88 disaster-affected Tsou smallholder farmers from the tea mountains donate their own quality food to their Atayal compatriots in the north

On August 8, 2009, Typhoon Morakot devastated the Tsou (Cou) tribal communities of Alishan. During the disaster, young people of the Atayal people once carried supplies on foot to the Leye, Lijia and Shanmei communities, and even braved danger by crossing rivers to press on to the Chashan community, warming and encouraging the affected Tsou people. In 2010, this group of Tsou smallholders established the Chashan Mixed Grains Production and Marketing Group to grow traditional crops, determined to "find the chance to stand up again on their own land."

In 2015, also on August 8, Typhoon Soudelor devastated the communities where Atayal people live in the north. The Tsou smallholders of the Chashan Mixed Grains Production and Marketing Group, grateful for the warm support the Atayal compatriots had once given them, hoped to deliver Chashan Good Food to the disaster-stricken Atayal communities. So, through the Taiwan Beautiful Gate Care Service Association, they joined with the Dongshi Guoben Mountain Farmers Cooperative, also founded after the 921 disaster, to launch a donation drive, donating Chashan organic mixed grains and Dongshi pesticide-free pears at discounted prices to the communities hit by Typhoon Soudelor and to organizations serving the disadvantaged.

Having been through disaster, they fully understand the longing for fresh food

In addition to the existing Chashan Mixed Grains Production and Marketing Group, Liu Nanying also got to know farmers growing vegetables, fruit and fish products through local churches, care homes and community organizations. She said that many church members are farmers themselves, or the people their pastors care for are farmers; with their participation, they can also help safeguard the quality of agricultural production.

The closest collaboration in the past 3 years has been the grafted pears grown by Sun Changmao and his wife, members of the Guoben Mountain Farmers Cooperative in Dongshi, Taichung. Through the platform of the Taiwan Beautiful Gate Care Association, last year these were already shared with 67 local churches and care homes, and then further distributed into the hands of disadvantaged children in after-school care classes, elderly people living alone, people with disabilities and members of unemployed, discouraged middle-aged families.

"Disadvantaged friends who are used to receiving donated supplies like instant noodles and canned goods, when they see a pear with a market price of 100 yuan and as big as their face, that look of delight is as unforgettable as the 'sea bass test.'" Liu Nanying said happily. To make sure that the donated goods really reach the hands of disadvantaged families, Liu Nanying and An Qixin also try their best to visit the recipient families in person.

Grateful for northern Atayal youth's efforts during Typhoon Morakot, Chashan Tsou want to give back to Typhoon Soudelor survivors

The worst-hit areas of Typhoon Soudelor this time were mainly Wulai, Sanxia and Xindian in New Taipei City and Fuxing Township in Taoyuan City. Most of the people there are Atayal community compatriots. Members of the Alishan Township Chashan Mixed Grains Production and Marketing Group had received help from Atayal youth who transported supplies during Typhoon Morakot. To repay that kindness, this time, through the Taiwan Beautiful Gate Care Association combined with the Dongshi Guoben Mountain Farmers Cooperative, they launched a warming action, using high-quality Chashan organic good food and Dongshi pesticide-free pears as the targets of this good-food donation.

Liu Nanying said that in addition to offering a 20% discount on the sale price to take part in the donation, the farmers of the two groups also hoped to attract more support, so that more charitable resources could be invested in this warming action. Friends who are interested can call Liu Nanying, chairwoman of the Taiwan Beautiful Gate Care Service Association, at 0911-246175, 02-23215130, email: [email protected], or go directly to the Facebook fan page of the "Taiwan Beautiful Gate Care Service Association, a juridical association" to learn more.