Project Background:
Since February 2022, the Russo-Ukrainian War has disrupted regional peace and heightened geopolitical tensions around the world. The war has caused severe casualties on both sides, and millions of Ukrainians had been displaced and even fled their country, including children, in search of peace and freedom that many of us took for granted.
While much of the world focused on the Russo-Ukrainian War, the surprise Hamas-led attack against Israel on October 7, 2023, and the subsequent Israeli military retaliation, had turned the Gaza Strip into a bloody war zone. Over the last few months, lives were lost, families were torn apart, and children were displaced. The only normalcy for the millions still living in Gaza today is the unpredictable nature of what will happen tomorrow.
Children are not, and cannot be, the collateral damage to any human conflict, especially for children still attending school or acquiring skills necessary for their continued growth and development. Since the conflicts first began, millions of children have been forced to leave their homeland, unable to attend classes and participate in activities befitting of their age. With the end of Russo-Ukrainian War no where in sight, the adverse impact on school-age children will be deep and lasting.
We, the children of Taiwan, are keenly aware of the devastating consequences that Ukrainians need to confront, endure, and overcome everyday amidst relentless military assaults that have savaged their homeland. We might not be able to stop the war and bring peace back to the region, but we are ready, willing, and able to help the children of Ukraine in their continued education with instructional videos that cannot be denied by time, space, or even war.
The Driving Force Behind the Project:
The “Education Across Borders” idea was first conceived by Miss Lucy R. Wu, a soon-to-be10th grader who’s interested in helping the less fortunate and narrowing socioeconomic gap between the haves and the have-nots.
After meeting with her teachers at school and numerous discussions with her father, Dr. Raymond R. Wu, Lucy decided to be proactive and pursue actions to alleviate the disruptive impact on Ukrainian children to a minimum. “Education Across Borders (EXB)” project was subsequently conceived and launched soon thereafter.
For starters, Lucy called on her classmates and friends throughout Taiwan and in the United States, Canada, and Japan, to explain her thinking and ideas. It took almost six months before she and her friends were on the same page and moving the project forward.
With the help of parents and teachers, Lucy and friends subsequently registered a non-profit civic organization, “Education Across Borders Association (教育無國界協會),” to set up and oversee the operations of the project. Lucy also proceeded to nominate an “Executive Committee” of five that will conduct routine activities, review submitted instructional videos, and plan events of the Association in the coming year. IV. Why “Education Across Borders (EXB)” project is important? * Besides helping the children of Ukraine and other war-torn areas, Education Across Borders (EXB)” project plans to inform the younger generations of Taiwanese of their international responsibility and inspire them to help sustain the education of children in areas threatened by war —the first step in becoming an international citizen with a world view.
Taiwan received substantial needed assistance from friends near or far during COVID-19. In turn, the island offered millions of face masks, among other things, to countries thirsty for first-line protection against the virus. Indeed, Taiwan can help, and this time Taiwan’s youth are united in helping others through education that knows no boundaries.
Children are not, and cannot be, the collateral damage to any human conflict. Indeed, it is the children’s rights to grow up in a safe and nurturing environment conducive to their long-term health and development. It is a shared goal across times and borders, and it starts today with the “Education Across Borders” project!