Dream Plan
Dream Plan
Persistence is like hands that are always extended,
Tightly pulling the world of compassion through merciless disasters.
The 「The Taiwan Melaleuca Charity 」 puts the spirit of helping others into action. Seeing each person we assist rise again is our greatest achievement! We hope you join us on the path of the Dream Realization Project, helping more people in need.
2025年
肯愛社會服務協會
肯愛社會服務協會
他們是誰呢?他們是一群走過憂鬱症創傷的朋友,曾經經歷過憂鬱症的總總煎熬。之後，為了能夠互相學習和彼此支持，在2004年共同成立了台灣第一個由憂鬱症病友所組成的非營利組織。 認識肯愛更多: 肯愛社會服務協會｜向憂鬱症學習並建立意義更新的生命與生活價值觀！ – Canlove
什麼是憂鬱症？
憂鬱症是一種陰霾般的低潮情緒籠罩的心理疾病，病人會因長期處於極度憂鬱的情緒狀態中，導致無法脫離低落的情緒，嚴重者甚至可能以自殺結束自己的生命。
憂鬱症也稱重性憂鬱障礙、單極性憂鬱障礙…等，屬於一種不分男女老幼與貧賤富貴皆有可能罹患的現代文明精神疾病，目前研究指出，以終生好發率而言，女性約為男性的兩倍，女性更要留心自己的身心狀況。
憂鬱症的風險往往容易被忽略，有憂鬱的人往往會否認或輕忽自己的症狀，或合理化為壓力所造成的，或者刻意不求助醫師，都會導致病情難以控制或處理，而導致日後難以挽回的悲劇。
為了提升對患有憂鬱症傾向的憂友們的認識，美樂家慈善關懷協會2025年與肯愛社會服務協會合作，藉由肯愛協會的經驗開辦志工培圳課程，以獲得與憂鬱症病友相處及關懷的方法來幫助我們週遭心愛的家人、朋友們。我們的培伴是對這些憂友們最好的心靈支持之一。
2025年度協助目標如下:
讓我們為憂鬱症病友們及偏鄉孩童的願望和笑容一起努力。請跟著我們一起做善事，歡迎大家加入慈善協會成為慈協會員！2025愛您愛我，請跟著我們一起做善事！
勸募期間:2024年12月19日至2025年9月30日
發行人∙魏悰暉∣編緝∙林芝儀 周麗珠 ∣地址∙台北市松山區八德路4段760號3F-2
Origin:
Among the residents of Orchid Island, nearly 90% belong to the Tao tribe. The tribe is deeply influenced by animistic beliefs, viewing illness as caused by evil spirits, which leaves those suffering from illness and terminal patients often in spiritual isolation. To promote localized palliative spiritual care services, the Melaleuca Charity and Care Association supported the Orchid Island Home Care Association in 2014 by donating funds to build the Yabu Shukanen Home Nursing Center, thus sponsoring local medical resources and services. As the demand for services continues to grow, in 2023, the association once again responded to the vision of the Orchid Island Home Care Association by raising funds for the "Hope Therapy Garden." In addition to the construction and equipment of the garden's buildings, including necessary expenses for personnel and administration, the total fundraising goal is NT$9,000,000.
About the Hope Therapy Garden:
- The Hope Therapy Garden provides a peaceful and comfortable healing environment for residents suffering from illness and their families. Through a professional and diverse medical team, it aims to offer comprehensive care for the body, mind, and spirit, ensuring holistic life services.
- Respecting and integrating local culture, the garden offers a space where those in grief and sorrow can find comfort through companionship and counseling, allowing them to positively remember and honor the deceased, healing their spirits.
- The Hope Therapy Garden provides both locals and visitors with a correct understanding of Orchid Island's local culture and health care context, while also serving as a platform for re-education.
Expected Service Outcomes:
- The association serves an average of 120 case families per year. It is expected that more than 720 residents will receive diverse, professional, and appropriate care services annually. Additionally, over 500 case families and their members will benefit from counseling and companionship, providing emotional comfort and support.
