About Us

Our Story

How a message in a three-person group chat became a network of volunteers, a structured foundation, and a sea of lanterns.

Phase 01  ·  The Discovery

A message that was impossible to ignore.

Our story began with a message in a three-person group chat: "50 undocumented immigrant babies hidden in the mountains like refugees."

Reading further, what we discovered was difficult to ignore. Across Taiwan, children born to undocumented migrant workers were growing up without legal identity, healthcare access, or stable education. Their lives were shaped not by a single crisis, but by prolonged uncertainty. That realization unsettled us.

We didn't know what to do. But we knew we couldn't simply move on.

📺 Watch: PTS In-News Issue No. 524 — "The Home of the Dandelion Kids"

Phase 02  ·  The First Visits

Music became our first bridge.

We began visiting a nearby children's home mentioned in the article. What started as one visit gradually became consistent involvement. We read with the children, played music, and simply stayed.

"A guitar. A shared rhythm. A moment of laughter."

In those early days, we discovered something powerful — music brought light back into the room. It dissolved barriers that words couldn't. Music became our first bridge.

Phase 03  ·  The Movement Grows

A small gathering became something bigger.

We organized our first student-led fundraising concert. What began as a small gathering of friends grew into a structured volunteer system. More students joined — not because they had experience, but because they cared.

We also understood something deeper. These children lacked stable medical care. Without nationality, they were excluded from Taiwan's national health insurance system: an illness could become financially devastating for a family already living without legal protection.

Phase 04  ·  Building the Platform

So we chose to build one.

Many students wanted to help, but felt they were "just students" — lacking the guidance, structure, and platform to turn intention into action.

The Lantern Foundation was created not only to support children, but so that students can step into responsibility and transform concern into commitment.

Today, a network of volunteers across schools continues to stand alongside children through care and advocacy — while building a system where young people learn to lead through action.

From Three to Many

What began in a group chat now spans schools across Taipei.

Our Team

The people behind the lanterns.

Driven by empathy, structured by commitment — our team is built from students who believe that concern must become action.

Melanie Zhang 張若寧

Co-Founder · Chingshin Academy

I am someone who is deeply passionate about music and dedicated to organizing charity events. I hope to use music as a powerful tool for creating social impact. My experience volunteering at Harmony Home taught empathy, which became the core inspiration for why we started our organization.

Alvin Chen 陳宥寰

Co-Founder · Taipei Fuhsing Private School

I'm Alvin Chen, the co-founder of the Lantern Foundation. As a Christian, my faith in God inspires my commitment to serving others and building platforms where students can create meaningful social impact. In my free time, I enjoy outdoor activities, playing the French horn, and swimming.

Serena Chang

Co-Founder · Taipei Fuhsing Private School

I'm Serena Chang, the co-founder of the Lantern Foundation. I'm passionate about leadership, social impact, and turning ideas into action through collaboration and initiative. Outside of school, I love Model United Nations, music, and playing tennis.

Vera Kung 龔玟薰

Head of BrightNotes · Chingshin Academy

Hi, my name is Vera, the head of BrightNotes in Lantern. Having played the violin since the age of seven, I bring years of on-stage experience into managing performer recruitment, repertoire planning, and stage production. Besides music, water sports, skiing, and going to concerts are my favorite hobbies.

Evelyn Yu 於可甯

Head of LightAid & Research · Chingshin Academy

My name is Evelyn. I serve as the Head of Research and lead the LightAid Program at the Lantern Foundation. In this role, I focus on developing sustainable initiatives that support the long-term well-being and development of children at Harmony Home.

Daniel Chen 陳博恩

Head of Technology · Taipei Fuhsing Private School

Hey there — I'm Daniel Chen, head of the tech department and the person behind this website. When I'm not deep in code, you'll find me with a musical instrument in hand or tinkering with something tech-related. I recently picked up snowboarding...and somehow it's already taken over as my favorite sport.

Nicole Chen 陳華年

Head of Finance · Chingshin Academy

I'm Nicole and I contribute in the finance department. I hope that by participating in the Lantern Foundation and promoting music concerts, we can help improve both the living conditions and mental wellbeing of kids in Harmony Home.

Christine Chen 陳瑞妤

Secretary · Chingshin Academy

Hi!! I'm Christine Chen. I serve as the secretary of the Lantern Foundation, where I am responsible for managing volunteer scheduling. I enjoy bringing warmth and laughter to the people around me, and I have a wide range of interests — with skateboarding as my favorite.

