Creative Miaoli community wins award

2014-12-17

Jiasheng Community in Miaoli County was recently honored at the inaugural Purple Ribbon Award of the Ministry of Health and Welfare with its ingenuous activities to abate gender violence and boost the rights of the underprivileged, becoming Taiwan’s only community to receive the honor.

“We feel extremely proud of the community’s award and its joint efforts with the county government to minimize domestic violence and help the disadvantaged,” Miaoli County Magistrate Liu Cheng-hung said while receiving representatives from Jiasheng Dec. 15 at the county hall.

“Miaoli is pleased to serve as an example and encourage the public to participate in these undertakings. It is important for us to continue fostering a healthy environment for all in the county.”

According to Jiasheng Community Development Association Director Hu Sen-ling and Secretary-General Alica Chang, the community’s wide array of creative programs launched three years ago target children, the disabled, the elderly and women.

They include an aerial film clip of 360 community members forming the shape of a purple ribbon at a courtyard in September and 10 gender equality skits performed across Miaoli in June.

The officials said while all of the programs were praised by the MOHW, the film stood out and received recognition. “The movie was commended for not only leaving a deep impression on audiences, but also spotlighting the purple ribbon concept.”

Equally outstanding was the idea to hand out rice dishes imprinted with the mark of the ribbon to the underprivileged during Miaoli’s food festivals. “The recipients often inquire about the symbol, and our staff members are always pleased to share with them the message behind it.”

Hu and Chang said they will not rest on their laurels, but instead will keep leading the community in improving the lives of those at the lower echelons of society.

In addition to Hu, 19 other winners were honored at a presentation ceremony Nov. 22 in New Taipei City. They include Chi Hui-jung, CEO of the Garden of Hope Foundation in New Taipei, and Hwa Hsiao-lin, visiting physician at Taipei City-based National Taiwan University Hospital.

Source: Taiwan Today (http://taiwantoday.tw/ct.asp?xItem=225279&ctNode=445)