- The Hope Therapy Garden serves both cultural heritage preservation and educational purposes, offering tourists visiting Orchid Island each year the opportunity to learn about the island's funeral culture, gender boundaries, medical limitations, and more. It is expected to have at least 500 visitors per month, with an annual service volume of up to 6,000 visits.
Hope Therapy Garden
In 2014, the Charity Association donated funds to build the Yabu Shukanen Home Nursing Center on Orchid Island, which was completed that same year. It has become a beacon of light on this beautiful "Island of People," providing care for the health of the elders in the community, undeterred by traditional cultural views. In the Tao tribe's culture, illness and death are seen as the work of evil spirits. The goal is to ensure that elderly individuals living alone can maintain dignity, hope, and peace during their final years. The love of the nursing staff and administrative personnel at the home nursing center extends through home visits and care services. They are like angels, bringing redemption to these souls who have been cast aside by traditional culture. The Charity Association continues to support the needs of remote areas, and together, we can show our heartfelt respect for the elders in these villages.
As the saying goes, "Food is the heaven for the people." Cerebral palsy affects the ability to swallow and chew, making it especially difficult for individuals with cerebral palsy to enjoy a meal. Proper nutrition is crucial for the body’s absorption of essential nutrients and is directly linked to overall health. In response to this, the Melaleuca Charity and Care Association decided to partner with the Kaohsiung Cerebral Palsy Association and the Rock Foundation (hereafter referred to as the Rock Foundation) in 2021. Together, they are creating a dedicated central kitchen at the Rock Foundation’s "Flying Angel Sanctuary," which is currently under construction. This kitchen will be officially named "Melaleuca Kitchen." In the future, Melaleuca Kitchen will provide daily meals for the 465 meals per day and 96 cases of care for students and staff at the sanctuary.
The land area covers 8,171 ping (approximately 27,000 square meters), with the service mission focused on health, safety, professionalism, environmental sustainability, and lifelong care. The goal is to ensure that children with cerebral palsy receive the necessary care at every stage of their growth. Particularly, when parents grow elderly or are unable to provide care, the children will still be able to live, learn, and maintain a dignified life within the sanctuary.
"Give love, and let us become abundant people."Supporting the Empowerment Program for Orphaned Children in Remote Areas: A child with love is a child with strength.
The Taiwan Melaleucacharity has long been dedicated to the well-being of children in remote areas. In collaboration with the Orphaned Children Foundation, the Empowerment Program for Orphaned Children focuses on supporting orphaned families in the remote areas of Hualien. The program consists of three key initiatives:
- Group Music Empowerment.
- Thematic Educational Seminars.
- Parent-Child Grief and Loss Support Group.
Helping orphaned families rebuild a life perspective centered around "love," particularly by guiding children in a positive direction, maintaining an optimistic outlook, and fostering the development of a better future.
The Orphaned Children Foundation, through school institutions and public reporting, has accompanied many orphaned families through the grief of losing a loved one, offering support along the way. Since its establishment 51 years ago, it has served over 13,000 orphaned children. Currently, with 14 locations across Taiwan, the foundation serves nearly 6,000 children and over 4,000 families. The Melaleuca Charity and Care Association ensures that children do not lose opportunities for learning and growth due to the loss of their parents. The association actively cares for orphaned children across Taiwan, supporting them in continuing their education and transforming their lives through learning.
This year, the Melaleuca Charity and Care Association has partnered with the Zhishan Social Welfare Foundation to launch the "Mobile Education Program for Children in Remote Areas." The program invites everyone to help protect and nurture the growth of children in remote regions, bridging the gap in educational resources and creating a social safety net for these children. This year's fundraising theme focuses on education for children in remote areas, specifically targeting preschool-aged children. Preschool children require more patience and abundant resources in their care. The goal is to use mobile education vehicles to provide a safe environment for children to grow, offering diverse early learning experiences to prepare them for formal education.