Aaliyah Chen 陳宣慈

Head of Public Relations · Chingshin Academy

Hello, I'm Aaliyah. I currently serve as a PR representative at the Lantern Foundation, where I handle external communications and promotion. I have studied piano and flute since childhood, and I believe that doing what you love while helping others is truly meaningful.

Telvin Ju 朱昱翰

Head of Legal & HR · Taipei Fuhsing Private School

Hello! I'm Telvin, currently serving as the Head of Legal and HR. I focus on handling legal responsibilities while supporting and coordinating our volunteers to ensure everything runs smoothly. Outside of my work, I enjoy reading and golfing, which keep me energized and inspired.

Amy Yang 楊芝閔

Head of Media · Taipei Fuhsing Private School

Hi everyone, I'm Amy Yang, the media head of Lantern. I love socializing and making new friends. In my free time, I play guitar, sing, dance, or listen to music.

Who We Work With

Our Partners.

We don't work alone. Institutions and schools stand alongside us, lending the trust, access, and resources that let our branches reach further.

Institution

Harmony Home

Our volunteer team visits every weekend: 4 sessions a week, each 1.5 to 2 hours, offering children a caring presence through companionship, interaction, and music.

Beyond direct service, we pitch to institutions and organize public events to raise funds and awareness. Activities are planned in coordination with Harmony Home to align with their needs.

Through these collaborative efforts, we have raised over NTD 100,000 — all proceeds toward supporting the children at Harmony Home.

Institution

Global Quality International Education Association

The Global Quality International Education Association is a registered nonprofit whose core mission is cultivating the next generation's global perspective and sense of global citizenship — equipping students with the ability to understand, communicate, and act within a complex world.

The Association builds its educational system on three pillars: internationalized curriculum and teaching, cross-cultural experience and exchange, and global citizenship education and values development. Beyond weaving subjects like international politics, the global economy, and environmental science into its teaching, it offers international exchanges, overseas internships, and volunteer service so students can practice cross-cultural collaboration firsthand.

By deepening students' understanding of ethics, social responsibility, and human rights protection, the Association encourages attention to sustainable development and social justice — cultivating well-rounded international talent with global competitiveness, inclusivity, and a strong sense of responsibility.

School

Taipei Fuhsing Private School

Taipei Fuhsing Private School is a historic K–12 institution located in central Taipei. Beginning in Grade 1, students may follow either the Taiwanese curriculum or a bilingual international track modeled on the American education system, combining local educational traditions with international academic preparation.

School

Chingshin Academy

Established in 1951, Chingshin Academy has developed from a small nursery into an integrated educational community serving students from preschool through senior high school (Chingshin Academy High School). Its educational approach emphasizes depth of learning, character development, purpose, bilingual education and preparation for responsible global citizenship.

School

Asian American International Academy

Each weekend, student volunteers from the Asian American International Academy (AAIA) step outside their classrooms and into the community to support the mission of the Lantern Foundation. Standing in public spaces, they share the stories and purpose behind Lantern Foundation's work, inviting passersby to become part of something larger than themselves.

Through these efforts, students raise funds that directly support the charities and partner organizations the Lantern Foundation collaborates with. Every contribution collected not only represents financial support, but also reflects a growing network of people who believe that young individuals can take meaningful action to help others.

By participating in these fundraising activities, students learn how to communicate a cause, build trust with the public, and transform small acts of generosity into real impact.

School

Taipei American School

Founded in 1949, Taipei American School is an independent, English-language international school providing an American-based education with a global perspective. It serves students from pre-kindergarten through Grade 12 and offers both Advanced Placement courses and the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme.

School

Taipei Wego Private Senior High School

Taipei Wego Private Senior High School (also referred to as Taipei Wego Private Bilingual Senior High School) is a private secondary school located in Beitou District, Taipei. The school describes its approach as combining Eastern and Western education while emphasizing innovation, quality, responsibility and international learning opportunities.

School

Taipei Municipal Chien Kuo Senior High School

Established in 1898, Taipei Municipal Chien Kuo Senior High School — also spelled Taipei Municipal Jianguo High School — is a historic public senior high school for boys in Taipei. The school is known for its longstanding academic tradition, rich institutional culture and emphasis on cultivating broadly educated students through rigorous study and diverse learning experiences.

School

Taipei First Girls High School

Founded in 1904, Taipei First Girls High School is a leading public senior high school for girls with more than a century of history. The school emphasizes holistic education, balancing intellectual development, character, leadership, humanities, sciences and extensive extracurricular participation.

Ready to be a lantern?

Join a community of students turning concern into commitment.