As the new semester approaches, Chung Yuan Christian University partnered with the Vision Youth Network Action Association to organize a week-long “International Workshop” from August 22nd to 29th. This workshop brought together international youth from countries such as Mexico, Spain, Japan, South Korea, and Hong Kong, who joined Chung Yuan Christian University students in engaging in service-learning activities. The program included various service projects in collaboration with local non-profit organizations in Taiwan. These projects encompassed initiatives such as the preservation of old houses in the “Lane 46 Cultural Sharing Space,” accompanying new immigrant children with the “Sunshine Caring Association,” and participating in environmental conservation efforts along the Laojie Creek with the “Wilderness Protection Association.”
During the sunny month of August, this group of young individuals traversed the streets and alleyways of Zhongli, enthusiastically participating in every community development project and social service activity. They witnessed the creativity and resilience of the local communities firsthand. Additionally, they listened to the remarkable stories of individuals and gained a deeper understanding of the historical development of Hakka culture in Taiwan.
Chung Yuan Christian University mentioned that Simon, a young man from Hong Kong, rolled up his sleeves to organize the space of this old house in Zhongli, which has been in existence for over 60 years. In this dusty and antiquated space, he encountered everyday items from Taiwan’s earlier days, and he admired the preservation of local history and culture, saying, “In Hong Kong, most old houses are used for commercial purposes. Staying at Lane 46 Cultural Sharing Space left a deep impression on me. I felt the owner’s commitment to preserving local culture and history, which I greatly admire and am moved by!” It was as if he, too, followed these old objects, awakening long-forgotten memories and re-experiencing the nuances of life in Taiwan.
