Taiwan Church News 3050 Edition August 9~15, 2010

Reported by Sam Lee. Written by Lydia Ma.

PCT signed a formal agreement with Pingtung County on August 5, 2010, and accepted the task of building permanent housing units for Aborigines living in Changjhih Township in Pingtung. It’ll pick up where Buddhist Compassion Relief (Tzu-Chi) left off and see this project to its completion.

Though the first phase of this project was given to Compassion Relief, which oversaw the completion of 154 houses, Pingtung County agreed to include PCT in rebuilding efforts in Changjhih after consultation with Aborigines and church leaders. Henceforth, PCT will take over the second phase of construction work in Changjhih, which will include 108 houses and 9 chapels.

PCT officials underscored that Aborigine culture and preferences would be respected for the remainder of this project and all future residents will participate fully in the construction process. The new community will be named “Changjhih Lily Reservation“, in accordance with the wish of its future residents. The lily is the official symbol of Rukai and Paiwan Aborigines.

When PCT General Secretary Andrew Chang signed this agreement on behalf of PCT and other Christian organizations with Pingtung County Magistrate Tsao Chi-hung, he was accompanied by “88 Rebuilding Ministries” Convener Rev. Chiohh Lyiam-Syian and CEO Rev. Lyim Hong-tiong, and Rukai Rebuilding Center Coordinator Rev. Pelenge.

“This moment was truly the result of hard work,” commented Rev. Chang. He applauded the efforts of everyone who helped make this day possible and emphasized though PCT was taking over rebuilding efforts, Tzu-Chi’s efforts should also be recognized.

He underscored that respect for the culture, tradition, and preferences of Aborigine residents must take precedence throughout rebuilding efforts, regardless of which organization is assigned to build permanent housing units in the end.

Several sections and houses in Changjhih Lily Reservation were built by Tzu-Chi in less than one year, as per its agreement with government agencies. A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held on August 6, two days before the first anniversary of the typhoon. President Ma visited the reservation on that day to cut the ribbon at the ceremony.

Commenting on Pingtung County’s partnership with PCT, Magistrate Tsao Chi-hung confessed that setting a track record in government efficiency, winning voter support, and securing support from the central government had blinded his administration to the needs of Aborigines. He apologized for his administration’s lapse in judgment in the past year.

Tsao said PCT and various social organizations had tried to explain to him the concerns of Aborigines on various occasions and he later came to understand how important it was for Aborigines to “live and breathe in the land of their ancestors.”

He expressed regret over government agencies’ initial attitude during rebuilding efforts and how it had hurt Aborigines’ feelings. He said he was relieved the rest of the project in Changjhih would be overseen by PCT as Aborigines had originally preferred.

In related news, PCT, Catholic, Seventh-Day Adventist, and Methodist church leaders and Aborigine leaders gathered to discuss post-Morakot rebuilding efforts. They expressed concern over whether the new community would be able to successfully retain the name “Changjhih Lily Reservation“.

Though this name was chosen by Aborigines, the community had been christened as “Tzu-Chi Da-Ai Community” when President Ma attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony. Discussion with Tzu-Chi officials and achieving mutual understanding will be critical in the re-naming process. Church leaders urged all churches to pray over this matter.