Sustainability
We recognize the integral relationship between Welhunt Group’s sustainable development and the local community. Therefore, we actively participate in various community initiatives to contribute to and bolster the development of the local area. Our charitable initiatives are in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), specifically targeting SDG 1: No Poverty, SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being, SDG 4: Quality Education, and SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities, SDG 13: Climate Action.
These goals not only reflect our commitment to social well-being but also encompass our practices in environmental protection, demonstrating our determination to actively support global sustainable development. By actively participating in various public welfare activities, we hope to create a more inclusive and sustainable future and contribute to the overall progress of society.
In 2023, Welhunt supported the Baishan Social Welfare Charity Foundation and a renowned nonprofit organization to provide essential support and services to vulnerable groups. This included assisting disadvantaged families, covering the rental costs for after-school educational activities for underprivileged children, supporting efforts to improve urban and rural environments, and promoting community development. We also recognized the need for additional resources in the development of sports in Taiwan. By supporting the Ministry of Education’s Sports Administration, we contributed to the promotion of nationwide sports initiatives, aiming to enhance the physical and mental well-being of the entire population.
Moreover, we actively participated in industry-academic collaborations, particularly in the area of forest carbon sequestration in Taiwan. We provided students with practical opportunities to apply their knowledge, helping them understand the potential and calculation methods of forest carbon sequestration, thereby contributing to climate action strategies. Through these tangible efforts and an investment of NT$30,555,000 to support nonprofit organizations in their continued service provision, we brought about meaningful change for those in need while also enhancing the well-being of society as a whole.
In addition to initiating public welfare activities in Taiwan, Welhunt Group continues to explore diverse ways of engaging in social initiatives. Since early 2023, our affiliated company in Cambodia established a Chinese language school, which continues to offer free learning spaces, teaching staff, and educational resources to residents of the surrounding community.
Social Welfare – Caring for Disadvantaged Groups
In 2023, the Baishan Social Welfare Charity Foundation (hereafter referred to as the Baishan Foundation), with the support of Welhunt’s directors and several supportive entrepreneurs, provided critical support and services to vulnerable groups. The primary recipients of the foundation’s assistance included families with members who have physical or mental disabilities, families of patients with serious illnesses, families experiencing significant hardships, and families of children with special medical conditions. These supported families were primarily located in Kaohsiung City, with some in Changhua County and Yunlin County, totaling assistance to 15 families, with beneficiaries ranging in age from 10 to 75 years.
This assistance helped struggling families navigate difficult times, allowing them to rebuild a stable foundation for their lives. Many of the supported families had children who were attending school, and the aid provided has alleviated the financial burden on these families, enabling the children to pursue better educational opportunities.
The need for assistance was primarily identified through community leaders, direct requests for help, and recommendations from the foundation’s directors. The review process included home visits and the submission of property and tax certificates, as well as cross-referencing other social welfare subsidies to avoid the misuse of social welfare resources. In general, home visits were conducted at the start and conclusion of each case, with special cases being visited monthly. In 2023, some recipients experienced significant positive changes, including single-parent families and families with members who have disabilities. With the support of the Baishan Foundation, through emergency financial aid and the provision of appropriate social resources, these families were able to achieve or move closer to the goal of self-sufficiency.
Based on its previous experiences in emergency assistance and donations to local after-school care institutions, Welhunt has keenly observed the current need for more social workers and service resources in the protection of disadvantaged children and youth. As a result, starting in 2023, Welhunt has been actively working to elevate the Baishan Foundation from a regional to a national foundation, expanding the scope of assistance and aligning Welhunt’s social engagement strategy more closely with the goal of ensuring the health and well-being of children and youth. The Baishan Foundation successfully received approval for this transformation from the relevant authorities in the first half of 2024, and it is expected to complete the final registration changes by September 2024.
