This year, the world is in Taitung (TCamp)
Day1 New Xianglan Tribe English Camp Volunteer Activities, Cultural Exchange
Day 2 Agricultural volunteer service: weeding, English camp, cultural night
Day 3 Tusaka Tribe Cultural Experience
Day 4: Experience the culture of the Duli tribe
Day 5: Hot air balloon carnival, farmers' association tourist factory, Dolimi Story House
Letter of Appreciation from the Global Student Volunteer Association to Ms. Rao Qingling, Mayor of Taitung County
To Ms. Rao Qingling, Mayor of Taitung County:
Hello, County Governor Qingling Rao. We are the Global Contribution and Learning Volunteer Association. Our association held the "3rd Global Elite Leadership Program: This Year's World in Taitung (TCamp)" volunteer activity in Taitung County from August 12 to 16 this year. In addition to being very supportive of the association's activities held in Taitung, the county governor also specially appointed the county governor's secretary and Taimali township representative Mr. Lei Mingsheng to attend the event on the day of the cultural night. The association would like to express special thanks to County Governor Rao and the Taitung County government team for their great recognition and support for this event, and strongly invite the county governor and the county government team to visit our fan page and official website to view our volunteer achievements and experiences.
In this Global Elite Leaders Program, volunteers not only went to local churches to teach students English speaking and introduce cultures from all over the world, but also assisted the tribes in tidying up the local environment, promoting cultural exchanges, and allowing volunteers to fully explore Taitung's natural landscapes and cultural assets. During the five-day, four-night trip, from mountains to sea, from tribes to rice fields, they saw the diversity of Taitung and learned about local cultural customs. In this event, the participating volunteers all gained a deeper and more unique understanding of Taitung. I believe that in the future, they will also share the beauty and goodness of Taitung with more people with this understanding.
The association would like to thank County Mayor Rao for his support in making this event a success. The volunteers said that the event was very exciting and they gained a lot, and they really experienced different cultures. The association also hopes to continue to hold similar events in Taitung in the future, so that more young people at home and abroad can experience the beauty of Taitung, and let the world see the charm of Taitung, rich and diverse culture, and magnificent scenery. At the same time, it will also assist tribal cultural exchanges and bring the world's diverse cultures into the tribes, achieving the best results of a win-win situation.
The volunteers who participated in this event, Wang Yuyan, Xu Wenjing, Wang Yujie, Mai Zhuning, Zhong Yiling, Tang Xuyuan, Tang Wenbin, Feng Xingyu, Zhang Ziyin, Zhuo Junyou, Zhuang Kaijun, Zhong Yirou, Zhu Shaoen, Xu Kenxiang, Huang Zhuyin and the Global Contribution Volunteer Association
August 20, 2020
Volunteer Sharing
Wang Yujie
DAY 1
Today is our first day of volunteer activities. We got up before dawn. After a lot of troubles and travel, we finally arrived in Taimali. Taitung, I have never been to it before..., and the first impression it gave me was "hot"! On the way to the tribe, I saw a vast sea, which made people feel relaxed and happy. I fell asleep unknowingly. As soon as I entered the class place of the tribe, I heard thunderous applause. I thought it was a warm welcome for us, but...the applause was for the performance of the team leaders. In fact, I was afraid that I would not know how to communicate with the indigenous people of the tribe because they are free in body and mind; later I felt that they were easier to talk to than I thought, and a little naive. Maybe their living environment is different from ours in the city; they have either received bilingual education or American education since childhood, and they feel that English is a natural thing in our lives. In fact, they have learned it, but they just don’t know how to use it. I hope they can speak it easily and learn it happily!
DAY 2
Today is our second day of volunteering. We got up at 5am to rush to the toilet. We went to pull weeds early in the morning. The weather was really hot. Fortunately, the hostel grandma sent us a box of ice water to quench our thirst. The grandma also helped everyone pull weeds very quickly. She kept saying, "You should study hard, you should study hard..." We pulled weeds for almost two hours under the scorching sun. Everyone came back exhausted. Fortunately, there was a lot of time to rest, and I also had another nap. Time passed quickly, and before I knew it, it was time for the afternoon volunteer work. This time, I was assigned to two little boys, and their cooperation was not very good. Fortunately, my mother helped me finish it. The evening activities were really rich. I saw older brothers and sisters giving reports on stage, and also enjoyed the performances of the aboriginals. Their singing was beautiful, and they were also very handsome because they had deep features. I hope I will have the opportunity to see them again next time.
DAY 3
Today is the time to have fun. I don't have to teach those kids anymore. I can finally relax. Although I will feel a little reluctant, after all, those kids have cute sides, and the leader of the tribe is very handsome, so I will probably feel a little sad. I hope I can see the leader on the road again in the next few days. Today we were in the Tuban tribe from morning to afternoon, but there were too many mosquitoes. I was bitten by mosquitoes many times. I think these mosquitoes should be able to last for three days... I think the level-breaking game is very fresh and fun. I made delicious millet wine, wove bracelets that I have never understood, and learned about the plant "Vawu" that I didn't know. But what impressed me most was eating organic bananas, throwing the banana peels into the haystack, and riding a motorcycle to the next destination. Although the journey was not long, it was fun. If I have the opportunity to come again, I should choose winter, so it won't be as hot as today. I never knew that I would have such a smelly day.
