The latest Forbes Asia Heroes of Philanthropy list shows that Taiwan’s eastern region has more to offer than mountain and ocean landscapes.
After electing Taitung vegetable vendor philanthropist Chen Shu-chu (陳樹菊) as one of its 48 Heroes of Philanthropy last year, Forbes Asia named 82-year-old veteran Hung Chung-hai (洪中海), who lives in a home for the elderly in Hualien, as one of its heroes this year.
Hung took part in several major battles in the Chinese Civil War in the first half of the 20th century, fighting for Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) forces against Chinese Communist Party troops. Hung left his home and family in Anhui Province to flee with the remnants of the KMT army to Taiwan after its defeat in 1949.
Photo: CNA
In Taiwan, Hung has been living alone in Hualien’s Jian Township (吉安) on a monthly pension of NT$27,000 since retiring from the army 28 years ago.
Last year, he donated NT$6 million (US$208,000) to the Hualien services office of the Veterans Affairs Commission, stipulating that the funds be used to help veterans’ families living in poverty. The money was his entire life savings.
Veterans Hospital healthcare personnel, who make home visits to Hung, say the elderly veteran lives an austere life.
Hung can subsist for a week on one cabbage, some canned fish and steamed buns, and spends less than NT$1,000 per month on living expenses.
Hung was admitted to a healthcare center run by the hospital in April after hurting himself in a fall. He has been staying there ever since.
Hung said he hopes he lives longer so he can donate more.
“My life is very simple,” he said. “Giving away my savings is not something big. I am old; using the money for someone else is better than spending it on myself.”
Like Hung, Chen was also praised for helping those in need with money she had saved from her modest daily income. Chen was elected by Time magazine last year as one of its 100 most influential people.
Taitung County Commissioner Justin Huang (黃健庭) said that because of the two philanthropists, Hualien and Taitung were Taiwan’s garden for “hearts with love.”
Chung Mei-chu (鍾美珠), who is in charge of social service affairs at Taitung Hospital, said many people in remote areas of Taitung are economically disadvantaged. Chen was poor as a child, so she grew up to be more empathic, Chung said, adding that in Taitung, there are many philanthropists like Chen and Hung who have not drawn media attention.
Minister of the Research, Development and Evaluation Commission Chu Ching-peng (朱景鵬), who was a long-term resident of eastern Taiwan, said most people in Hualien and Taitung live simple lives and show kindness to strangers.
Hung is one of four Taiwanese listed in the Forbes Asia’s 48 Heroes of Philanthropy for this year. The others are Silicon Valley land developer Brent Lee (李偉德), Asustek Computer chairman Jonney Shih (施崇棠) and Ruentex Group chairman Samuel Yin (尹衍樑).
According to Forbes Asia, the annual selection, which it said is aimed at calling attention to a mix of notable people and causes throughout the region, not only targets tycoons, but also draws attention to the lesser-known people who are extremely generous with limited funds.
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