“One day when I am old, I will need someone to take care of me. While I do not need to be taken care of yet, I want to do my part now.”
Lin Mei-lan, Chairperson of Baixue Community Development Association, Tainan City
My name is Lin, Mei-Lan, and I am the chairperson of the Baixue Community Development Association. Most people simply call me “Sister Mei-Lan,” and I am happy with that name. I grew up in southern Taiwan and graduated from a high school in Kaohsiung. After graduation, I was considered to a university in northern Taiwan. However, my family was worried about the work environment in the north and about the safety of a young woman living alone in a big and modern city. Because of these concerns, I eventually decided not to go.
With my high school diploma, I began working at a Japanese factory in the Qianzhen Industrial Zone. My job involved quality control, and through this work, I gradually came to understand how industry operated. After leaving the factory, I stayed at home for a period. My friends repeatedly encouraged me that I should find something meaningful to do. Through their support and encouragement, I eventually became one of the first female insurance collectors in Taiwan. At that time, money collection was a role traditionally handled only by men. Later, due to changes in the system, I resigned together with my supervisors.
After that, I began working as a secretary at a labor union. There, I learned how to prepare project plans and apply for funding. Looking back now, it gave me both the confidence and the practical skills I would later rely on when writing proposals for community development work.
Wanting to Do Something for My Peers, and to Age Together with Peace and Joy
I worked in Kaohsiung for many years. After my mother passed away, and as my family members gradually started their own families, my younger brother persuaded me to move to Yancheng District. I was not originally from this area, and at first, I had no connection at all to the community development association.
My relationship with the community began when I opened a breakfast shop next to the activity center in Baixue Village. Every morning, I saw many elderly residents coming to buy breakfast. Quite a few of them ordered two portions each time. At first, I assumed they were buying food for family members at home. Later, I realized that many of them actually lived alone. One portion was for breakfast, and the other was saved for lunch.
That realization made me stop and think. One day, I will grow old too, and I will also need care. Before I reach that stage, I want to do something for others while I still can. This simple thought gradually shaped my sense of responsibility. It also became my personal motivation for taking on the role of chairperson of the association.
Deeply Rooted in the Community, Not Simply Returning Home
After being elected as chairperson, the first thing I did was listen. I listened carefully to the voices of the elderly and tried to understand what they truly needed. At that time, the association had very limited funding, so I began seeking support from government agencies, including the Department of Health and the Department of Social Affairs.
I was not familiar with computers or digital devices back then, so all my early proposals were written by hand. I clearly remember writing more than twenty pages for a single proposal. I did not do this for recognition or praise. I did it because I wanted elderly residents in this community to be properly cared for. Later, with the help of volunteers and professional mentors, we began using computers. Otherwise, my hands truly would not have been able to handle the workload anymore.
Because I was not born and raised here, even as chairperson, I did not fully know every corner of the community or all of its older stories. One opportunity changed that. While applying for a project funded by the Environmental Protection Bureau, I was given the chance to explore the community more deeply. Local cultural historians guided me and the volunteers on walking tours, and together we recorded the beauty and history of the area.
I hope that local volunteers will eventually lead these tours themselves. Many of them feel hesitant about guiding others, but I often encourage them by saying that they are the ones who truly understand this place. When stories are shared by people who live here, they resonate more deeply with others.
Community Cohesion as the Motivation for Selfless Volunteering
Many volunteers contribute selflessly to the association and devote a great deal of their time and energy. Sometimes they ask me how I manage daily expenses without receiving a salary. I usually smile and tell them that it is enough. The senior pension may not be large, but it is sufficient. In addition, the neighborhood chief provides some financial support. He understands the burden of this role because he once served as chairperson himself, and we continue to work together for the good of the community.
Our volunteers include people who were born and raised in Yancheng, as well as those who moved here later in life. I believe the key reason they remain involved is their sense of community cohesion. Local residents naturally feel a strong attachment to this place, while those who moved here gradually develop a sense of belonging over time. Eventually, they no longer see themselves as outsiders and are willing to contribute to the community and care for its elderly residents.
Some volunteers join to make friends, while others hope to give meaning to their retirement. For me, mutual understanding and support are essential. They help maintain a positive mindset and keep everyone moving forward together. I often tell the volunteers that if we do not support our own community, it will be difficult to inspire or help others. After hearing this, many of them come to see volunteering not just as a social activity, but as a responsibility they carry.
Life is Like Salt: Be Exquisite Through Repeated Grinding
After many years of working in community development, I would not say that I feel a great sense of achievement. What matters more to me is that our efforts have been seen and accepted. Before every event, we distribute flyers, and some residents tell me that they cannot attend because of work. At the same time, they say that these kinds of activities did not exist in the past, and that they hope to participate after they retire. Hearing this makes me feel that our work has meaning.
There are times when I feel exhausted. On countless nights, I asked myselfwhy I was putting myself through this, and whether I should simply stop. But then I think of the elderly who need care, and I notice the gradual changes in them. They feel more connected to the community, and they trust me more. After sleeping on it, I always find myself returning to this work.
What I want to do is actually very simple. I want to use my limited strength to help elderly residents live healthier and better lives. That is why the community development association matters to me. This is how I understand my role at this stage of life. For now, my short-term goal is to obtain the Healthy Community Certification. I know I still have to work hard, and I will continue moving forward.
