Building Bridges with Words
Building Bridges with Words: Our Inspiring Partnership with the Hands Up Project
At Inspired Kids and Inspired CPD, we believe in the power of connection and the transformative potential of creative expression. For us, it isn’t just about learning English. That's why our partnership with the Hands Up Project has been such a rewarding journey, enriching the lives of our students in Taiwan in profound ways.
Our collaboration has blossomed into a vibrant exchange of creativity and understanding. From the heartfelt poems penned by our students in "Together on Golden Sands" to the engaging remote theatre and poetry sessions that some of them took part in, as well as the dynamic drama-infused summer and winter camps, our collaboration has opened up new worlds for our young learners.
Therefore, "Together on Golden Sands" is more than just ink on paper; it's a testament to the bridges built through language and imagination. Within its pages, the voices of young Taiwanese children resonate, demonstrating the incredible capacity of foreign language learning to foster a genuine connection with the wider world. These poems offer a unique window into experiences far removed from their own, nurturing empathy and a deeper understanding of different perspectives.
Our partnership with the Hands Up Project underscores a vital truth: the future lies in the hands of those who choose to connect, to empathize, and to understand. "Together on Golden Sands" serves as a beautiful memory of these connections, a collection that moves beyond linguistic technicalities to showcase the blossoming seeds of hope and the promise of a more connected tomorrow. you can buy the book Here.
We are immensely proud of our partnership with the Hands Up Project and the profound impact it has had on our students. We invite you to explore the sincerity and insight within "Together on Golden Sands" and join us in building a better world.
Student responses
The poetry event provided a rare opportunity to connect personally with people on the other side of the world and in a massively different situation to the students in Taiwan. The pictures and the stories of the inspiration for the artists provided insight into both the similarities and stark contrasts in the lives they are leading. For some of the children who were more aware of the situation in Gaza, it provided an opportunity to share what they knew and enlighten their classmates. The image of the serene beach took on a whole new meaning once students realised that people were not there through choice. It wasn’t the fun, family destination the students assumed, choice of destination was replaced by obligation, they were there to survive. Understandably, it was a scenario that defied all their preconceptions, and as such was difficult to comprehend.
The sadness of the image of mother and child immediately resonated with numerous students. The desire the students had to express their feelings as accurately as possible, despite the limitations of their English levels, was inspiring. In one poem, Azolla the Earth, two students collaborated and used a traditional form of lyrical Chinese poetry (滿江紅) to produce a poem so rich in imagery it was hard to comprehend how an 11 and a 9-year-old were able to craft it. The creative process had taken their minds way beyond the borders of Taiwan, provoking an astounding level of reflection and introspection for such young children.