Commentary

Walking Taiwan for the elderly and homeless

• Publication Date：12/09/2009
• Source： Liberty Times

Beginning Dec. 7, Hsu Cheng-kai will walk over 1,000 kilometers around Taiwan in 39 days to raise money for solitary elders and the homeless.

Earlier this year, the 30-year-old Hsu already circled the island on his bike in 12 days to raise money for the Genesis Social Welfare Foundation. He said, "I didn't do too well at that. I only raised NT$4,000" (US$124). This time around, Hsu is not going to accept cash from anyone; he will be passing leaflets to locals he meets along the way. He hopes they will donate money directly to the foundation, rather than giving it to him.

After Hsu completed his compulsory military service, he went to work for an insurance brokerage company and served as a CEO for the organization. Two years ago, he attended the Kincheng International Youth Business Association, and last year he came into contact with the Genesis foundation's activities and learned that the foundation aimed to serve persons in persistent vegetative states, the elderly and the homeless.

Seeing the plight of the elderly living alone without family members to care for them, and seeing street people with nowhere to go, Hsu said, "This time, I'm determined to experience the life of a homeless person with no place to go, so that I can do something for them and for the elderly living alone. Fortunately I have individuals, companies and even the Genesis Social Welfare foundation supporting my efforts, and I've gotten 39 days off from work, which is really a long time."

Hsu has planned a trip spanning 1,111 kilometers, traveling an average of 30 kilometers per day with a backpack weighing 12-13 kilograms. To keep his feet in good shape, he has tried to pack as little weight as possible, and he is traveling with only two pairs of pants, three sweatshirts, three pairs of socks, two pairs of shoes and a jacket.

Hsu said because the foundation runs nine shelters around the island, he can spend the night at any one of them. If there is no shelter available, he will find a well-lit, safe area in front of a business to roll out his sleeping bag for the night.

Hsu and the personnel at the Tainan office of the Genesis Social Welfare Foundation plan to meet up again on January 15. The Foundation hopes that Hsu's efforts will make the Chinese Lunar New Year celebrations a little brighter for elderly shut-ins and homeless people around the island.

(This article first appeared in the “Liberty Times” Dec. 8, 2009.)