2025-6-10

 

The group photo


On May 28, the Zhishan Foundation held a press conference to mark its 30th anniversary. It announced that in 2024, the organization had served over 350,000 children and young adults in Taiwan, Vietnam, Yunnan, and Myanmar. Looking ahead, Zhishan is preparing to expand its operations to Bhutan and Sri Lanka. In Taiwan, it will also deepen its services for mothers and infants of indigenous households. 


Speaking at the press conference, Zhishan CEO Jay Hung noted that since its establishment, the foundation had focused on cross-cultural child development. He added that Zhishan had always striven to reach children and adolescents in the most remote and resource-starved areas. “We are not concerned about the scope, but the depth of service,” Hung said. “Because of our in-depth approach, we can build up the scope of substantive services for 350,000 clients. So, we will continue to work in the spirit of embracing multiculturalism and empowering and accompanying those in need.”


Hung further explained that Zhishan’s future strategy in its four Asian service areas would take the following directions:

  • Taiwan: Services based on the concept of trauma-informed care to improve the welfare of mothers and infants of indigenous households, starting with support and accompaniment during pregnancy to ensure that no child is left behind. Zhishan will also continue to promote its ethnically-friendly school campus project to eliminate ethnic discrimination and create safe development environments for young people.
  • Vietnam: In cooperation with the government of Taiwan’s New Southbound Policy, Zhishan’s talent development project will initially be based on training local social workers before advancing to management training.
  • Yunnan: Continue local services and in-depth community programs to strengthen mental health care for children and adolescents. 
  • Myanmar: In response to the earthquake in March, Zhishan and its long-term partner Meikswe Myanmar, a nonprofit organization, will launch a five-year post-disaster recovery and life rebuilding plan.