A Special Day for Seed and Tree Collective

Yenping
Dec 19, 2025
4 min read

November 23, 2025 will always remain a meaningful milestone for the Seed and Tree Collective Organization. On this day, we completed our first mission in the Atayal Village of Jianshi Township, Hsinchu County, Taiwan.

Under a bright blue sky, our volunteers gathered with the children at the entrance of the Matai Old Trail. The Organization invited a local environmental educator to guide the group—letting nature become the classroom and the forest become the textbook—so the children could reconnect with the land that nurtures them.

As we walked along the trail, the children’s personalities emerged naturally:

some lively and playful, others gentle and quiet.

Each volunteer accompanied one or two children, and many touching interactions unfolded along the way.

When a child grew tired and stopped walking, a volunteer would kneel down to listen patiently, or even carry the child for a short distance. Once the children felt understood, their energy quickly returned, and they ran ahead again.

One imaginative boy picked up stones, tapping them on the ground and declaring the unbroken pieces “diamonds” to sell to volunteers. Instead of correcting him, the volunteers embraced his creativity and joined in his game. In that moment, I saw what true acceptance and respect look like.

At the end of the trail, an Atayal cultural arts educator taught everyone how to weave hemp water-bottle carriers. Through this activity, the children deepened their connection to their cultural roots. Some became impatient, some felt unsure, but the volunteers remained steady companions—guiding, encouraging, and affirming them. By the end, every child completed their piece and wore an expression of genuine pride.

The afternoon public speaking class left an even deeper impression on me.

From the children’s distracted excitement in the morning to their focused engagement in the afternoon, the transformation was unmistakable.

I truly believe this shift came from the care, encouragement, and unconditional acceptance they received from the volunteers.

When children feel safe, understood, and valued, they develop the confidence to stand before others and speak from the heart.

A simple gesture—a caring question, a gentle hug, a respectful gaze—may seem small, but for a child, these moments can become the love and acknowledgment they have longed for.

The mission of the Seed and Tree Collective Organization is to help children build confidence and leadership through communication and public speaking. We hope that one day, these children will speak up for their communities, protect their natural environment, and preserve their cultural heritage—becoming guardians of both the land and their traditions.

We extend our heartfelt appreciation to our donors, volunteers, and everyone who made this mission possible.

We also warmly welcome more people to join us—whether through donations or volunteer service—as we plant seeds of education together and watch them grow into strong, sustaining trees for the future of the children and the village.

Learn more at

seedandtreecollective.com

2025 年 11 月 23 日，對種子和樹基金會而言，是一個值得永遠記住的日子。

那天，我們在台灣新竹縣尖石鄉泰雅族的馬胎部落，完成了基金會成立後的第一個任務。

天氣晴朗、空氣清新，我們基金會的志工與來自部落的小朋友一同在馬胎古道的入口集合。基金會特別聘請了一位當地的環境教育者，以自然為教室、以山林為教材，帶著孩子們沿著古道前行，認識屬於他們土地的自然資源。

踏上古道後，每個孩子的個性逐漸顯露：

有人調皮、有人活潑、有人安靜乖巧。

志工們每人照顧一至兩位孩子，而在陪伴的過程中，我看見許多令人動容的瞬間。

當有孩子停下腳步、不想再往上爬時，志工會蹲下來耐心詢問他的感受；有的甚至默默地背起孩子一小段路。當孩子的情緒被看見、疲憊被理解，他們的力量又回來了，重新往前走。

還有一位調皮又充滿想像力的小朋友，喜歡撿起石頭往地上砸。他把沒有碎掉的石頭視作「鑽石」，開心地要賣給志工。志工沒有責備，也沒有否定；反而進入孩子的世界，與他的想像一起共舞。那一刻，我看見的是最純粹的接納與尊重。

走到古道終點後，我們邀請泰雅族的文化藝術教育者，教孩子們編織麻繩水壺袋，讓他們透過創作認識自己的文化。有些孩子缺乏耐心、注意力不集中；有些對自己沒信心，覺得無法完成作品。但志工們一直陪著孩子們，一步一步引導、給予鼓勵、給予肯定。最後，孩子們完成了自己的作品。那份驕傲與自信，清楚地寫在他們臉上。

下午的公眾表達課程更讓我驚艷。從上午的調皮分心，到下午的專心投入，孩子們都展現出完全不同的精神面貌。