Our Story
Our story began with a message in a three-person group chat:
'50 undocumented immigrant babies hidden in the mountains like refugees.'
Reading further, and 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 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.
In those early days, we discovered something powerful —
music brought light back into the room.
A guitar.
A shared rhythm.
A moment of laughter.
Music became our first bridge.
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 they cared.
Over time, we understood something deeper.
The challenge was not only about temporary support.
Many of these children lacked stable medical care.
Without nationality, they were excluded from
Taiwan's national health insurance system,
and a simple illness could become financially devastating.
At the same time, we noticed something else.
Many students wanted to help,
but felt they were 'just students' —
lacking the guidance, structure,
and platform to turn intention into sustained action.
So we chose to build one.
The Lantern Foundation was created
not only to support children,
but to empower students to step into responsibility and transform concern into commitment.
Today,
supported by a network of volunteers across schools,
we continue to stand alongside children
through care and advocacy —
while building a system where young people
learn to lead through action.