First Mile; Kid's Smile

You might hear the story of Don Quixote before and have your own interpretation. A group of people in Taiwan give the story different meaning and live the moral of the story in their way.

The dream starts from chats among middle-age artists and writers. While the whole society is in fever of politics and talk shows, they simply want to devote their time and make a difference by their actions. They see the urban-rural divide in particular among children. Given the lack of facility and financial add in rural areas, many children there rarely have a chance to see various art plays. Also there are many parents who can’t afford to provide such opportunities to their next generation. As Daniel H. Pink wrote about six senses in his book, A Whole New Mind, “Design”, “Story”, “Symphony”, “Empathy”, “Play”, and “Meaning” are keys toward “Conceptual Age”. These founders decide to walk the first mile with kids and perform their plays in every single town in Taiwan. The great initiative is called “319-Township Art Project for Children”.

These Don Quixotes wish to inspire and give fair opportunities to children in Taiwan through their plays. The mission of this project indicates: “We want to make children’s drama not only be simply presented but also bring kids creative ideas and a great banquet with the beauty of visuals.” The plays are full of fantasies and creativeness. Although the target audience is set to be children, everyone who enjoy the performance is across the border of ages. You will be impressed by the flying color sticks shining in the dark, and the next moment a great story, “the journey of an eight-year-old” (八歲一個人去旅行) based on a true story of a well-known director, Wu Nien-Jen, may touch your heard deep inside and connect your life experience.

Despite of challenges in funding, they prefer fund raised from the public instead of the government. “Involvement from the public is more meaningful than the financial support is”, written at the 319 project’s website. The Paper Windmill Theatre, where these dreamers are mainly from, is dedicated to this ambitious but tough task.

The project began since December 24, 2006 and went to over 130 townships and cities already. The number still keeps increasing. Each showing costs around NT$ 350,000, which is very tight to make it work. From logistics perspective, the amount is almost “mission impossible”. Luckily, their dedication also motivates and mobilizes more people in Taiwan. More than 10,000 people donated, and total raised funds are over NT$ 50 million. As the shows have performed in almost every corner in Taiwan, grass-root fund has become the main financing source. A donator can either specify the place he/she prefers or let the money go to those areas without sufficient budget. Other than credit card, remittance via Post Office, and/or ATM, Chunghwa Telecom also provides its mobile service as a platform for fund raising. You can simply dial “511319” to choose up to NT$3,000 every month. Yang Ming Group, CSC Group, JP Morgan, and many other companies also stand for this project through continuous sponsorship.

A little stream will gather others’ strength together and become a great river eventually towards the vast ocean. The project is still on going, and you may see those great plays around your neighborhood. Go there and see them. You will see the difference they are making!

Source:

Project 319 website: http://www.319kidsmile.org/;http://www.wretch.cc/blog/kidsmile

319 photo gallery: http://www.wretch.cc/blog/haomei&category_id=7428047