One-Forty “Book & Host Project” helps migrant workers integrate into Taiwan society

To help migrant workers integrate into Taiwan society, a non-profit organization One-Forty, raises funds every year to launch the "Book & Host Project", providing free learning resources to migrant workers. By sending exclusive Chinese learning materials, migrant workers who have just arrived in Taiwan can get free learning tools. Recently, the project has stood out from nearly 6,000 works and won the Japanese Good Design Award gold medal.

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Japan’s Good Design Award is one of the four major design awards in the world. (Photo / Retrieved from Facebook)

The Good Design Award was established in 1957 and is regarded as a Japanese award with the most historical status. It is on a par with the German Red dot design award, iF Design, and the American IDEA Award.

Facing tremendous changes caused by the pandemic, 2021 Japanese Good Design Award focuses on the theme of "Wish and Move" (希求、交動). The vice-chairman of the judging committee Seiichi Saito (齋藤精一) pointed out that design represents hopeful existence. It transforms tiny sprays into powerful waves, bringing new creations that make society better.

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One-Forty launched the "Book & Host Project" and won the Japanese Design Award. (Photo / Provided by One-Forty)

The chairman of the judging committee Aji Fulong (安次富隆) said that the award-winning "Book & Host Project" is not only about designing but also reshaping the journey of Southeast Asian migrant workers traveling to Taiwan. “Language barriers” and “cultural conflict” are the two most common dilemmas faced by migrant workers. This problem has also caused communication conflicts at workplaces, making it difficult for them to integrate into Taiwan society.

One-Forty, therefore, launched the "Book & Host Project" which is the first professional Chinese learning textbook specially designed based on the needs of migrant workers in Taiwan. The book uses Southeast Asia languages as the main language of teaching materials. Together with daily conversations commonly used in Taiwan such as taking public transport, shopping, seeing a doctor, expressing feelings, etc., the rich content and informative illustrations allow migrant workers to apply what they have learned to their daily lives.

The study package contains two letters, one for students and one for employers. (Photo / Provided by One-Forty)

In addition, to improve the learning environment for migrant workers at home, the learning package includes two letters. One is for them, and another is for their employers. One-Forty wishes the letters will be able to help the migrant workers to understand how to use the materials, and also let employers understand the reasons why migrant workers need this textbook to learn Chinese, creating a learning environment with mutual assistance and trust.