DAY 4
Today is our second to last day in Taitung, which is also our fourth day. What I am most looking forward to today is the water activities, because it feels fun and exciting. I have never played in the sea, so I am very excited. At the beginning, we went to Xiaoyeliu and Jialulan Coast, which are very close to the coastline and the view is also very good. I hope I can come again next time. When we arrived at the Duli Tribe, it was the time I was most looking forward to playing in the water. I had a full lunch, especially the bamboo tube rice. It was the first time I ate this food. It felt very rare and special. In the sea, I felt very insecure at first. My feet could not touch the bottom. It felt terrible. Later, I found that because I was wearing a life jacket, I would not dive. In the sea, I drank a lot of sea water. It was very salty and hard to drink, and it was very uncomfortable. However, some funny things happened in the process! I hope I can come back again next time! When I was trying to fold roses with linto fruit leaves, the guide made it look easy, but it was actually very difficult. I don’t know if it was because my fingers were not flexible or it was really difficult. However, I did two, one of which was 70% done by the guide, so I did the second one. Then I found that it was not as difficult as I thought! On the way back, Steven even lined up to buy Donghe buns for everyone. I thought I would be very hungry, maybe I was full after drinking a lot of sea water... Everyone also sang karaoke, which made this return journey more joyful.
DAY5
Today is our last day in Taitung, which is the fifth day. What I am most looking forward to today is riding a bicycle and watching hot air balloons. Because I like sports, I also like riding a bicycle. Today is the first time I see a hot air balloon in person. I found that the hot air balloons are so big. They are 10 times bigger than the hot air balloons I saw on TV. I originally wanted to ride a hot air balloon, but... when I arrived at the ticket office, my ticket had already been sold out. After that, we went to Longtian Bicycle. The bicycles there are not easy to ride because the brakes are almost broken, and we even got lost while riding. When we finished riding a lap, we rode to 7-11. On the way, we encountered a very steep slope, but we gave up when we came up... After the ride, everyone was exhausted. But we were still very happy. At noon, we listened to the guide's explanation of the origin of rice, and we also learned about a man named "Thank America". He was very powerful and almost always won the championship in the competition. Some people also took some rice from "Thank America". It was really delicious. In the afternoon, we rode bicycles again. This bicycle was better than the previous one, and the brakes were not broken... These five days made me learn a lot of things and made us have a lot of fun. I don't know when I will come to Taitung next time. I hope to come to Taitung again to volunteer and have fun. This time I came to Taitung, I learned a lot about Taitung's culture, the Amis and Paiwan peoples. I also thank the organizers, founders, and volunteer classmates for this trip. I have gained a lot from this trip.
Wang Yuyan
DAY 1
I got up at 4:30 this morning, earlier than the sun. I took the Ziqiang Express for more than 5 hours in the morning, and then took another hour bus to Taimali in Taitung. I woke up and slept on the way, and before I knew it, I arrived in Taitung. We first went to the B&B to store our luggage, and then went to the chapel to take English classes with the tribal children. I found that they have rich and lively imaginations, and they are also very enthusiastic and eager to participate in the class. I feel that this trip is very meaningful, and I hope I can teach them more English.
DAY 2
We went out to weed at 7:00 this morning. It was a hot summer day and we weeded for more than an hour. When we came back, we were all sweating. My sister and I rushed to the bathroom to take a shower as soon as we came back. After the shower, we felt refreshed. In the afternoon, I went to the last English class with the Aboriginal children. I felt that they learned a lot of English words and sentences. In the evening, I participated in the cultural night. The Aboriginals are worthy of being Aboriginals. Everyone's singing is very nice and rich. I can't stop listening. Everyone also shared their travel experiences, cultural introductions, growth backgrounds, etc. I hope I can hear the Aboriginal singing again next time (Live version)
DAY 3
Today I went to the Tusaka tribe to experience their local culture. We also passed a lot of levels. The first level was to weave bracelets, the second level was to identify plants, including blood tannins, rosy trees, and eggplants, etc. The third level was to brew millet wine, and I drank the first sip of millet wine in my life, which tasted a bit like Yakult. After that, I listened to the tribesmen telling us some of their stories and how they hunted. After that, we went to the Tiehua Village Music Village Slow Market, where there were many small accessories, including hand-woven bracelets, hand-woven hot air balloon pendants, and hand-woven bags. My mother, sister, and I also bought a lot of souvenirs. I hope I will have the opportunity to come again next time.
DAY 4
This morning we went to Xiaoyeliou first, which is a geological park that is quite similar to Yehliu in New Taipei. We also went to eat fresh sugar apples (very sweet~). Next we went to Jialulan Coast, where we took some photos and looked at the scenery. After that we went to Duli Tribe, where we had lunch first. It was the most abundant meal I have ever had, with shrimp, beetroot, fish, octopus scrambled eggs, bamboo tube rice, etc. After a full meal, we went to the sea to row a boat. When we reached the right position, we started diving. The sea water was really salty. After rowing, we went to make handicrafts. I also want to thank brother Steven for lining up for us to buy Donghe buns. Then we went to see the water flowing upwards, and I put a leaf on it. As a result, the leaf actually flowed upwards. Then we returned to the B&B. The happiest itinerary today was playing in the water.
