Title: Agencies Facilitate the Assimilation of Taiwan's Immigrant Brides Taiwan Church News 2832 5-11 June 2006 Reported by Chiou Kuo-rong. Written by David Alexander
To encourage new immigrant brides to courageously go beyond the confines of their family homes, enter into their communities, and get acquainted with their sisters in the area, Keng-bi Presbyterian Church in Taipei and the Eden Social Welfare Foundation sponsored a "New Brides and Families Celebration of Dragon Boat Day" on May 29th. It brought together women from Vietnam, Indonesia, China, the Philippines and Korea for a cultural event.
A cacophony of varied languages and accents filled the church hall even though rainy weather was expected to keep many women comfortably at home. Tables were set up with the ingredients and tools needed for preparing the glutinous rice dumplings which are the holiday treat. Local women demonstrated techniques and everyone took part in the sharing, preparing and feasting that followed.
One Vietnamese participant, Chiou-chun, who came to Taiwan five years ago after marrying a local man, was pleased to attain the new skill to wrap and cook the treats. She said that though homeland has a similar dish is prepared for the New Year holidays, it's wrapped differently. Taiwan's more "rounded" glutinous rice dumpling was troublesome for her. This training, she said, has helped her to become more "local" in her adaptation.
For more information: Keng-bi Presbyterian Church kbc.pct@msa.hinet.net.
Eden Social Welfare Foundation encorep@eden.org.tw
Taiwan Church News is published weekly in Taiwan's local languages. Visit our web site: www.pctpress.com.tw