The Zhishan Social Welfare Foundation primarily serves the indigenous communities in the Hsinchu Jianzi and Wufeng areas, with long-term, in-depth support for the Atayal tribe in Jianzi. It is the only nonprofit organization in Taiwan focused on the development of indigenous children and youth. The "Mobile Preschool" service, supported by the Melaleuca Charity and Care Association, was created in response to the lack of public preschool resources in remote areas. This new service model operates in 18 villages in Jianzi and Wufeng, providing care and companionship to 250 children. Additionally, it empowers 50 local women, delivering books, educational toys, social workers, and teachers via a single mobile unit. This ensures that no child is left behind due to the challenges of transportation. Empowering mothers is the best shortcut to caring for children. "Knowledge is power." By bringing educational resources directly into the mountains, children can learn, build confidence, and smile. We accompany them as they grow, unlocking the limitless possibilities of their futures.
※Sponsor the Mobile Education Program for Children in Remote Areas
Charity Association's Designated Support:
- Mobile Preschool Services.
- Building Childcare Spaces in Indigenous Communities.
- Home Visit Services.
Join Volunteer Services:
- Provide Services in Indigenous Communities.
- Accompany Children in Their Learning.
In 2018, The Taiwan Melaleuca Charity raised 800,000 NT dollars for the Joyful Foundation in just 10 minutes, supporting the foundation's mission to transform the lives of individuals with intellectual disabilities. The foundation believes in not only giving them fishing rods but also guiding them to places where they can catch fish. Each year, the Joyful Foundation provides job training, safe care, and other services to over a thousand individuals with intellectual disabilities. Through love and care, they remove obstacles and unlock their potential, helping them reintegrate into mainstream society. We hope to help these friends with intellectual disabilities find work, make friends, integrate into community life, and gain opportunities for independence.
◎ Case Story
Awen, the baker at the Joyful Foundation's Guangfu store, started as a sheltered worker in the foundation's sheltered workshop and is now a veteran baking partner at the Guangfu store. He has since become a regular employee and the lead baker at the store, guiding other sheltered workers. In 2018, Awen participated in the National Disability Skills Competition for the first time. With his skillful techniques and diligent practice, he won the championship and became the first-ever Bread Making Skills Champion. The judges commented, "Exceptional skills, with both subjective and objective scores perfectly matching the criteria. His work rhythm is smooth, well-organized, and the cleanliness meets a professional standard. All three works were presented flawlessly." Awen's success has not only made him a source of pride for himself and his family but also serves as an inspiration for all those with intellectual disabilities and the partners who support them.
Donating funds for the bed-bath service to maintain the physical dignity of vegetative patients.
In Taiwan, many individuals in a vegetative state are still cared for at home by their families. To improve the quality and skills of caregiving and provide comprehensive home care to families of individuals in a vegetative state, the Genesis Social Welfare Foundation launched its "Home Services for Vegetative Patients" in August 2003. This initiative has been implemented in 20 counties and cities, serving over 2,000 individuals (including bedridden elderly). One of the services provided is bed-bath assistance, which helps individuals who are unconscious or have stiff or weak limbs and cannot move (such as vegetative patients) maintain cleanliness. This service uses warm water to improve blood circulation, promote metabolism, relax muscles, and soften the limbs. The Genesis Foundation reported that from January to September of last year, their home-based bed-bath service reached a total of 29,403 visits across Taiwan, with each session costing approximately 600 NT dollars.
◎ Case Story
Seventy-one-year-old Mrs. Li has hearing impairment and intellectual disabilities. Eight years ago, she fell down the stairs twice and has been bedridden ever since following surgery. Her husband suffers from mental illness and prostate cancer, and their children work as factory workers and temporary workers. Despite their modest living conditions, the family continues to care deeply for their parents. Last year, the eldest daughter made the bold decision to quit her job and return home to care for her mother. She often takes photos with her mother on her phone, lovingly calling her "honey." The strong bond of family is truly touching. She said, "This is the best opportunity given by heaven to accompany my mother, and I must cherish it." Due to the lack of water on the first floor of their home, she had to carry her mother upstairs each time she needed to bathe, which was very exhausting. This year, the Genesis Foundation's home service helped and guided them in the bed-bath technique, making the bath process much more comfortable for Mrs. Li, who once loved bathing. After each bath, her restless emotions calm down, bringing her more cleanliness and comfort.