DAY 5
Today is my last day in Taitung, and I feel a little sad. I have learned a lot about the culture and customs of different tribes in the past few days, including the culture of the Paiwan and Amis tribes. I also experienced some cultural activities and felt their traditional culture, which is something that I cannot experience in Hsinchu. These tribes also have their own characteristics. We set out at 4:30 this morning to watch the hot air balloon. When we arrived there, it was only a little after 5:00, and there were already a lot of people queuing there waiting to take the hot air balloon. Then we went to Longtian to ride bicycles and see the scenery. There are also many kinds of tea there, including Assam black tea. After lunch, I listened to the story of Chihshang rice. I found that the farmers are really hard-working. They take care of the rice under the scorching sun every day, and they also turn on the air conditioner for the rice so that it will not get wet, and they also have to control the temperature. Then we went to Brown Avenue to ride a bike and see the rural scenery. There were fields everywhere, and I saw some farmers planting rice. I learned a lot in these five days. Thank you GDA for taking care of me and arranging such a good activity. I hope I can have the opportunity to participate in volunteer activities next year and learn more.
Zhu Shaoen
DAY 1
We went to the train station at around six twenty in the morning. I was a little bit nervous when i first got there because i don't know anyone other than Delvin. Then we had the longest train i had in my entire life which is six hours in total. After we arrive we put our stuff at where we live and head to the church we are going to teach in. The teaching was pretty fun, it's my first time teaching young kids how to speak English. I think i did a decent job teaching them. I thought them how to say some of the tourist spot in taiwan in English. It feels really good when i teach them how to speak English because I've been learning English for a long now and I'm finally able to teach people the language.
DAY 2
We had to wake up pretty early today because we are going to pick up weed in the farm at seven. At first I thought doing that would be very boring but it turns out to be alright. After that we had a very long break and a took a very good nap. After the break we head to the church and teach the kids again. Today is so much more tiring than yesterday since the kids was so out of control. They were climbing me like a tree and running around. We taught how to introduce themselves in English and how to say why they like to.
DAY 3
Today, we visited a tribal village and participated in activities that is unique to the tribe after we got a tour of tribe and was briefly explained the social classes of the tribe and how it works. We got taught how to weave with bamboo, how to make rice wine and identified plants and herbs and their use in medicine. The guide also explained the tribe's chiefs and what each members of the tribe is supposed to contribute to their community. He also explained how the once every five year festival worked and traditions that should happen. This is one of the only tribes left in the world where they celebrate the entire festival properly. These are traditions that have been passed down through generations after generation and is important for them. Learning about these are really interesting and is also important to us as we all come from the same country and it should be our obligation to help remember or continue the traditions of a culture which is why I feel this is an important part of our trip.
DAY4
Today, we went to a tourist destination on our way to a tribe which we visited. We went climbing and it was fun. We went to visit a different tribe again. We had traditional dishes which were really interesting, took canoes out into the ocean and learn to weave a rose out of leaves. The most fun thing for me was the swimming as we got to spend time together. We expanded own knowledge about traditional cuisine so that we can share it and not let tradition die out. We also learnt the importance of the sea to these tribes as they were forced to move into the mountains and would most likely all died had it not been for the fish that they catch. We learn how important it is to protect the environment as it always gives you something back which is something good to remember. Overall the fay was fun and educational and taught us important lessons.
DAY 5
Today, we woke at 4 to go to Luyegaotai. The view was nice although it was really crowded and all tickets for the hot air balloon carnival were sold out. We then went on a cycling trip around the area and got to see places where artists come to film. We then went to a rice factory which won awards for quality both in Taiwan and in Japan. This trip's purpose is to learn about cultures that you wouldn't have known about and to share it with the world. By visiting famous landmarks in Taiwan, we learn probably the most important culture for us as it is our own. We can then learn other cultures and spread more awareness about minorities and cultures are important but are misunderstood by the outside world.
Tang Xuyuan
DAY 1
Today we spent a lot of time traveling from Zhongli to Taitung. The weather in Taitung was very hot, but the 18 of us were still excited and looking forward to going to the Xinxianglan Tribe to meet 22 aboriginal children. Since the children were quite young, ranging from sixth graders to kindergarteners, the foreign teachers were very active in teaching. Every child was very involved in the meal. The volunteers assisted the foreign teachers in the oral content and then explained the words. Finally, they played group games to help the children increase their English word memory, for example: SUN MOON LAKE was associated with SWIM; TAIPEI 101 was associated with CLIMB, etc. This time, the foreign teachers taught us many words, such as tall, comparison, swim, climb, fly, sun moon lake, etc. Time passed quickly, and the two hours passed very quickly. It was a great experience for me to get along well with these children.
DAY 2
The weeding activity early this morning was very hot and hard, but I could also experience the hard work of farmers. It took about 2 hours to weed, and I felt a sense of accomplishment and the importance of teamwork. After the activity, the aboriginal youth introduced the culture of the Paiwan tribe. The hundred-step snake is the symbolic totem of the Paiwan tribe. The aboriginal women and women have their own division of labor and each has their own duties. The chief is hereditary, and only the chief's house can have a stone tablet, symbolizing the leadership of the tribe. The teaching activities in the afternoon still maintained the enthusiasm and interaction of the first day. The main teaching content today was self-introduction and greetings. During the group practice, the children were also very happy to speak up. The cultural night in the evening was the highlight of today's program. The songs performed by the aboriginal children and young people were very exciting, showing that the aboriginals are born with a good singing voice. When I went on stage to introduce the light and shadow drama and played the 2019 champion video, my brothers and sisters asked me how I did it. It was very beautiful and not easy. I was very happy to hear that. This is the result of teamwork. I am also very happy to participate in the performance of the light and shadow drama. Seeing that my brothers and sisters have studied abroad, I should also want to study abroad in the future to experience the culture of different countries.
