At a press conference on Dec. 28, 2009, Hank Du, Executive Director of World Vision Taiwan and Ou Chin-Der, Chairman of Taiwan High Speed Rail (THSR) kicked off the “Passing Love On at High Speed for Educational Aid” project to benefit impoverished children across Taiwan.

This project will start from January 1 to March 7, 2010 and help nearly 45,000 students who cannot afford their tuition.

During his remarks, Ou Chin-Der said: “Time flies and THSR will soon move forward into its fourth year of operation. THSR has faced many kinds of difficulties over the past three years, including its own financial problems, the global financial crisis, and Typhoon Morakot disaster. However, difficulties and disasters are good opportunities to realise potential and show love for people.”

“In commitment to THSR’ corporate social responsibility, THSR provided around 60,000 seats for rescuers in the Typhoon Morakot response. To commemorate our third anniversary, THSR further extends its care for poor children. We are glad to partner with World Vision Taiwan that has a good reputation for helping poor students,” said Ou Chin-Der.

Ou Chin-Der emphasized: “THSR hopes that this project will help to make peace and attract many loving people to make contributions.”

Du thanked THSR for supporting World Vision and praised THSR for its good performance over the past three years. THSR has shortened the distance between people and today, THSR has also increased the speed of passing love by promoting this project. He believed this educational aid project would be implemented more efficiently with THSR’s support.

From January 5 to March 7 2010, “Passing Love On” pamphlets will be made available to THSR passengers while riding in rail cars. With these pamphlets, passengers will be able to learn more about the educational aid project and given an opportunity to contribute. In addition, photo booths will be set up at seven rail stations (except for Taipei and Banciao train stations) where passengers can purchase specially designed post cards with their picture for NT$30. All proceeds from photo booths will go towards the educational aid project.

World Vision and THSR are also partnering to fundraise online through Yahoo! Auction. Beginning on January 5, 2010, World Vision will auction off items that have been stored in THSR’s ‘Lost and Found’. Auction items include valuable electronic products, such as the Nintendo Wii, video cameras and digital cameras.

To commemorate their third year of operation, World Vision will also auction two special edition THSR one-day passes.

Every semester, World Vision Taiwan provides educational aid for over 40,000 students who cannot afford their tuition. University students or above can get tuition aid of NT$ 10,000, senior high school students NT$ 5,000, junior high and primary school students NT$ 2,500. Besides, students living in remote villages can get transportation subsidies from NT$1,000 to NT$ 4,000, or housing rental allowances from NT $2,000 to NT$8,000.

World Vision Taiwan plans to help nearly 45,000 poor students with tuition aid in 2010. World Vision Taiwan and THSR call on the public to make contributions to the educational aid project. THSR passengers will be encouraged to use the pamphlets and donations envelopes available on rail cars for financial contributions and to enjoy the photo booths at rail stations. Those who donate over NT$ 1,000 will get a cell phone ornament from THSR.