On Monday, August 5, 2024, the team held a site inspection and planning discussion meeting with Chairperson Qiu of the Minquan Community Development Association in Yonghe District. This meeting aimed to align project goals with the capacity of the service location. The key discussion points were as follows: ### Project Empowerment Support – The Story of Mr. Chen Yun-Shui: Mr. Chen Yun-Shui, affectionately known as Shui Ge, is a retired worker who has dedicated many years to community service as a volunteer. Besides his community work, his life has revolved around his family. After retiring, Shui Ge took on part-time gardening work to improve his family’s living conditions. However, over the past two years, his family has faced a series of challenges, particularly his wife’s unstable health, which has led to frequent hospital visits. This situation has placed significant emotional and financial strain on their lives. Previously, Shui Ge supplemented his household income through gardening work, but his wife's health issues have made this increasingly difficult. The burden of substantial medical expenses and daily living costs has worsened their financial situation. As a result, he has had to face the reality of being an elderly caregiver, devoting himself entirely to his wife’s care while also striving to maintain their livelihood. With his children having moved to southern Taiwan for work, they are unable to provide frequent assistance, leaving Shui Ge feeling isolated and overwhelmed. Although he has sought loans to get through these tough times, this approach is not a sustainable solution in the long run. Fortunately, this project, in collaboration with the Minquan Community Development Association, recognized Shui Ge’s difficulties and provided community empowerment and economic support. These interventions have somewhat alleviated his financial pressure and offered him a sense of warmth and support from the project and the community. During this transitional period, the project team has accompanied and empowered Shui Ge, helping him prepare for a more stable income in the future, which would allow him to focus more on caring for his wife. During this time, Shui Ge often shared his experiences with the team, expressing that although life remains challenging, he firmly believes that things will improve. This positive mindset has inspired many around him. Within the project and the community, Shui Ge has become an exemplary figure, demonstrating through his actions that it is possible to find value and meaning even in adversity. Over time, his perseverance and hard work have garnered more attention and support. His story has become an inspiring part of the project and the community, reminding everyone not to give up when facing hardships. Shui Ge’s life story is full of challenges and resilience, showing that light and hope can be found even in the darkest times. He teaches us through his experiences that as long as one has love and faith, it is possible to overcome life’s trials and embrace a better future. The project aims to cultivate a resilient, self-sustaining, and mutually supportive living environment with a new sense of life’s purpose.

Implemented by Center for Teaching and Learning Development
Date: 2024/08/05