DAY 3
Today we went to the Tusaka tribe. The tour guide first introduced the tribe's dance festival. The tribal warriors used bamboo poles to catch embroidery balls (the embroidery balls were thrown up by the priests). He also introduced a warrior statue. After that, we went to play a level-breaking game. There were three levels in total. The first level was to weave bamboo textiles in the school. If you pass the level, you will get millet. The second level was the millet field. All you had to do was to identify the name of the plant and its use. If you pass the level, you will get pumpkin. The third level was to make millet wine. It was my first time to taste millet wine. I thought it was delicious and had no taste of alcohol. The tax was raw pork. At noon, we enjoyed a rich aboriginal-style meal. In the afternoon, we introduced hunting culture, tools, and the way men blow nose flutes to express emotions. From here, you can experience and deepen the culture of the Paiwan people. Afterwards, we went to Duoliang Station to enjoy the sea view, see the magnificence of the sea, and enjoy the sea breeze. In the evening, we appreciated the Tiehua Aboriginal Cultural and Creative Industry. Although today's schedule was not very tight, I have a deeper understanding and impression of the culture of the Paiwan Aboriginal people. The Aboriginal culture is very rich and we should promote and preserve it more.
DAY 4
Today we went to the Duli Tribe, which belongs to the Amis tribe. The Amis tribe is the largest and most widely distributed tribe in Taiwan. There is no specific totem, but the tribe members are very hardworking. Their life is not mainly based on hunting, but on farming and fishing. I didn't expect that the Amis tribe had a military incident with the Japanese during the Japanese occupation. The local cuisine we enjoyed at noon was very delicious and exquisite. Riding a sampan is one of my favorite activities. The oars are very heavy. The coach explained the relevant precautions. When I rowed to the Pacific Ocean, I jumped into the sea. I could clearly feel the ups and downs of the waves on the sea. The waves were very big, the sea water was very salty, and I drank a lot of sea water. Everyone had a great time in the sea, and time passed quickly. No one wanted to go ashore yet. Although playing in the water is everyone's favorite activity, more attention should be paid to related safety. The water flows upwards, this attraction is very amazing, but I heard that this is because of the visual effect of the terrain, which causes the strange phenomenon of water flowing upwards. After these few days of activities, everyone has become more and more familiar with it, and even sang songs in the car. It was a pleasant day.
DAY 5
On the last day of this trip, we were scheduled to participate in the hot air balloon carnival, so we had to set off at 4:30 in the morning. However, everyone was very excited. In the car, we must have been very uncomfortable with getting up early, so everyone took the time to catch up on sleep in the car. I think the driver must have been the hardest hit. When we arrived at the event venue, there were already huge crowds of people, which surprised me. I saw all kinds of hot air balloons and was looking forward to having a chance to ride one. Unfortunately, we were still late. After staying for a while, we went to Wuling Green Tunnel and Dabo Pond. The weather was very hot today, which reduced everyone's activity level. Despite this, the surrounding rice fields and the scenery of the Central Mountains still made people feel peaceful, far away from the hustle and bustle of the city. In the afternoon, we arrived at the Chihshang Rice Tourism Factory. In addition to understanding the growth environment of high-quality Chihshang rice and the farmers' hard work in farming, we also learned about the simple operation of ancient farm tools. The saying "every grain of rice is hard-earned" is very apt, and I admire the persistence of the Chihshang farmers even more. I have a deeper understanding that no food should be wasted.
Zhang Ziyin
DAY 1
Today is the earliest day I woke up in the summer vacation. I arrived at the gathering place for our volunteers at 6 o'clock. Seeing everyone's expectation and tense atmosphere, I couldn't help but get more excited about this activity. We took a 6-hour train and a 1-hour bus. We finally arrived at Taimali, where we stayed and volunteered. Our first activity was to teach the local children. They were very lively and enthusiastic. A cute little girl rushed up to me as soon as she saw me. I was scared to death, but I still taught them smoothly. After teaching them and having lunch, we were tired today and went back to the dormitory to rest and prepare for tomorrow's weeding work.
DAY 2
Today is also an early morning, and we are still slowly adapting. After breakfast, we set out to weed at 7:00. The sun today is hotter than my phone that I have been playing with all day. It is like a human oven, but we still managed to survive these terrible 2 hours! Our bodies were covered with mosquito bites, but thanks to a mother who lent me her mosquito repellent, we went back to the dormitory to rest until 12:50 to prepare for lunch. After lunch, we went to teach the children. They were better behaved today, except for our tiger who was a little irritable, but everyone performed well and lived up to my expectations of them. After teaching them, we went back to the dormitory to prepare dinner and the cultural night that everyone enjoyed. Although we had a very nice professor give a speech that we could hardly understand, we later broke the awkward atmosphere with our very interesting reports. They also treated us to chicken chops and winter melon tea, delicious!
DAY 3
I woke up late today and slept very well. Today we are going to the Tusaka tribe. They introduced their tribal culture to us and took us to play the games they invented. We were divided into two groups. I happened to be the team leader. My job was to lead them to solve the puzzle and find our next location. We continued like this for a long time, but their traditional lunch did not disappoint me. The food they made was super delicious. After eating, we also went to see Their hunting supplies and their collection of prey. A boy from the same tribe as me even performed a musical instrument with his nose. We were all very surprised. But I got sunburned today. My hands were all red. It was painful to wait for the skin to peel off. We also went to Taitung City this afternoon and visited a place that looked like a night market. We ate the most crispy fried stinky tofu I have ever eaten. It was simply heaven. After eating, we went back to the dormitory for dinner and ended our fulfilling and wonderful day today.