To support the expansion of social assistance services, Welhunt endorsed the expansion of the foundation’s operational team in late 2023 by hiring two full-time professional social workers to engage in strategic planning and the introduction of specialized resources. As a result, in 2024, the foundation will introduce additional educational support programs and provide more detailed emergency assistance services. The breakdown of the overall funding utilization is as follows:
- Emergency Assistance: In 2024, we will further expand our partnerships, adding collaborations with the social welfare centers of Kaohsiung and Taoyuan Government Hospitals, school counseling offices, World Vision, the Taiwan Fund for Children and Families, the Eden Social Welfare Foundation, and the social affairs bureaus of various county and city governments to better understand social needs. Additionally, we will introduce appropriate resources and job opportunities, such as assisting with training programs for individuals with disabilities, promoting self-sufficiency and employment among disadvantaged groups, and helping the foundation achieve its goals.
- Subsidies for Child and Youth Care Centers: Starting in 2024, the Baishan Foundation will collaborate with at least 10 frontline after-school care centers for children and youth across Taiwan. These centers serve children and youth from highly vulnerable families. Given the limited human resources at these centers, the Baishan Foundation will work closely with them to understand their specific needs and provide customized teaching staff and activity planning to enrich educational resources and strengthen protective networks. The support programs will include a variety of themed activities and courses, with instructors and content arranged by the foundation. The content design will reflect the core principles of Baishan Foundation’s work with children: empathy, teamwork, trauma-informed care, local culture, and physical activity. Through high-quality teaching staff and learning content, we aim to create positive learning experiences for children while allowing social workers and teachers at the centers to take a break and become observers of the children’s progress.
Core Value
- According to statistics, every year in Taiwan, 57,000 cases of vulnerable families and 56,000 cases of child and youth protection are reported, with the juvenile crime rate increasing by 47% over the past eight years, and the rate of poverty being passed down to children at 12%.
- The Baishan Social Welfare Charity Foundation takes concrete actions to support service centers for disadvantaged children and youth across Taiwan, providing financial assistance to individuals and families facing various adversities. We strive to create a meaningful childhood for children and accompany everyone in need, helping them live well and continue moving forward.
Beneficiary Story
Ricky (a pseudonym) has a childhood story that is not uncommon among disadvantaged families. When Ricky was in kindergarten, his parents divorced. In middle school, he had conflicts with his father and later faced the trauma of his father’s death. He was taken in by his stepmother and brought to Kaohsiung, but because she had her own family, she could only rent a small apartment for Ricky and his brother. Ricky’s overwhelming guilt and the sudden change in his environment threw his adolescence into turmoil.
After the Baishan Foundation intervened, they provided a monthly living allowance and helped Ricky transfer to a new middle school, where he joined the weightlifting team. He showed great potential and qualified to represent Kaohsiung in the National High School Games. This competition marked a milestone in Ricky’s growth, as he began to realize that he could take control of his life through his own efforts.
Baishan’s Philosophy: Adolescence is a crucial period of transformation in life. The Foundation provides financial assistance, support, and care, hoping to be a guiding light during this critical phase of their growth.
Social Welfare – Chinese Language School in Cambodia
In early 2023, the founder of Welhunt established a Chinese language school in Cambodia with the aim of offering free Chinese education to the local residents. The establishment of the school aims to offer local residents opportunities to enhance their quality of life. In recent years, Cambodia has encountered a shortage of individuals proficient in Chinese language skills. As a result, establishing a school is seen as a crucial step in addressing this talent gap. Furthermore, we have the ability to assist local children in enhancing their language skills, communication abilities, and self-assurance through the transformative force of education.
In the initial stages of the Chinese language school’s establishment, local staff from Welhunt’s affiliated company in Cambodia actively visited nearby villages and schools, discovering that many children were unable to attend school or had dropped out due to transportation challenges. The school offers classes in three time slots, attracting 40 to 50 elementary and junior high school students. As we gained a deeper understanding of the students’ abilities, we gradually implemented class divisions based on proficiency. By 2024, some students had even taken on the role of junior instructors, with participants ranging in age from elementary to high school. The teaching team, consisting of two passionate teachers, also introduced English courses, expanding the school’s educational scope, and offering Chinese and English classes on weekends, which attracted around 20 students.