Genesis Foundation Service Data:
- The Genesis Foundation currently operates 17 vegetative care facilities, providing long-term care for over 700 individuals. Over the years, more than 2,000 individuals have received care through these facilities.
- There are approximately 4,000 individuals in a vegetative state across Taiwan.
- The home service program has been implemented in 20 locations, currently serving over 2,000 vegetative patients and bedridden elderly individuals. Over the years, more than 7,000 individuals have received this service.
- Over the past 31 years, the Genesis Foundation has alleviated the burden of more than 9,000 (nearly 10,000) families.
- Over the past 31 years, the Genesis Foundation's dual-track service for vegetative patients has alleviated the burden of more than 7,000 families of vegetative patients.
- The Genesis Foundation has provided free home services to over 7,000 families.
In 2017, we adopted 「阿嬤の尾仔子」 as our annual theme, focusing on the challenges faced by grandparent-grandchild families and raising funds for this cause. The designated beneficiary, selected by our organization, was the "Tainan Yeast Society for Social Care Association." Starting in January 2017, we committed to donating NT$30,000 monthly, with an initial plan spanning one year.
The 「Tainan Yeast Society for Social Care Association」 located in the Yujing District of Tainan, serves disadvantaged children and youth under the age of 18. As the area is predominantly agricultural, parents are often busy with farm work or employed in other regions, resulting in weaker parent-child interactions. The children primarily come from backgrounds such as single-parent families, economically disadvantaged households, grandparent-grandchild families, or impoverished conditions. The association provides various services, including family life counseling for single-parent and underprivileged families, meal programs for the elderly, and support for families in need. However, due to difficulties in fundraising, the association often struggles to make ends meet. Father Li Ruowang, the executive director, hopes to secure sponsorship from the charitable organization to ensure the smooth operation of the Yeast Society.
◎Case Study: The Story of Yu-Fen
Good times don't last forever. When I was in fifth or sixth grade, my grandmother suffered a stroke due to the busy farming season and extreme temperature changes. At that moment, the financial burden of the family suddenly fell on my shoulders at the young age of 12. On top of that, my aunts would constantly come back asking for money. In such an environment, my already gloomy personality worsened, and I developed a strong sense of inferiority. One day, by chance, I walked into a church and met Father Li Ruowang. I don’t know where the courage came from, but I boldly told Father Ruowang, "I don’t want to live the same life as my mother and aunts. I just want to study and live like any other child." When Father Ruowang saw this courageous girl asking for help, he told me, "As long as you're willing to work hard, I will help you with anything you need in your studies." At first, I thought Father was just speaking words of encouragement, but from that moment all the way to my graduate studies, his words and actions have had a profound impact on me. I learned to play guitar from him, and he even found outside teachers to help me learn bass, which boosted my confidence. He also gave me great opportunities to perform and share my story, using my own experiences to inspire others and help those in need.
Yu-Fen, during her free time, returns to the Yeast Society, where she has built a close bond with the children. She shares her experiences and offers support, becoming a positive role model for them. Her connection with the kids has grown strong, and she continues to inspire them with her own journey of overcoming challenges and pursuing her dreams.
Donating equipment to connect children in rural areas with the world.
On September 9th, the "Rural English Tutoring Service Project" was held at Quanyuan Elementary School, featuring a "Big and Small Schoolmates Reunion" and an equipment donation ceremony. The Taiwan Melaleuca Charity Care Association's Chairman, Mr. Lyu Lishou, along with Supervisors Cai Fumei, Han Yuyu, Liu Shuzhen, and Zhan Yicheng, attended the event to show their support. The Association donated 100,000 NT dollars to cover the costs of purchasing necessary equipment for the project, including webcams, headphones, and microphones.