DAY 4
This morning we went to a park. There were many rocks in that park. I climbed and climbed with a teacher. It was fun, but dangerous. Almost everyone was watching us act stupid. We were sweating all over. One of my classmates accidentally fell into the water while we were playing. We got soaked. We laughed so hard that our abs got clenched. Then we went to the Yami tribe. We took a boat out to play. After playing, we all jumped off the boat and splashed water on each other. It has been a long time since I had such a good time. I felt like going into the sea. Then the teacher taught us to make leaf roses. I was going to make one for my girlfriend, but what I made was not presentable to others so I gave up. After that, we went to see the upstream waterfall. We made a boat, and it really flowed upstream. It was super cool. We had dinner and went to bed in the evening. Overall, I think the most impressive activity today was Trey and I playing parkour. We were sweating all over, and one of us fell into the water. It was super fun.
DAY 5
Today is the last day of our volunteer activities, and we have to say goodbye to our Taimali. We got up at 3:50 and went to Luye Plateau to watch the hot air balloons in the morning. Our first impression of the hot air balloons was that they were very unfamiliar. We were all very excited. Although it was very cold, we still walked around and circled the hot air balloons. After watching the hot air balloons, we went to ride bicycles and went for a ride. The farm was beautiful but hot. I gave up riding halfway and went back to rest. I felt better after eating some ice cream. I had a little sunburn. My hands and face were all red. After that, we went to have lunch. We went to Chihshang and had the local rice and vegetables. They were really delicious. After that, we went to Mr. Brown Farm to ride bicycles. We went around a big circle before returning to the starting point. Then we went to the station to go home! On the way home, we were all reluctant to leave this volunteer activity. I am also very grateful to our leaders Steven and Trey. They really planned this activity carefully. We are also very grateful to them, as well as the friends who participated with me this time. They are all very nice people. We must meet again if we have the chance!
Zhuang Kaijun
DAY 1
Today, we traveled to Taitung and taught English to the indigenous children in the area. I found the process fun and enjoyable as the children were generally nice to work with and thought we managed to teach them something that could stimulate them into learning more English. By teaching them landmarks in Taiwan, they should relate more with it and get excited with the prospect of being able to talk about things that they love in a different language. The way we taught also involved a lot of games and conversations which I feel is better than traditional learning as they have to engage and participate. The point of this tip for them is to develop an enthusiasm for English and if we show them a good and fun first impression of English, I think we would have succeeded. I think the first part of the trip is going well.
DAY 2
Today morning, we experienced weeding in the fields that the indigenous population depend on for rice and other herbs. It taught us to respect what comes onto our plate as we got experience first hand which showed us the amount of work farmers have to do to produce things we might waste. We continued teaching the children of the tribe English, showing them useful words and greeting that they can use in everyday situations which is beneficial to them. Later that night, we had and were presented with people who come from different cultures including the indigenous people's traditional dances. We were given a quick glimpse into Arabic culture by a professor coming from an Arabic culture. This demonstrated how large the world is and expanded our knowledge. It also gave us a chance to share your own culture and experience . I feel that this day was hugely beneficial as we learned a lot about the world and learned to respect all the hard working people do to make life for us comfortable.
DAY 3
Today, we visited a tribal village and participated in activities that is unique to the tribe after we got a tour of tribe and was briefly explained the social classes of the tribe and how it works. We got taught how to weave with bamboo, how to make rice wine and identified plants and herbs and their use in medicine. The guide also explained the tribe's chiefs and what each members of the tribe is supposed to contribute to their community. He also explained how the once every five year festival worked and traditions that should happen. This is one of the only tribes left in the world where they celebrate the entire festival properly. These are traditions that have been passed down through generations after generation and is important for them. Learning about these are really interesting and is also important to us as we all come from the same country and it should be our obligation to help remember or continue the traditions of a culture which is why I feel this is an important part of our trip.
DAY4
Today, we went to a tourist destination on our way to a tribe which we visited. We went climbing and it was fun. We went to visit a different tribe again. We had traditional dishes which were really interesting, took canoes out into the ocean and learn to weave a rose out of leaves. The most fun thing for me was the swimming as we got to spend time together. We expanded own knowledge about traditional cuisine so that we can share it and not let tradition die out. We also learnt the importance of the sea to these tribes as they were forced to move into the mountains and would most likely all died had it not been for the fish that they catch. We learn how important it is to protect the environment as it always gives you something back which is something good to remember. Overall the fay was fun and educational and taught us important lessons.
DAY 5
Today, we woke at 4 to go to Luyegaotai. The view was nice although it was really crowded and all tickets for the hot air balloon carnival were sold out. We then went on a cycling trip around the area and got to see places where artists come to film. We then went to a rice factory which won awards for quality both in Taiwan and in Japan. This trip's purpose is to learn about cultures that you wouldn't have known about and to share it with the world. By visiting famous landmarks in Taiwan, we learn probably the most important culture for us as it is our own. We can then learn other cultures and spread more awareness about minorities and cultures are important but are misunderstood by the outside world.
Xu Hanxiang
DAY 1
I got up early today and headed to Taitung with great joy.
