International Volunteer Experience Learning and See the Need for Creation of Self Value
In order to help the youth develop their global views and strengthen the youth’s Service-Learning attitude, Department of Youth Affairs, Taoyuan established the “Youth International Volunteer Subsidy Plan”. In 2016, it has received the applications from a total of 10 volunteer groups and at last, the 10 volunteer groups were subsidized, including Yuan Ze University, CYCU, National Taipei University of Business, Hsin Sheng College of Medical Care and Management, Lunghwa University of Science and Technology, Chang Gung University of Science and Technology, Green Life Association, and Taiwan Toy Library Association.
In the recent years, the volunteer and backpacker cultures have been communicated to Taiwan from Europe and the U.S.A. successively. This kind of special education claiming experience of poverty and self-inspiration has been recognized and also valued. Children leave their parents and learn to utilize the existing resources to help international friends in rural areas without support from their parents and, therefore, learn to self-serve, support and provide adequate assistance. They may create and also discover their self-value therefor. Children may learn the results of interpersonal relations, such as global view, teamwork, simplicity, passion and even sense of humor, through the “experience learning” and “Service-Learning”. This should be very precious experience that the youth can never learn in Taiwan under the protection from parents. Director-General of the Department of Affairs, Chen Chia-Chun, mentioned that the Department of Affairs has provided the subsidy since it was founded last year, and in 2015, it has subsidized a total of 6 international volunteer groups consisting of 62 persons to provide service to 3267 persons in South East Asia countries. In consideration of the excellent results, the Department decided to continue the plan this year. Director-General Chen said that children cannot live in an over-protected environment forever. They may cherish what they have and feel the value of happiness and freedom only after experiencing poverty and frustration; therefore, we hope that more young people can participate in the project.
Among these subsidized projects, the “Love Myanmar, Love Cambodia” project proposed by CYCU was mostly recognized by the examiners because it focused on humanistic care, innovation and creative ideas. The group members were willing to be dedicated to the long-term English teacher training camp and guide children to learn foreign languages in the form of life learning, so that the rural area disadvantaged children could be brave to speak English and develop more learning opportunities. This project was awarded high valuation and expectation by the examiners.
The youth volunteer groups which received subsidy in 2016 will go abroad to execute the service projects in July. After they close the project and return back to Taiwan, the presentation of results will be planned and held at the end of this year to present the contents of service. Department of Youth Affairs, Taoyuan welcomes all young people to participate in the international volunteer service projects actively. Let us walk out of Taiwan together to see the world and others’ needs and grow more.
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