Second stage of Pingtung Changzhi Baihe permanent housing, groundbreaking joint services is heart warming

To relocate Pingtung County civilians affected by Typhoon Morakot from Ali, Jilou, Jiamu, Yilan, Dawu of Wutai Township and Dalai, Dewen of Sandimen Township, the second stage of permanent housing (consisting of 106 households) for Chanzi Baihe village sponsored by Red Cross and Presbyterian Church held groundbreaking joint services earlier today (17th); tribespeople put on their traditional costumes to attend, and the Reconstruction Council, Council of Indigenous People, local government and Red Cross all sent representatives to witness this heart warming moment.

Director Chur Chi-Fang from the Department of Community Reconstruction, Reconstruction Council stated that the first stage and second stage of permanent housing sponsored by different NGOs would be located on the same site; it is a collection of love that crosses the boundary of religion and organization. The second stage of construction includes sustainable community building as part of the objectives, along with permanent housing. Residents are concerned with issues of public facilities, which will be subsidized by the government to meet their needs, by building a general community center, multi-purpose hall and providing land for various religious groups to build their own religious buildings. In addition, the government will plan scenic construction using elements from indigenous culture, and a makeover of the indigenous atmosphere for the site.

The county government has leased land from Taiwan Sugar Corporation with plans of making it into an organic agricultural site with indigenous specialties, which would provide job opportunities to local villagers and develop their skills. The county government will also train professionals among the tribespeople through programs subsidized by various departments in order to combine indigenous culture with tourism, and to create a new 3-in-1 (production, living and environment) home for tribespeople.

Groundbreaking joint services was attended by priests, ministers and members from the Catholic, Adventist, Methodist and Presbyterian churches. The ceremony began with the Ali Methodist church worship team offering their graceful hymns, praying that construction would be completed on time, that villagers may settle and be free from the inconveniences of flood season; the Jiamu and Kuchuan choir of the Presbyterian church, and the Ali and Jilou choir from the Adventist and Methodist church all took turns on stage praising God for giving, and prayed for trouble-free construction. Groundbreaking joint services lasted for two hours in a peaceful, heartwarming atmosphere. They also represent the beginning of the second stage of construction.