The school utilizes a diverse range of teaching materials to design modular courses, including resources from the Overseas Community Affairs Council of Taiwan. The curriculum emphasizes comprehensive development in listening, speaking, reading, and writing, with a focus on practical application. A variety of interactive activities are incorporated into the lessons. The Chinese language school has become more than just a place for language education; it has also become a vital gathering place for children in the community to connect emotionally. The students come from diverse backgrounds, including single-parent families or those cared for by elderly relatives. Before and after class, the children gather to play on the expansive cashew drying grounds and soft lawns, growing in a high-quality learning environment and forming deep friendships and interpersonal connections.
The free education provided by the Chinese language school, along with the support from the community, has had a positive and lasting impact on the children’s future. We also recognize that the establishment and operation of this school are the result of the collective efforts of the surrounding community, and we express our gratitude to the local residents for their support and involvement. Welhunt Cambodia will continue to offer high-quality educational opportunities and community care initiatives, making positive contributions to the development of the local community. We believe that these efforts will not only change the lives of the local children but also create a brighter future for the entire community, fostering mutual growth and prosperity alongside Welhunt Cambodia.
Core Values of the Chinese Language School
We aim to create a comprehensive educational environment that combines language education, teamwork, and personal growth, promoting the holistic development of students.
- Language Education: The Chinese language school provides opportunities for learning Chinese, including the development of pronunciation, conversation, and reading and writing skills. Through these courses, students can acquire essential language skills, laying a solid foundation for future learning and career development.
- Social Integration: The school offers a platform for rural students to socialize and integrate. Here, children can make new friends, build social networks, and participate in various group activities and games, fostering their ability to collaborate and work as a team.
- Confidence and Growth: The school provides a stage for students to showcase and express themselves. Through learning Chinese and participating in diverse activities, students can enhance their confidence, demonstrating their abilities and talents, which is of great significance to their future development.
Industry-Academia Collaboration – Taiwan Forest Carbon Sequestration Research
Welhunt owns approximately 6.1 hectares of forest land in Neimen, Kaohsiung. In July 2022, the Group collaborated with a team of experts and scholars from the Department of Forestry and Natural Resources at National Ilan University, completing the research in March 2023. This research project employed carbon inventory methodologies recognized by international carbon certification bodies (such as GS, VCS, or CDM) to conduct a carbon sequestration assessment of the area. Through this study, we aimed to understand the carbon sequestration potential of the forest land and the methods for calculating it, thereby contributing to climate action strategies.
Through this industry-academia collaboration with National Ilan University, we provided students with a practical field to apply their knowledge, which will be a significant experience for their future careers. At the same time, they gained an understanding of the importance of forest management and carbon sequestration for businesses in the context of the net-zero transition goal. This collaboration ultimately resulted in a win-win situation for the university, the students, and Welhunt.
Graduate students established sample plots and conducted sampling and surveys within them.
Research Methodology
The research team collected aerial images of the Neimen site using drones and created orthophotos as well as a 3D topographic model of the forest. After excluding areas designated as farmland and building sites, 15 sample plots were established on approximately 5 hectares of sloped land using systematic sampling. Among these, 11 were standard plots measuring 25m by 20m, while the remaining 4 plots were adjusted to 10m by 10m due to environmental and slope factors. Each living tree with a diameter at breast height (DBH) of over 5 cm was individually numbered, identified, and measured for height and diameter. These measurements served as parameters for calculating the stock volume of different tree species. The stock volume was then converted into total biomass, which was further converted into the carbon storage of the trees using a carbon conversion factor.
Neimen Forest 3D Topographic Model
Sample Plot Planning and Setup Map
Research Findings
Through the survey and research conducted in the sample plots, the total estimated carbon dioxide storage for the entire area was calculated to be 358.77 metric tons. Additionally, an information dashboard was created using Power BI to visually present the survey results from each sample plot, including forest composition, tree height distribution, DBH distribution, and conversion rates. This visual representation allows for easier comprehension of various forest characteristics and carbon sequestration data. Understanding the current state of carbon sequestration in the forest is only the beginning. Welhunt recognizes that continuous forest management and thinning are necessary to rejuvenate forest structures, thereby maximizing the carbon storage potential and increasing the possibility of obtaining more carbon credits.
Welhunt Neimen Forest Survey Results – Power BI Dashboard
