2010-11
For each and every project, we want to ensure that our ears are solidly planted on the ground so that we can hear the true voices of the people and address the cultural nuances of working with different aborigine communities.
In our initial year (2010-2011), we began with our focus on four main areas: business advisory, tourism, nurturing arts and culture, and integrating resources. We hope to develop sustainable businesses, to create opportunities in the Huatung (Hualien and Taitung) region, allowing the people to stay in their hometown, thereby preventing skip-generation upbringing and preserving the family unit.
Huatung, a remote region inhabited by many indigenous tribes, is rich in culture but poor in economic resources. Located in the mountainous eastern part of Taiwan, Huatung is known for its unsurpassed natural beauty, making it an ideal slow travel destination; however, due to its lack of access, the region has been relatively underdeveloped. In our effort to help initiate positive development into the region, we undertook projects that facilitated tourism businesses to grow and progress into globally recognized standards. In 2011, we brought in a total of 1111 visitors (79 groups) to the region.
One of our first projects was to provide advisory services to the local businesses in Huatung. We began with the approach to lead businesses in the manner we saw fit; however, through time and involvement, we learned that our method did not solve the underlying problems of businesses. Rather than leading, we began supporting and guiding the businesses, while carefully listening to demands, accepting criticism and taking advice while allowing them to find their own structure. Our goal is to not only teach them how to fish, but to also teach them how to gather the fish, and to ensure long term success.
To nurture arts and culture, we formed altogether seven camps and workshops. We invited domestic and international students, as well as educators in art, tourism, and design to help support and conduct these programs. In the end, a total of 516 Huatung children participated. The camps allowed children to explore their talents and engage in new experiences, while the workshops focused on developing skills such as creating art and furniture out of driftwood, audio engineering, as well as sushi making.
With our resources, we’ve involved other non-profit organizations to partake in the development of the Huatung region. Each with different expertise, we've invited them to share development programs such as promoting in-school reading development, and learning shelter programs to further inspire the people, and bring in much needed resources.
In our initial year (2010-2011), we began with our focus on four main areas: business advisory, tourism, nurturing arts and culture, and integrating resources. We hope to develop sustainable businesses, to create opportunities in the Huatung (Hualien and Taitung) region, allowing the people to stay in their hometown, thereby preventing skip-generation upbringing and preserving the family unit.
Huatung, a remote region inhabited by many indigenous tribes, is rich in culture but poor in economic resources. Located in the mountainous eastern part of Taiwan, Huatung is known for its unsurpassed natural beauty, making it an ideal slow travel destination; however, due to its lack of access, the region has been relatively underdeveloped. In our effort to help initiate positive development into the region, we undertook projects that facilitated tourism businesses to grow and progress into globally recognized standards. In 2011, we brought in a total of 1111 visitors (79 groups) to the region.
One of our first projects was to provide advisory services to the local businesses in Huatung. We began with the approach to lead businesses in the manner we saw fit; however, through time and involvement, we learned that our method did not solve the underlying problems of businesses. Rather than leading, we began supporting and guiding the businesses, while carefully listening to demands, accepting criticism and taking advice while allowing them to find their own structure. Our goal is to not only teach them how to fish, but to also teach them how to gather the fish, and to ensure long term success.
To nurture arts and culture, we formed altogether seven camps and workshops. We invited domestic and international students, as well as educators in art, tourism, and design to help support and conduct these programs. In the end, a total of 516 Huatung children participated. The camps allowed children to explore their talents and engage in new experiences, while the workshops focused on developing skills such as creating art and furniture out of driftwood, audio engineering, as well as sushi making.
With our resources, we’ve involved other non-profit organizations to partake in the development of the Huatung region. Each with different expertise, we've invited them to share development programs such as promoting in-school reading development, and learning shelter programs to further inspire the people, and bring in much needed resources.
Stanley C. Yen
Chairman
Chairman
