Cross-cultural sharing in Yishou Elderly Service Center 

by Bertille Jarry (賈貝蒂)

On the April, the 30th, the Rehabilitation Center of Yishou held cross-cultural activity lead by the international volunteers of Eden Social Welfare Foundation. During this afternoon, the residents were introduced to the different cultural specificities coming from all around the world: Macau, Shanxi, Shanghai, Hunan, United States and France.

In fact, Eden’s volunteers have introduced their hometowns or home countries to the residents of the elderly center, talking about similarities and differences, presenting all aspects of their homeland like culinary delicacy, monuments or touristic places, the ways of life and habits, and the transportation system. The interaction between the residents and the volunteers was joyful as the care-users were very responsive during the presentation, answering and asking questions. It was also very moving when Wu Zhen Hua, one of the volunteer from the mainland introduced his hometown in Shanxi province, which is also one of the resident’s home town, he started to shed tears becuase he was touched to meet someone from his own hometown, and that he felt a bit nostalgic, thinking about his young days.

At the end of the afternoon, the residents had to vote for their favorite hometown / home country, select the region they would hypothetically like to travel to. Eventually, Macau came out victorious though all of the care-users insisted on the fact that they enjoyed all the presentations. And that was definitely the most important part of the day. To go through the disabilities and freely enjoy the moment.