Congratulations to our SENIA World Changer Awardees, Project Visionary!
We are thrilled to announce that our student-led group, Project Visionary, has been honoured with the SENIA World Changer Award!
SENIA (Special Education Network and Inclusion Association) is a global organisation of educators, specialists and families that champions inclusion and aims to support children with diverse needs worldwide. The SENIA World Changer Award honours an individual or group who actively promotes inclusion in their communities.
Project Visionary began last year as a research submission for the prestigious China Thinks Big competition, where the team went on to place third in Team Showcase at the Global Finals held at Harvard University. The project has since grown into a meaningful initiative that’s making a real difference in the lives of the niche community it serves. Its founders - Jason Z, Gary Z, Jayden N, Tim Z, and Ethan W – have dedicated their time, resources, and knowledge to support visually impaired public school senior school students, starting a legacy that a new generation of Visionaries continue to carry forward. This recognition not only validates their efforts, but also opens doors to collaborate with NGOs beyond China’s borders.
“It’s deeply humbling,” shared the team, “as it’s a testament to the collective efforts of everyone involved in our mission to foster inclusivity by providing the recipients with essential resources and support systems that are tailored to their unique needs.”
With the invaluable guidance and support from the Beijing Hong Dan Dan Charity, an on-the-ground NGO that works directly with students with visual impairments, Project Visionary was able to engage with public schools to understand their challenges and develop practical solutions tailored to their needs.
The result: a comprehensive braille-lettered guidebook based on expert interviews covering basic essential skills such as budgeting, differentiating needs and wants, setting financial goals, and how to access microloans in case of an emergency, and more, donated for free. Over 500 visually impaired students in more than 30 public schools across 16 Chinese provinces have benefited from the distribution of more than 100 guidebooks, empowering them with vital financial knowledge and tools that once eluded them. “We’re proud to have been able to empower individuals to overcome challenges, achieve personal growth, and actively participate in their communities,” added the team.
Now in their final year at DCB, the founding members hope that Project Visionary’s reach goes even beyond what they had achieved, touching more lives and promoting inclusivity on a broader scale. “Our goal is to ensure that every individual, regardless of their abilities, has access to the resources and opportunities they need to thrive.”
Ms Suzanne Robare, mentor of the new generation of Project Visionaries, remarked: “Project Visionary demonstrates what our students can do as a result of our unique blend of personal mastery, shared vision, and team learning. Our students really do Live Worldwise!” The new members of Project Visionary—Wan Kiu C, Allison W, Dahee K, Arshia J, and Lucas W—are excited to continue this project and build on the foundation established by their predecessors, ensuring that the mission of promoting inclusivity and accessibility reaches even more individuals in our community.
In support of their efforts, our Head of Senior School remarked, “We are so proud of these students and what they have accomplished to date. Their passion for Economics alongside their caring nature has truly created something special. We have no doubt they will change the world they live in.”
Congratulations again, Project Visionary!