When I arrived in Taitung and saw the energetic children, my tired body was also full of energy! At first, I was a little shy, but later, I gradually relaxed and started to interact with them. Seeing the results of their performance, I felt very accomplished! I am also very grateful to my parents. Thank them for giving me this opportunity. I also realized the hard work of taking care of children. I hope tomorrow's English camp can end smoothly!
DAY 2
Although I was very tired playing with the kids yesterday, I was still very energetic to interact with them the next afternoon. This morning, I got up early. After breakfast, the young people from the tribe took us to the millet garden to pull weeds and introduced the tribe to us. In the afternoon, we had a lot of fun playing with the children in the English camp! In the evening, we participated in the cultural night, enjoyed the wonderful performances of the children and young people in the tribe, and listened to the sharing of many partners! Among them, I shared my experience of learning musical instruments and soloed a piano piece on the stage. It was quite exciting! In all the activities today, I gained a lot of knowledge about the indigenous people, which was really beneficial!
DAY 3
Finally, the English camp is over! It's time to travel around Taitung! After breakfast, we went to the Tusaka tribe. The guide there introduced us to the class system and various customs of the Paiwan people, and also let us play situational games. Among them, I was particularly impressed by the weaving of baskets, because the baskets are very difficult to weave, and the manufacturing process is very fun! Today, I also benefited a lot and learned a lot of knowledge related to the tribe. I hope I can have the opportunity to come to Tusaka again next time to experience this activity!
DAY 4
Today was such a disastrous day! First, I fell into the water at Xiaoyeliu, my phone got soaked, and my feet got cut! We saw many weathered rocks at Xiaoyeliu, and also did a climbing activity, which was quite tiring! Later, we came to the Duli Tribe, experienced boating, and jumped into the sea to play for a while, then experienced folding roses with paper, and learned the way of greeting of the Paiwan people. I think their language is very interesting! This day's activities were the most fun day of the past few days. Not only did I have fun, but I also learned a lot, killing two birds with one stone!
DAY 5
Today is our last day in Taitung. We should seize every minute and have fun without any regrets! We got up early in the morning just to take the hot air balloon ride, but the tickets were sold out. Although we were a little disappointed, the disappointment disappeared instantly when we saw the hot air balloon. Next, we went for a bicycle ride. We got lost all the way, but we finally completed the ride smoothly. This time I learned a lesson: I must study the map before going out! Later, we came to the Chihshang Rice Mill, visited the factory inside, and experienced the rice-making process of our ancestors, and felt the hard work of every grain of rice! Finally, we came to the train station, which brought this trip to a perfect end! This trip to Taitung has improved my English ability to a higher level, and I have realized the importance of teamwork. This volunteer trip has really benefited me a lot!
Mai Zhuning
DAY 1
Today is the first day of the Taitung trip. I left home at 7am and then drove for 7 hours straight. Although my butt was sore from sitting, the scenery outside the window was really beautiful after arriving in the east. The most important schedule of the day was in the afternoon: assisting the English camp of the Xinxianglan tribe. The children were very cute and lively, and participated in the activities very seriously. When I saw them willing to actively interact with me, I felt more accomplished than I thought. The final dinner time was very pleasant. Everyone chatted enthusiastically. It seemed that the sense of distance during the day gradually faded during this meal, which made me look forward to the next four days with everyone.
DAY 2
Early this morning, we went to the tribe's millet fields to help weed. As soon as we walked into the fields, we could feel the strong sun and many mosquitoes at our feet. After more than an hour of hard weeding, I could better understand the hard work of farmers. In addition to the English camp in the afternoon, there was also a very special activity: Cultural Night. We appreciated the war dance and singing of the indigenous people, and connected with a professor from New York University who shared the culture of Jordan with us. In the end, we also shared different cultural experiences, which was a perfect end to a fulfilling and rare night.
DAY 3
Today we went to Tusaka to experience the various Paiwan cultures. The tour guide introduced us to the Paiwan class and the important five-year festival. Then we used levels to understand different themes. One of the levels was to make millet wine. In addition to making it by hand, the strong taste of millet wine also impressed me. In addition, we stayed in the tribe for lunch and enjoyed local food, which was very delicious. In the afternoon, we arrived at Duoliang Station. After walking a distance, we saw the endless sea view, and our mood became broad. Although the whole day of sightseeing was hot, it did not affect this fulfilling and special day.
DAY 4
Today is a full day trip to the sea. In the morning we went to Xiaoyeliu first, climbed on the rocks, took photos and watched the sea. Then we visited the Duli tribe of Ami. Unlike the Paiwan people, most of the Ami people go out to sea to fish instead of hunting in the mountains. So in addition to the local food at noon, we experienced bamboo rafting in the afternoon, and finally jumped into the sea to swim. This was my first time to swim in the sea, and it was actually more difficult than I imagined. Although the time was not long, it was really a very special experience.
DAY 5
Today is the last day. In the morning, we went to Luye Plateau to watch the hot air balloons. There were many people and the scenery was beautiful. Unfortunately, we didn't buy tickets. Then we went cycling, riding slowly around the green trail. The leisurely atmosphere made the whole morning relaxed. The afternoon itinerary was to ride a bicycle on Brown Avenue. Although there were only ordinary fields around, it was still very comfortable to shuttle through it. I didn't have a special impression of this volunteer journey at the beginning, but in the past five days, whether it was the itinerary attractions or the interactions with the volunteers, it was much smoother than I expected, and I was very satisfied. It was really a great thing to have this opportunity to get to know everyone during the summer vacation.
