Education Taiwan Project #49578

YOUTH IGNITE | Empowering Taiwan's Next Generation

by The Mustard Seed Mission

Project Report | May 18, 2021
The Coffee Dreamer Practicing Courageously

By Ting Ting Yu | Project Leader

When Kai first joined in the class, he was very quiet and didn't talk much. He just showed hospitality with a smile, listening to the social worker and lecturer teaching courses silently aside. Under the continuous guidance and encouragement of social workers and lecturers, and activities and relaxed dialogues have narrowed the distance with Kai, he gradually opened his heart and shared that he had been learning pour-over coffee.

Social worker: "Why do you want to join the training class of coffee brewing stall?"
Kai: "Because I really want to have my own small stall, but I don't know how to start."

Kai was not good at expressing his inner thoughts, but now he can talk naturally. He has taken a big step forward his dream of having a coffee stall. Finally, before the end of the training class, Kai will go to the first stop to fulfill his dream: set up a coffee cart stall at the gate of Chengching Lake, with expression of tension, excitement and expectation on his face.

The first time riding on his own mobile coffee cart and move forward to the dream.

"Kai, it's okay! Don't be afraid of being rejected" "Bravely invite passing people to the stall and enjoy the process of introducing pour-over coffee!" The social workers continued to encourage and accompany Kai. After interacting with the customers once, twice, and three times, Kai gradually overcame his fears and began to open his heart, and shared with us: "It seems that being rejected is not so scary. Every rejection is to prepare for the next opportunity!"

Breaking through himself and interact with the people, and inviting people to taste the coffee brewed by himself.

In the class of pour-over coffee stall, Kai not only learns the practical operation of coffee beans knowledge, brewing skills, the trick of water temperature control, and the conditions to note when setting up the stall, but also allows himself to be transformed from the original introvert and bad words, become a "dream practitioner" who has the courage to face fears, overcome difficulties, and work hard to solve them.

On the path of dreams, be determined and keep moving forward!

Now Kai can naturally invite people who passing by to taste the coffee brewed by himself, and actively communicate with customers as friends to share brewing knowledge and entrepreneurial history, and establish friendly relationships. He makes his future life like a cup of coffee brewed by himself, through step-by-step breakthrough and high-temperature quenching, the most mellow and beautiful life charm can be realized.

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Jan 20, 2021
Dining Together Surrounded by Many Warm Hugs

By Ms. Lee | Project Leader

Unlike most of her peers, Chelsea is from skipped-generation family and raised by grandfather given her parents have been imprisoned on frequent basis. Chelsea, lack of idea about what a two-parent family should be like, has long been under absence of proper childcare.

Grandfather is getting old, suffering from stroke, and becomes disabled. He is obliged to not only undertake financial responsibility for the family, but also take care of Chelsea as well as Chelsea's cousins. Only when his health condition permits, grandfather will engage some degree of agricultural works, to earn the keep by farming and selling the bamboo shoots. Nevertheless, this produces trivial income. Under such financial distress situation, Chelsea and the cousins do not have excess cash to buy themselves new clothes; they can only rely on neighbors and the Mustard Seed Mission community service center for second hand clothes donation.

At the year end, the MSM community service center invited Chelsea and her family for reunion dinner party. To enjoy good amount of food has been such a luxury while unattainable for Chelsea, as there are just so many kids to be fed at home. Most of the time, Chelsea is craving for food as she is in the stage of growth. Hence, as soon as Chelsea learns there will be yearend dinner gathering supplied with hot pot and steak, she really looks forward to it. Social workers understand there is almost no chance for Chelsea to dine out. They expect this gathering is a great opportunity for Chelsea to learn table manners. Furthermore, such social event allows people living in the same community to get to know each other. Eating and chatting over the meal keep everyone warm and will strengthen the relationship from one family to another.

Every year, the Mustard Seed Mission hosts year end reunion dinner party in community service centers, helping those from single parent and skipped generation families, as well as disadvantaged children get together. Throughout the dinner, let them not feel alone but heartwarming and at ease.

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