This "Rural English Tutoring Service Project" is being promoted at Quanyuan Elementary School by the Rotary International District 3480. The project aims to create a convenient online learning environment, with students from Taipei First Girls' High School and Kezhi High School providing English tutoring services. This initiative is designed to help children at Quanyuan Elementary School achieve higher quality learning. The Taiwan Melaleuca Charity Care Association hopes that this donation will serve as a catalyst for others to focus on "Rural Tutoring Service Projects." Together, we can improve the learning resources for children in rural areas, enhance their competitiveness, and create a future filled with hope!
Renovating Chi-Hui Garden: Creating a Warm Home with Love.
Due to the increasing care needs of individuals with intellectual disabilities, some facilities at the Kaohsiung Red Cross Children's Center, Chi-Hui Garden, had become outdated and urgently needed repairs. The Taiwan Melaleuca Charity Care Association generously donated 1.07 million NT dollars to assist with the "Facility Renovation and Upgrading Project." The completion and unveiling ceremony was held on June 29th (Wednesday), attended by the Association's Chairman Mr. Lyu Lishou, Executive Chairman Ms. Ye Jingjing, board members, staff, and a total of 11 participants.
On that day, the children from the garden performed a taiko drum piece, "Wang Chun Feng Sonata." Watching them overcome obstacles and showcase their hard work was deeply moving for everyone present. The renovation focused on improving facilities such as the bathrooms, roof, and air conditioning. Led by the Director, Ms. Lin Lingjun, everyone had the opportunity to tour the updated facilities. The renovated environment is now more practical and comfortable, providing individuals with intellectual disabilities a better quality of life and a more secure place to rely on.
Let our love help the earthquake survivors become a light that illuminates others' paths in the future.
Member Hong Chia-Yi from the 15th floor of F Building in the Weiguan disaster was trapped and injured along with his wife and child when the building collapsed. After being rescued, Hong Chia-Yi suffered double amputation of his legs and is still receiving treatment in the intensive care unit at Chengda Hospital, not yet out of danger. His wife, Yang Wei-Ning, suffered multiple fractures to her pelvic and thigh bones and has been transferred to Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital for surgery and ongoing treatment. Their six-month-old child, after receiving intensive care treatment at Chengda Hospital, has been discharged. While the family is fortunate to have survived, the road ahead will be long and difficult. The process of rebuilding their home, bodies, and spirits is just beginning.
On March 2, The Taiwan Melaleuca Charity Association, led by Chairman Lu Li-Shou and Executive Director Ye Jing-Jing, visited Yang Wei-Ning to offer their condolences and provide emergency relief funds. Yang Wei-Ning shared, "The good neighbors we used to greet and look out for every day suddenly vanished from this world in one night. I have truly experienced how fragile life is. The fortunate ones who survived, besides feeling grateful, must also be strong and live on for those who are no longer with us." She expressed her gratitude to The Taiwan Melaleuca Charity Association for their timely assistance, stating that despite the challenges ahead, she would continue to move forward. "Although we have been hurt, in the future, we will become that light that shines on others."
