PCT takes over rebuilding project in Changjhih from Tzu-Chi

["Taiwan Church News" <enews@pctpress.org>]

      Taiwan Church News

      3050 Edition

      August 9~15, 2010

       

       

      PCT takes over rebuilding project in Changjhih from Tzu-Chi 

       

      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. 

       



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