The recent Taiwan-produced hit movie Night Market Hero (雞排英雄) vividly portrays the everyday lives and resilience of the nation’s night market vendors. The fictional comedy imparts a positive, life--affirming message that has moved many audiences.
In the real world, however, a group of night market vendors in Yunlin County have long quietly practiced their own philanthropy — helping with the burials of the impoverished in their hometown.
They are all self-effacing people who shy away from the media spotlight.
“Having a kind heart and goodwill is more important, and we are ordinary people. We would rather keep a low profile and do not need fame or acclaim,” said a cofounder of the Night Market Benevolent Love Charity who goes by the nickname “Specky.”
Specky, who operates pinball games in a Yunlin night market, recalled that he joined with another night market vendor, surnamed Chen (陳), in making small donations for people in emergency need a few years ago after reading a heart-wrenching story in a newspaper.
As their incomes were limited, however, they gradually felt the pinch of their donations and decided to invite other street vendors to pitch in toward charitable causes.
Five like-minded vendors immediately joined them to become conveners of the new charitable group. About 50 other vendors also joined the organization as regular members.
“There are many people living in hardship. As we are street vendors with only limited resources, we can only help those in emergency need or impoverished families that cannot afford to bury their deceased relatives,” Specky said.
Whenever any of the conveners learned that a family cannot pay for a loved one’s funeral fees, each member donates NT$500 to help cover the charges for a coffin and cremation.
As news of the group has spread, the group’s membership has continued to rise since its formal inception last September.
“The number has exceeded 200, ranging in age from 20-something to 60 and over,” said Chen, who added that this meant each member only needed to donate NT$150 for each case.
“We tend to raise NT$30,000 to NT$40,000 per case and if we fail to collect enough, we have a 13-member team that stumps up the difference,” Chen added.
To build credibility, the donations are usually delivered to the recipients through police offices, with village or neighborhood chiefs serving as witnesses.
Asked whether they were inspired by Night Market Hero, which features scenes depicting a fried chicken vendor entertaining poor people with a good feast, Chen said most of the group’s members have not seen the movie.
“We are just doing what we feel we should do. We do not ask each of our members to make donations every time. Those whose incomes are not stable can suspend donations until they can afford to make them,” Chen said.
The group has so far helped with the funeral arrangements for 26 people, including a 14-year-old and several in their 70s, who have been laid to rest or have had their ashes interred at ossuaries.
Moved by their philanthropic low-profile efforts to help the impoverished, funeral service operators often charge them the lowest possible prices, Chen said.
Although many people have expressed interest in joining the group, Chen said, it has no intention of expanding its services at the moment and will continue to focus on those in need in Yunlin County.
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