Spending All Her Wealth to Help Those in Need – Granny Chen Chou from Puli
Those who know her affectionately call her "Grandma." Granny Chen Chou from Puli has dedicated her life to social welfare, healthcare, religion, judicial services, and environmental protection. In 1969, a serious illness changed her values and altered the course of her once ordinary life, leading her to a deeper understanding of life. She realized that surviving such a calamity meant she was meant to do more good deeds. In 1983, together with all the volunteers, she founded the "Yu Qing Gong Liang Xian Tang Charity Association," which not only provided aid to the poor and scholarships but also expanded to organize free clinics, rescue operations, and youth counseling. To provide more stability and warmth to society, she helped the Nantou Family Support Center raise nearly 12 million NT dollars for the construction of a children's center. Fully committed to guiding and educating young people, she donated land to build the "Chen Chou Youth Education Center," which was officially handed over to the Nantou Family Support Center in early 2000. In 2000, she established the "Liang Xian Tang Social Welfare Foundation" and served as the first chairman. The foundation later expanded to include the "Chen Chou Youth Service Center" and the "Chen Chou Youth Home" in 2006 and 2012, respectively. Her focus was on the prevention and education of issues related to children and teenagers, aiming to reduce future societal problems by providing proper care and education to the youth. Now in her 80s, despite having undergone multiple rounds of cancer treatment, her passion and commitment to serving society have never wavered. Her unwavering faith and warm smile embody her style. People often call her a "Bodhisattva of mercy" for all the suffering she alleviates. She puts aside her own pain and focuses entirely on the suffering of others, always striving to help more people in need.
Every year in May, a group of angels from all over the country, dancing freely to showcase the brilliance of life, participate in the "Leaping Notes of Life – 14th Central and Southern Region Intellectual Disability Cheerleading Competition," organized by the Taiwan Association for the Promotion of Services for People with Disabilities. The association launched the first cheerleading competition in the Northern and Eastern regions in 1993, and this year marks the 14th edition of the Central and Southern Region event.
On this day, May 4th (Sunday), the event was held at Wenxin Forest Park in Taichung City. The sun smiled down with its golden rays, creating a beautiful atmosphere that further inspired the participants. With the support and encouragement of many, 33 teams from special education classes (institutions) in high schools, junior high schools, and elementary schools in the Central and Southern regions participated. These teams included students with intellectual disabilities such as Down syndrome, autism, cerebral palsy, and multiple disabilities, totaling 630 students, along with their teachers, parents, and volunteers, bringing the total number of participants to 1,273.
The Taiwan Melaleuca Charity was also invited to attend, and was represented by Ms. Jiang Guihua, the Executive Director of the Taichung branch, who personally visited the event. She showed support for all the participants by cheering them on and encouraging the children in their enthusiastic performances. During the opening ceremony, a representative from The Taiwan Melaleuca Charity took the stage to accept the certificate of appreciation presented by the organizers.
When we see a group of angelic children, unconcerned by their physical coordination or the blurred vision they may have, they turn their obstacles into a beautiful stage. On this stage, they use their own passion, energetically moving and dancing with their unique vitality, expressing their confidence, and jumping out the most beautiful notes of their lives. At the same time, we also witness the joyful smiles of the children and their parents, and the tears that inevitably flow, touched by the moment.
『Intelligence with love, talent without barriers』 also aims to showcase the potential of these children in public spaces, helping society accept and respect them. Through such activities, it enhances the self-affirmation, honor, and optimistic spirit of individuals with intellectual disabilities, guiding them toward a brighter future.
『To love them is to give them a chance.』This is a wonderful encouragement that brought great inspiration and strength to both the children and teachers. The teachers' companionship and patient guidance helped the students stand on stage, bringing them more joy and confidence! The children's awards became a huge motivator, and the parents also shared in the joy. We felt, and saw, the infinite potential of these children! Watching the little ones display different traits and outstanding performances—showing vitality, enthusiasm, cooperation, and team spirit—through the lens, we witnessed how these angelic children dance with passion for life, blooming with confidence and energy.
『Love』exists because of you, because of me. With more love, there is less hindrance. Let love flow, let love continue, for it is present everywhere. The Taiwan Melaleuca Charity is committed to giving back to society and doing good deeds. We contribute what we can, and if we are capable, we act. This has been our practice in the past and will continue in the future. When we treat others with sincerity, those who are kind-hearted will reciprocate with warmth. We hope that both you and I are sincere and kind-hearted individuals. Through this event, we also hope to inspire others, attracting more members to actively participate in future charitable activities. The charity will continue to support related public welfare projects, and we welcome you to join us in spreading love forward.
