams Project” underwent a three-phase selection process including preliminary review, secondary review, and final judging. Ten winners were selected based on four criteria: the “positive social impact” of their dreams, “creativity/foresight,” “feasibility of execution,” and “consistency in pursuit.” Each awardee received approximately NT$1 million in “Dream Starter Grants,” bringing the total prize money to NT$10 million.
→ Click here: Return to the Attractions homepage
→ Click here: Read more travel news
Further reading: Enjoy barrier-free architectural experiences (provided by Tripass Attractions)