以台灣第一鹽 帶動「在地凝聚創造共榮」
台南市白雪社區發展協會 林美蘭理事長
我是白雪社區發展協會理事長林美蘭，叫我美蘭姐就好！在台灣南部高雄高中畢業後，本來有考到北部的大學，但因為家庭對於北部工作生態與儀個女生到北部安全有所疑慮，所以沒有前往北部讀書。不過因為高中學歷，可以在高雄前鎮工業區 的日本工廠進行品管，對於產業有些概念，也讓我在做事情有些基礎。
在結束品管工作後，本來一度待在家中，但朋友們覺得與其在家待著不如找點事情做，經過一番思考後且在好友們 不斷推薦及鼓勵下，蠻有機緣的成為了在台灣第一批的女性收保（保險） 員，因為之前只有男性能保管錢；不過後來因制度關係，我就與當時的主管們一同離職。離職後因種種緣故，輾轉到了職業工會進行秘書工作，因此對於計劃、經費等 申請有著初步的熟悉及了解，這也為我後續在社區發展協會寫計劃時 有著基本的概念跟執行想法。
想為同齡夥伴做些事，一起安心快樂變老
原先是都在高雄工作，但因為母親的過世，加上家人們各自成家後，在我親弟弟的說服下來到了鹽埕區定居。其實我算是外地 人，與發展協會理事長可以說是毫無相干，但我與發展協會的連結是 因為剛來到白雪里時在活動中心旁開早餐店，在早餐店看到許多的長 輩，在買早餐時都買兩份，我一開始只覺得是為了買回家給家人吃， 後來想想他們都自己住，為什麼要買兩份？詢問下才知道，一份是要 留到中午當成中餐來吃，這讓我重新的思考：「有一天當我老了我也 需要有人來照顧我，而在我還不需要被照顧時我想盡一份心力。」這樣的想法連結起了屬於我對理事長這職務的使命。
來到台南市在地深耕而非落葉歸根
當時選上後第一件事情就是開始聆聽長輩們的心聲，以及了解長輩們的需 求。但因為發展協會經費有限，所以開始尋找政府單位的協助，如： 衛生局、社會局等政府單位。不過我哪有接觸過這些電腦、3C產品，所以最初的計劃申請都是我用手寫的方式，印象深刻有一次的計劃，光計劃書我就寫了20幾頁，不為了什麼，只為了協助長輩能夠在這個 社區被照顧，但後來好在有志工、業師們的協助現在我們都用電 腦打了，不然真的很傷手！
我其實也不是真的在這土生土長的人，所以雖然我是發展協會理事長，但許多社區的角落或更早以前的故事，其實沒有那麼了解跟清楚。有一次在申請環保局計劃時讓我有了更深入的探討了社區每一個 角落的機會，當時安排了幾位在地文史老師帶領著我和志工們走讀，將社區的美記錄下來。
我其實也很希望鼓勵當地志工來帶領進行走讀，但許多志工對於要進行導覽有些抗拒。可是我很常鼓勵他們說：「妳們才是最了解這個地方的人！」所以希望他們接下這導覽的工作，夠由他們來分享這的故事更能夠感染其他人。
保持社區凝聚力是志工無條件付出的動力
有多位志工也是無私的付出，一心都奉獻在社區發展協會中。有時候志工們也會問我：這樣沒薪水生活開銷怎麼辦？我都回答說：「 還夠用啦～」有老人年金雖然不多但夠用啦～另外里長也會給予一些經濟上的協助，因為里長也是前社區發展協會理事長，所以可以理解這個職位的辛苦，共同為這個社區努力！
目前白雪社區發展協會中的志工除了有土生土長的鹽埕人，也有些後來搬來這個地方的他鄉人。我認為志工會願意投入得原因是：「對社區的凝聚力」。在地人對於這個社區的凝聚力當然強，而外地來的人因為長期住在這了，所以對於社區的認同感越發強 烈，這也使他們不再覺得自己是外來人，並且也願意為這個社區的發展及長輩來努力。當然還有許多是因為來到這當志工能 夠認識到朋友，也因為來到社區發展協會當志工讓退休的生活不無趣。
對我來說互相和理解協助，才能保持正向的念，持續對自己喜歡的社區事貢獻，並與身邊的志工共勉。常常與他們鼓勵說：「如果連我們在地都不挺在地，那要怎麼影響、感染需要我們幫助的人？」志工們在聽完這番話後更加了解自己的使命不單單只是前來交朋友而已，而是也有使命在身上，就更願意利用空閒時間為發展協會 的大小事盡力。
生命歷程就像鹽一樣，越磨越精緻
多年推動白雪社區的社區營造不敢說成就跟驕傲啦～但就是感受到我們的努力是有被接納和看見。比方說在每次活動的舉辦前都會發傳單，有許多的住民都會跟我說：「我當天要上班無法一起參與，但社區有這些以前沒有的活動，我退休後一定要參加！」
有時候也會心累～很常覺得何必這樣折磨自己，睡前也都會思考還是別做了，但又會考慮到這些長輩們是需要被關心的，加上慢慢看 到了長輩們的改變，他們更認同這個社區，也更認同我，所以睡一覺起來還是繼續將自己投在當中。
我要做的只是以我微薄的綿力來為社區的長輩再多些更好更健康的生活，所以要有發展協會才能成就我們的價值，現階段的我是這麼想的。所以短期目標還是希望能夠拿到「健康社區認證」，我還要繼續努力，加油。
Writer: Du Chang Huan
National Cheng Kung University.
Department of Chinese Literature
