On the morning of April 1, 2025, Zhang Yinjun, President of the Beijing Changier Education Foundation, was invited to attend a public welfare event organized by the Chou Ta-Kuan Cultural and Educational Foundation. A group of eight people crossed borders to the Cisarua Refugee Shotokan Karate Club in Indonesia to bring warmth and hope to refugees from Afghanistan and other countries who are stranded there. This charity event is not only a tribute to the spirit of resilient life but also an embodiment of the charitable concept "Love Without Borders."

The Harsh Reality: The Plight of Stranded Refugees

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) primarily provides emergency assistance and basic living necessities such as food, water, and temporary shelter for refugees worldwide, while host country governments typically designate specific areas for refugee accommodation. However, basic needs like education, healthcare, and career development for refugees are hardly met.

In Indonesia, there are over 14,000 stranded refugees who lack identification, cannot leave the refugee camps, and are unable to access local education. Although the Indonesian government has designated specific areas for them to live, these places are often remote with harsh conditions, and lack basic education and development opportunities. The Shotokan, visited during this event, is situated in a remote area about a three-hour drive from Jakarta.

"Defying Destiny with Karate: The Story of Meena Asadi"

Meena Asadi (left); Zhang Yinjun, Founder and President of Beijing Changier Education Foundation (center); Chou Chin-Hua, Founder of Chou Ta-Kuan Cultural and Educational Foundation (right)

In this challenging environment, there is a petite yet resilient woman—Meena Asadi. She was once a national karate champion for Afghanistan and has won awards in several international competitions. Additionally, she is a mother of three. Her husband is a karate instructor as well.

After the Taliban took control, women were stripped of their rights to education and employment, forcing Meena Asadi to flee her home. In Indonesia, she established this karate club to offer refugee children stranded from countries like Afghanistan and Cambodia opportunities for physical exercise and skill training, helping them build confidence and find hope.

However, this "karate  club" was actually just renting a piece of land with a basic shed built on it. Despite the limited conditions, 80 children continue to learn karate here, benefiting from both physical and mental training.

Meena Asadi was awarded the 26th Fervent Global Love of Lives Award in 2023 by the Chou Ta-Kuan Cultural and Educational Foundation for her acts of defying fate through karate. (Top left in the picture)

Meena Asadi was awarded the 26th Fervent Global Love of Lives Award in 2023 by the Chou Ta-Kuan Cultural and Educational Foundation for her acts of defying fate through karate.

Global Philanthropic Partnership: Uniting Worldwide Goodwill

During the event, Mr. Chou Chin-Hua, founder of the Chou Ta-Kuan Cultural and Educational Foundation, and Ms. Zhang Yinjun, initiator of the Beijing Changier Education Foundation, jointly paid tribute to Meena Asadi and donated the Indonesian version of the book I Still Have One Foot, along with gifts thoughtfully prepared by caring individuals. At the same time, both parties jointly launched the "One Book, One Love" initiative, calling on all sectors of society to support Meena Asadi's autobiography, The Darkest Light. Proceeds from the book sale will be used to improve the living conditions of refugee children stranded in Indonesia, helping them realize their dreams as soon as possible.

Additionally, with the advocacy of the Chou Ta-Kuan Cultural and Educational Foundation and the Beijing Changier Education Foundation, 76-year-old Indonesian twin sisters Sri Rossyati and Sri Irianingsih decided on the spot to incorporate Shotokan as an affiliated school under their institution, providing further cultural and skill development opportunities for these refugee children. The sisters not only hold a prominent position in Indonesia but are also held in high esteem and widely admired. Over the years, they have been committed to public welfare, establishing 64 schools and partnering with over 2,000 others, while also offering free food from their land and sponsoring the education of underprivileged children. Their participation has opened up new possibilities for the future of local refugee children.

Music and Hope: The Power of the Arts

On the day of the event, the mother and son from Kinmen, Lin Lizhi and Qiu Shengkai, both artists with multiple disabilities, conveyed the resilience and hope of life to the refugees present through their musical performance. Through music, they convey the resilience of life, inspiring refugee children to courageously face reality.

Empowering the Future: Maternal Love, Education, and Beyond

As a delegate at the United Nations CSW69, Ms. Zhang Yinjun engaged in in-depth discussions with refugee mothers on site. She shared global trends in women's empowerment, urging them to be resilient and optimistic about the future, and highlighted the importance of education and economic independence for women.

Ms. Zhang Yinjun engaged in a deep conversation with one of the mothers. Her husband was killed in the war, leaving her to flee to Indonesia with their three children and endure severe hardships. Zhang Yinjun recounted the experience of her son practicing Taekwondo from a young age, explaining how the sport helped him build a strong physique and resilient spirit. She encouraged refugee children to continue their training to enhance their bodies and willpower, so that they can be self-reliant and strong, no matter where they find themselves in the future.

Looking Ahead: Bringing Hope to the World

During discussions, many refugees expressed a desire to leave the area and relocate to other places that could accommodate them. They struggle to integrate into Indonesian society because of language barriers, yet they are eager to learn and transform their destiny.

Chou Chin-Hua, the founder of the Chou Ta-Kuan Cultural and Educational Foundation, expressed his concern and support for refugee groups and promised to continue promoting substantive assistance in collaboration with the Beijing Changier Education Foundation. Together with more charitable organizations and social forces, they aim to create a better future for more refugee children.

Ms. Zhang Yinjun believes that China consistently upholds the principle of peace and promotes the concepts of "One Earth, One Family" and "a community with a shared future for mankind." Suffering in any corner of the world affects us all globally. This event is not just a charitable act but also a bridge for spreading goodwill to the world.

Closing Remarks

This trip to Indonesia not only brought warmth and hope to local refugee children but also initiated a practical, long-term public welfare support plan. The plan aims to motivate influential local philanthropists in Indonesia to become more receptive to refugee issues and genuinely assist these refugees in overcoming practical challenges, shifting from mere material donations to long-term empowerment through education.

As a public welfare organization dedicated to youth education, maternal love education, and mental health, the Beijing Changier Education Foundation consistently strives to promote educational equity and humanitarian care worldwide. Since the launch of the "Stories About Mum in Taiwan" event in Changsha in March 2024, the Beijing Changier Education Foundation and the Chou Ta-Kuan Cultural and Educational Foundation have established a positive consensus on collaboration. In September of the same year, President Zhang Yinjun, as one of the awardees from the Chinese mainland, traveled to Taiwan to attend the events for the 27th Fervent Global Love of Lives Award, organized by the Chou Ta-Kuan Cultural and Educational Foundation. During the same period, the Maternal Love Academy of the Beijing Changier Education Foundation hosted a plaque-awarding ceremony at Fo Guang University in Taiwan. On October 17, 2023, the Beijing Changier Education Foundation held the "Cross-Strait Charity Cooperation and Exchange Conference" and, together with the Chou Ta-Kuan Cultural and Educational Foundation, explored a plan to empower mothers worldwide. This marked a significant step forward for the Cross-Strait "Maternal Love Education Consortium." The Beijing Changier Education Foundation was invited to join the "Sending Love" trip to Indonesia, and both parties have significant projects that will be launched soon. Stay tuned.