【Text / Rtn. Cilin、Shop | Photograph / Rtn. Cilin、P.P. Wedding from Sanchung North】
【Translation / Rtn. William from Panchiao Elite】
Dec. 27th, 2012
The 8 clubs of the 1st Sub-district of District 3490, Rotary International in New Taipei City and two friendly clubs from Macau and the Philippines completed Matching Grants #75582 ceremony of donation at Honghua Children’s Orphanage in TaYuan Township of Taoyuan County, Taiwan and all the donators hold the spirit of “Reach Within to Embrace Humanity.”
This project based upon the donation mentioned above provides NT$1,200,000 for the Orphanage to equip a solar energy generator, as will generate about NT$4.7 million profits for the children within 20 years. This equipment will also enable the children of the Orphanage to lead a carefree environment in their growing up.
Meanwhile, we embrace a concept of doing our utmost in protecting our living environment by means of green-energy generation.
Lin, Chih-hsin
He was once a member of the National Assembly 26 years ago. After he left the Assembly, he gave up a well-fixed life and purchased four units of houses and buildings in Ta-yuan Township of Taoyuan County to establish the Honghua Children’s Orphanage. Mr. Lin and his wife almost spent all his money in order to take care of a bunch of disadvantaged children. Unfortunately, in 2007, his wife died in a car accident. He underwent heartrending grief over his wife’s death. Yet, he donated the amount of money which he got from his wife’s accident compensation and all his savings in the bank to Honghua Children’s Orphanage. He purchased four buildings and 540 pings (3.3057m2 per ping ) of land which totally amounted to NT$10 million-plus for the Orphanage with the view of providing the children in this Orphanage with the LOVE and COURAGE which the children need in their life journeys.
He carefully irrigated so as to let every child in this Orphanage to grow healthily. The children resembled big trees to start their life journeys and in the future they can also have the ability to shelter others. The unselfish dedication in the past 26 years, Mr. Lin have already helped almost 1,000 children. To him, this is the most meaningful thing in his life.
The cameraman, about 4 o’clock in the morning, arrived at the Honghua Children’s Orphanage, heard some rustling sound. They learned that some children had got up and managed to put things in order, as indeed is a very strenuous effort for them in such a piercing cold winter.
 |
When people were still having a sound sleep,
the children already got up and prepared for another new day. |
In this Orphanage, every child must learn to be independent. They didn’t have either cares from their relatives or concerns from their parents. They had to learn how to shoulder responsibilities on their own for
their life. To these children of the age, it’s a very heavy burden.
 |
| Here, all the personal cleanings in the morning must be done on one’s own. |
 |
| It’s extremely cold. Yet, the children also paid attention to sanitation. |
 |
| One must hang one’s own clothes on the clothes hanger and put on the veranda to air. |
The very first thing the children had to learn was “courtesy”. Whenever they saw a person, they
should greet the person politely. When our cameraman, accompanied by Uncle Lin, was trying to familiarize the environment, a passing child met with them and only greeted Uncle Lin. As a result, the child was called upon by Uncle Lin and scolded. Having seen this situation, we were sympathetic to that child.
 |
| Though it’s a mild punishment, the children must have borne in their mind Uncle Lin’s inculcation. |
Nevertheless, we realized that the education must start from the root. So, the good habits must be
cultivated from childhood. At the inmost of his heart, Uncle Lin has a very fervent anticipation of the country.
 |
Uncle Lin plays a role of both strict father and affable mother at the same time.
The children always like to nestle up to him. |
Uncle Lin thought that hours in the morning will be the best time for the children to read. Some younger children joyfully asked us to hug them for it is not easy for them to be visited during these hours. They also asked us to teach them in their studies. A bunch of children surrounded the cameraman and listened to his stories. To them, heartfelt concern is a very extravagant and hard-to-get gift to them.
 |
| Have no mountains of money, but ask for well-read state. |
 |
| Though it’s a plain hug, to the children, it’s a luxurious enjoyment. |
 |
| The children will be very happy when the visitors give them concerns. |
Those older children begin to study four Classics and five Books. It’s short of hands in this Orphanage, the volunteers try in an effort to teach the children even though they thought that the time is insufficient. What in their mind is to provide what they have even though it’s so meager so as to bring this Orphanage more help.
 |
| The older children, slightly sleepy, are still reciting the sayings in the Classics. |
 |
| The most respectable child-care worker is solving problems raised by the children. |
Before entering the Altar of Buddhism, Uncle Lin will ask the Altar to be cleared up. All the worshippers must hold a pure mind in reciting Buddha’s sayings and singing chants. Hopefully, these children can be purged in the Altar and with that they can also foster their wisdom. Moreover, they can become more grateful to those who have helped them.
 |
| All the cleaning work is handled with by the children in this Orphanage. |
 |
| Through the reading and reciting of Books and Classics, the children can purify and cultivate themselves. |
After the rites of Buddha worship, we began to clear up the environment in this Orphanage. Everyone will have their own assignment to do. When all are settled, we ended up the morning schedule. Then, we began to have our breakfast.
 |
| The small babies who are still wrapped in diapers also cleaned the environment with their older sisters. |
 |
Before having the meals, the children must speak out loud
their gratitude to the helps from different walks of life. |
There was a small child whose age might be only three or four years old standing next to me. It seemed that he already knew that it’s important to line up though he almost starved to death. He would not cut in the line impolitely. This though is a small unnoticed move. Yet, in my eyes, it made me touched very much. This is the national progress. In developed countries, it might be a very tiny thing. Nevertheless, a country must educate its people so that the country can proceed forward.
 |
| Previous moves let the children starve almost to death so that one cannot help but bite the cake. |
 |
| The children are queuing up in very good order for meals. |
 |
Nobody will jump the queue and Uncle Lin has all the same in the past twenty-plus years
presented the children with steaming vegetables. |
There are strict regulations here in taking meals. That is, each person must eat up his meal. So, there is no container for any kitchen wastes. All the meal-takers must wash their own bowl by themselves.
 |
| D.G. Andy of D3490 (right one) is having lunch with Rotarians in the Orphanage. |
 |
| Experience the children’s life. |
 |
| One must wash one’s own dining utensils after the meal. |
 |
| P.D.G. Kega (right) and P.P. Wedding (left) the Rotary Club of Sanchung North. |
 |
D.G. Andy (right), The President May from the Rotary Club of Luchou Yong Lian(middle)
and Rtn. Jason (left) |
The children here don’t request for wealthy livelihood. What they ask is merely to prevent themselves from starvation. They didn’t get any subsidization from government. They only got the donations from some beneficent people. Yet, the resources which they have might disappear unexpectedly some day.
 |
The children are contented with what they have now.
Nevertheless, in their eyes, they are craving for the exterior concerns. |
Therefore, this project is based upon an awarding program with an eye to developing a long-term and stable source of income by utilizing a zero-pollution solar energy generating device. The Orphanage also signed an electric power procurement with Taipower Co in Taiwan. The electric power generated by means of clean solar energy in this Orphanage will be sold to Taipower and the earnings will be totally used to take care of all the children here.
 |
| The Solar energy Generating Equipment in this Project. |
As Uncle Lin said, “We will provide the children in this Orphanage with the LOVE and COURAGE which
the children need in their life journeys.”
【Matching Grants #75582】
- Host Cosponsers：The 1st Sub-district of District 3490, Rotary International in New Taipei City
- International Cosponsers：