The commemorative bronze statues of Grandfather Yang and Grandmother Yang were unveiled.
The Taiwan Melaleuca Charity has consistently supported the Liouguei Children’s Home over the years, assisting with the needs of the facility to ensure the children understand they are not alone, and that many people are quietly caring for them, offering a helping hand. In June 2013, the founders of the Liouguei Children’s Home, Grandfather Yang and Grandmother Yang, passed away. To honor their selfless contributions and unconditional love, they invited Wang Zhihwen, a public artist and adjunct lecturer at the National Taipei University of the Arts, to create commemorative statues of the couple. The statues aim to preserve their spirit of great love, allowing the children to grow up in a warm, loving family environment.
In July 2013, The Taiwan Melaleuca Charity led Melaleuca leaders on a visit to Liugui Children's Home, where a charity sale of sports packages and a fundraising campaign for the memorial statues of Grandpa and Grandma Yang took place. A total of NT$324,600 and NT$1,064,000 were raised. After deducting the production costs of the statues and other event-related expenses, the remaining funds were fully donated to Liugui Children's Home. Thanks to the collective efforts of all involved, the unveiling ceremony of the statues of Grandpa and Grandma Yang took place on October 30, 2013. The atmosphere was warm and touching, as everyone present paid tribute to the selfless love of Grandpa and Grandma Yang, and it was clear that the spirit of helping others would continue to be passed on.
In October 2013, the donation ceremony for the statues of Grandfather Yang and Grandmother Yang took place. During the ceremony, Director Yang Zijiang (second from the left) and artist Wang Zhihwen (on the right) were present.
At the unveiling ceremony, the board members and invited donors took a group photo together as a memento of the event.
Million Tree Forest Planting Campaign
Looking back at May 6, 2012, The Taiwan Melaleuca Charity and Melaleuca Taiwan, along with team leaders and all members, participated in the "Go Love Melaleuca, Plant Trees to Protect the Earth - Million Tree Planting Campaign" in the Cat'er Kan area of Lunbei Township, Yunlin County. Over 2,000 members, along with their families, traveled from all over Taiwan to the mouth of the Zhi Shui River. The initiative encouraged each person to adopt a tree, and together, they planted 2,783 native Taiwanese trees under the scorching sun. The event saw families working together to create the "Melaleuca Forest." On that day, more than 100 buses and cars were on site, with the Yunlin County Police Department providing support. County Mayor Su Zhi-Fen led the county government team to the event, and the locals provided an abundance of delicious food and agricultural products. Watermelons weighing tens of kilograms were being cut non-stop. The event was grand in scale, marked a historic milestone, and the local community still fondly remembers it today.
Over the years, our garden has gone through many challenges, including tree planting, weeding, the invasion of non-native species, toxic waste dumping, soil erosion caused by heavy rain, scorching summer heat, typhoons, storms, and the strong winds and sand in the autumn and winter seasons. It has truly been a tough journey! The Yunlin County Government, recognizing our efforts, specially allocated funds to install windbreaks, create drainage systems, and, following ecological restoration principles, selected strong tree species from the twelve varieties we planted to carry out replanting. It's gratifying to see that the actions and efforts of the private sector can influence local governments to join in.
On April 20, 2017, the board of directors and supervisors returned to the garden to witness the success of ecological restoration! Upon our visit, we saw that under the scorching sun of southern Taiwan, every tree was flourishing, stretching upwards with vigor. Each year, they grow stronger and taller, brimming with vitality and hope! In particular, the white-leaved paperbark, water yellow skin, and casuarina trees have thrived exceptionally well, showcasing the resilience of Taiwan's native tree species—drought-resistant, wind-resistant, and heat-tolerant!