Feng Xingyu
DAY 1
I took a long bus ride today. When I arrived at the village, I really felt the gap between urban and rural areas. In this Xinxianglan village, everyone is very warm and the children are very cute. The grandmother who runs the homestay entertained us very warmly. There were cans of ice water in the refrigerator. It can be seen that the grandmother is really considerate and cute. When I entered the church, from Trey's teaching to the end, all the children were engaged in his class. I also learned some skills to lead the atmosphere. I knew that English was really important on the first day of the activity. I could hardly understand what the foreign teacher said. I had to ask others what she was saying before I understood what she meant. English is really a very important thing. I hope everyone can learn it well.
DAY 2
I got up early this morning and went to the millet field to weed, to experience the feeling of being a farmer. In the afternoon, I taught those cute kids, which really melted my heart. The cultural night in the evening was also very exciting. Steven’s brother taught at NYU, and there were also experiences like studying abroad, etc. I felt happy the whole second day, treating every brother and sister as my own, protecting them, playing with them, and I was really happy. I really think this volunteer activity was very exciting and successful.
DAY 3
I went to Tusaka for a whole day today. The obstacle course there was really exciting. I also drank wine, which was sour and sweet like Yangleduo. I think these aborigines are amazing and use various methods to introduce their tribes. Today is Tusaka. Yesterday's Xinxianglan introduced the local area with very practical items. I have full admiration for the aborigines. The special dishes there are really different. They are very special things that you can't eat in Taoyuan. When I ate stinky tofu in Tiehua Village, I knew why foreigners don't like stinky tofu. It's not because it stinks, but because of the taste. Maybe everyone is different, but at least the foreigners I know are like this. Today's activities are very interesting. Thank you Tusaka tribe for giving us this opportunity to participate in this activity.
DAY 4
Today I went to Duli Tribe, Xiaoyeliou, and Tiehua Village. In Duli, I learned the Amis "Hello" and rowing. The coaches there were very friendly. I couldn't do anything about handicrafts, which was really my difficulty. Xiaoyeliou has many rare treasures and many beautiful stones. After the erosion of the coast, each stone is like a child born by each couple, each with its own characteristics. Finally, I saw stinky tofu in Tiehua Village, and then I slowly understood the foreigners' ideas about Taiwanese food. As for stinky tofu, although some people can't accept its taste, it is not completely unacceptable. The taste may also account for a part. Today is a fulfilling day, and everyone is working hard to explore.
DAY 5
Today, we went to many places, such as the hot air balloon carnival, Longtian community and some famous attractions. During the balloon carnival, we saw many balloons, but many of them could not fly. I didn't know why. Later, I found out that the principle of hot air balloons is: if the air temperature in the balloon is higher, the density of the gas in the balloon is smaller, and there will be greater upward buoyancy, allowing the hot air balloon to fly upward. These five days were very fulfilling and happy. I also understood that you don't have to have a rich material life to be happy. If I have the opportunity, I would like to go to Taitung to live a carefree life. In these five days, I learned teamwork and some ways to communicate with people. The most important thing is that I can communicate more normally with foreigners.
Zhong Yiling
DAY 1
Today is the first day of volunteering in Taitung. We set out from Zhongli to Shulin early and then took the Ziqiang Express to Taitung. As the train rushed, we gradually arrived at our destination. As soon as we got off the train, the warm sun began to fill my entire body. Experiencing the scorching sun in Taitung that everyone fears, as soon as we left Taitung Station, we took a small bus to the tribe. After putting away our luggage, we went to the church to tutor the children in English. Most of the children were very lively and cute. They also actively answered the teacher's questions in class. After the tutoring, we ended the first day with dinner.
DAY 2
The next day, we got up early and after breakfast, we went to the wheat fields in the tribe to weed. It was the first time we weeded under the scorching sun. I really felt the sweat pouring down my face. I immediately thanked the farmer for his hard work in planting, and I felt very regretful when I thought about how much I had wasted before. After weeding in the morning, we rested until lunch time. In the afternoon, we also went to the church to tutor the children in English, and I was once again baptized by their enthusiasm. During the process, I also asked about their mother tongue. But I can only remember two or three simple ones. I can't remember the others. After dinner, we went to the cultural night to enjoy the professor sharing Jordanian culture. Due to equipment problems, I didn't really understand what she was saying. Then one by one, they came to the stage to share their experiences. I shared my experience of going to Korea in the second year of junior high school. Because we were nervous about making mistakes, we did a rehearsal in the room before the report, which helped me a lot. The day ended in this cultural atmosphere.
DAY 3
On the third day, we didn’t get up early like the previous two days. We had a leisurely breakfast and took a bus to the Tuban Culture Village for a guided tour. The content was really rich and made me understand more about some details of the harvest festival, things that textbooks don’t teach. I played puzzle games in the whole village. Although the sun was very strong on hot days, I could get to know them better, so why not? Except for the fact that there were a lot of bees. Everything else was amazing! In the afternoon, I went to the market in Taitung City. At first glance, the things were all handicrafts or postcards. On the way back, I visited Duoliang Station. I got off the bus and took a photo. Leave a memory.