「The Melaleuca Forest Garden」, thanks to the love and support of the Melaleuca family, we worked together to contribute both financially and physically to heal Taiwan's land. Together, we transformed barren land into a rich and thriving ecological forest garden! In addition to the trees we planted, there are numerous plants thriving on-site, including salt-loving grass, Bidens, morning glory, Showa grass, dandelion, mulberries, and the invasive silver wattle. From the land that once cried, small grasses have returned, insects have returned, and the ecosystem is recovering... Birds have come to sing, witnessing the restoration of nature, and our Mother Earth can now hear the songs!
In 2012, one person, one sapling — doing our part for environmental conservation.
The green saplings were successfully restored through the collective care and love of the people.
The entire group took a photo with the stone monument, commemorating the five years of success at the Melaleuca Forest Park.
On April 20, 2017, the directors and supervisors returned to 「the Melaleuca Forest Park」 in the Maokong area of Yunlin to witness the results of ecological restoration. Thanks to the love and care of the Melaleuca family, we worked together to give back to Taiwan's land, transforming barren fields into an ecologically rich haven!
Japan's 3/11 Tohoku Earthquake
On March 11, 2011, a massive magnitude 9 earthquake struck northeastern Honshu, Japan, followed by a devastating tsunami. Roads were destroyed, houses collapsed, and tens of thousands of people lost their lives or went missing, leaving countless others homeless.
Upon learning of the disaster, the Melaleuca Charity Care Association immediately established the 'Japan Relief Donation Account' for the 3/11 Tohoku Earthquake. All members quickly demonstrated their compassion and empathy, raising a total of 1.53 million TWD. The Charity Association entrusted the total donation to Melaleuca's Japan branch, contributing our modest support to help Melaleuca's Japanese members affected by the disaster rebuild their homes.
A donation account for the Japan earthquake raised 1.53 million TWD to support the 3/11 Tohoku Earthquake relief efforts.
The 8/8 Flood Disaster severely impacted southern Taiwan.
The 8/8 Flood Disaster severely impacted the Kaohsiung-Pingtung area, and the Six-Gui Children’s Home, which the association had long supported, was also unable to escape the devastation, becoming one of the hardest-hit areas. At that time, Grandpa Yang, Grandma Yang, and the children were trapped there. After the storm, the disaster area looked as devastating as shown in the news, with widespread destruction and power and water outages. With urgent assistance from the military, Grandpa and Grandma Yang were evacuated from the disaster zone. Melaleuca immediately donated 300,000 TWD to help settle the children’s post-disaster living situation and support the reconstruction of the facility.
Carrying Grandma on his back, Brother Ye also grew up here.
Urgently sent Grandpa out of the disaster area.
The Liugui Children Protection Project
The new construction of the Liugui Children's Home Activity Center aims to create a safe home for the children.
Founded nearly 50 years ago, the Liugui Christian Education Children’s Home in Kaohsiung County was established by Pastor Yang Xu and his wife, Principal Lin Fengying, to care for and support indigenous orphans. These children became the foster children of the Yang couple, reflecting their unwavering love and remarkable achievements. The orphanage takes in children ranging from two years old to their twenties, with some staying in the home while others attend various schools. In November 2006, during a visit organized through the recommendation of Mrs. Yang Endian, the Taiwan Melaleuca Charity witnessed certain areas of the home that were overgrown with weeds. It was also observed that the children often played basketball near the parking lot, lacking a safe outdoor space for recreation. This inspired the initiative to create a dedicated recreational area for the children.
The Taiwan Melaleuca Charity sponsored the Liugui Children's Home construction project in five phases over a period of four years, with a total donation of 5.809 million TWD. The project focused on rebuilding the Parent-Child Activity Center, which was divided into four phases. The first phase, an open-air performance stage, was completed in 2007. The second phase, outdoor teaching tables and chairs, was finished in 2009. In February 2011, the third phase, a pavilion and walkway corridor, was completed. The entire reconstruction project was completed in 2011. This multi-functional 'Melaleuca Recreation Park' now provides a safe space for interaction and communication for the children of the orphanage as well as various social organizations and schools within the Maolin National Scenic Area, helping make the children’s dreams come true!