DAY 4
I went to Xiaoyeliu early this morning to see the scenery. There were many unique landforms and landscapes. I also saw people fall down, and even their phones broke after jumping into the water. Although it was dangerous, the scenery was really good. The next stop was the Amis tribe-Duli tribe. The Chinese food was delicious. They really lived on the sea. I ate a lot of seafood. After resting, I went to experience bamboo rafting. The oars were very tall, the boats were very heavy, and the sea was very salty. Diving in the sea, floating on the sea, flowing with the waves, thinking about things, it was very relaxing. Very comfortable. Later, the water flowed upwards. It turned out that it was a phenomenon caused by visual effects, but it was still very cool. Today's experience is something I have never experienced before. Through this time, I have a better understanding that the aborigines are actually very systematic, not the stupid and dull ones that most people say. When they hunt, they will completely become a different person.
DAY 5
We spent almost all of the last day of the trip exercising. We went to Luye Plateau to watch the hot air balloons in the morning. Unexpectedly, everyone arrived so early and the tickets were sold out early, so we had to watch others go up and down. Later, we went to Luye for a bike ride. It was very comfortable along the way. In the afternoon, we visited a factory and saw how hard the farmers worked. We should eat the rice well and not waste it. Every grain of rice is hard-earned. I finally understand why I say that. Every grain of rice is really not easy to make. The next stop was to eat rice ice cream, which was delicious and special. The last stop was Brown Avenue. We rode again. There were wide rice fields and fresh air along the way. In addition to the large number of people, it was raining, which was a bit of a bummer. Finally, we arrived at Chihshang Station to go home. This journey taught me to be content and to cherish what I have. I should cherish the resources I have now and not be greedy. It also taught me to help and support each other when traveling with classmates. Only with them can we be a team!
Zhong Yirou
DAY 1
Today is the first day of the activity. We went to Xinxianglan English Camp to teach children English. The children were very lively and everyone was very eager to answer questions. The activity was very lively. Today's theme is TAIWAN AND THE FOOD. We taught them their favorite food and famous buildings in Taiwan. Today's activity is a very special experience for me. I have gained a lot. It is my first time to teach children English. Although I am a little shy, it will not be so difficult as long as I take the first step. I am looking forward to meeting the children tomorrow. Tomorrow must be another day to look forward to.
DAY 2
Today I also went to the Xinxianglan English Camp to teach English to the children, and prepared for the "Cultural Night" in the evening. You can report on your hometown culture or study abroad experience. Some people introduced studying abroad in Australia or the United States, and I reported on Hakka culture, introducing the origin and production methods of Lei Cha. There were many Aboriginal children and parents in the audience. Before the event started, there were performances by local youth and children. They played and sang and performed Aboriginal dances. We also had a video call with a professor from New York University to discuss the current issues of Arab women. I gained a lot in the whole day, learning English and watching Aboriginal performances. I hope we will have the opportunity to participate in activities together next time.
DAY 3
On the third day, we went to the Tuban tribe. The tour guide introduced the tribal culture to us. Tuban is one of the few tribes in Taiwan that has retained the "Five-Year Festival". As the name suggests, the Five-Year Festival is an event held every five years. The meaning of the event is to symbolize the blessing of the ancestors and the unity of the tribe. After the introduction, we did a level-breaking experience. Everyone has a different role. The secretary is our leader. He will help us assign tasks. I think the witch has the most important job, because before each activity starts, she has to do a blessing ceremony, dip her hands in millet wine and sprinkle it around, and then pray in her heart that the ceremony will go smoothly. I am a retainer and have to help the secretary do things. The first level is to make millet wine, the second level is to make rattan ornaments, and the third level is to recognize plants. At each level, they will give us offerings for us to offer to the leader. The most important meaning of this activity is "sharing". The food is not only offered to the chief, but the chief will also share the offerings with the elderly, the weak, women and children so that they will not be neglected and everyone will be taken care of.
DAY 4
We went to Xiaoyeliu today. Trey and I went rock climbing with other people because it rained yesterday and the rocks were a bit slippery. Later we went to the Duli Tribe, which is an Amis tribe. The Duli has existed since the Japanese colonial period. At that time, conflicts broke out due to dissatisfaction with the Japanese, and even a monument was erected to explain the origin of the outbreak. In the afternoon, we went to experience boating. When we slid to a place far away from the sea, everyone jumped into the sea together. I couldn’t adapt to the sea and kept drifting. When I was about to go ashore, I vomited. The coach laughed at me for seasickness. It seems that I am really not suitable for swimming in the sea. I prefer to be on the shore until I am about to drift away and be washed by the waves. I learned about the culture of the Duli Tribe today and went to the sea to play in the water. Although I was seasick, I still liked all the activities today.
DAY 5
Today is the fifth and last day of the activity. We got up at 4 o'clock to go to Luye Plateau to watch the sunrise, but the traffic jam delayed many of our activities. We didn't buy the hot air balloon tickets and didn't see the sunrise, which was a pity. The second stop was Longtian Bicycle Station. We went to the Green Avenue and saw the tea plantation and pineapple garden. After wandering around, we went to the next attraction. Next, we went to the Chihshang Tourism Farmers Association Factory to introduce why Chihshang rice is so delicious and famous. It is because of good water quality and no pesticides that such excellent rice can be made. Finally, we went to Brown Avenue and saw the Takeshi Kaneshiro tree. There were so many people queuing, and I finally chose another tree to take a photo. Now I am actually a little reluctant to leave, because when I first came, everyone was unfamiliar with me, and I thought I would not have a lot of fun. I cherish the hope that time can go slower, so that we can have a dream that will never end. I really gained a lot from this activity, and I also made friends. I really hope that I can participate again next time and study and volunteer with everyone!