Qiu Ya Foundation Donates 800,000 Vouchers to Hualien Schoolchildren on Flood Anniversary

Last September, continuous rainfall and an earthquake triggered a landslide dam in the upstream area of Matai An Creek in Guangfu Township, Hualien County. The resulting dam‑created lake overflowed, sending a torrent of water and sediment rushing into downstream villages and farmland. The flood devastated residents’ homes and livelihoods, caused severe damage to infrastructure, and placed unprecedented economic pressure on many families. The disaster disrupted daily routines, long‑term schooling conditions, and the supply of essential goods, leaving families struggling to rebuild and children’s nutrition and educational resources severely affected, a situation that has resonated throughout society.

In the immediate aftermath, the Qiu Ya Foundation—founded by Taiwanese baseball star Chou Szu‑chi—demonstrated swift social concern and action by joining rescue and relief efforts. The foundation, which has long cultivated grassroots baseball education and reading promotion for children in remote areas, maintains a deep connection with the youth of Hualien. When the flood struck, the organization closely monitored the evolving situation, mobilized resources at once, and delivered concrete supplies and assistance, supporting affected schools and families through the most difficult moments. This response highlighted the powerful role of the sports community in giving back, offering warmth to remote children facing a merciless natural disaster.

One year after the Matai An Creek flood, while time has eased some of the pain, reconstruction and long‑term recovery remain a lengthy process. To continue providing tangible support to local students, the Qiu Ya Foundation marked the anniversary with another round of aid, reaffirming its commitment to stay by the community’s side. The foundation raised and distributed supermarket gift vouchers valued at more than NT$800,000. These vouchers were handed directly to the disaster‑affected students, allowing them to purchase the nutrition and daily necessities they need, thereby easing the financial burden on families and ensuring that children’s growth and development are not compromised by economic hardship.

The large‑scale assistance goes beyond mere monetary and material aid; it carries profound educational significance and social value. Remote regions already suffer from limited resources, and a natural disaster compounds those challenges. By delivering precisely targeted supermarket vouchers, the Qiu Ya Foundation grants affected families the dignity and flexibility to procure what they need. The NT$800,000‑plus contribution secures stable support for countless students in their schooling and everyday lives, enabling them to return to class without worry, focus on their studies and athletic training, and bolster their psychological well‑being and community recovery.

This year‑long aid effort, which continues to draw public attention, underscores the resilience and adaptability of Taiwan’s civil‑society organizations when confronting major natural disasters. From its emergency intervention last year to its sustained care on the anniversary, the Qiu Ya Foundation has set a strong example of long‑term partnership and deep local engagement. Through the combined response of sports figures and compassionate citizens, this goodwill has taken root in Guangfu Township, materially improving the living conditions of disaster‑affected students and planting seeds of hope, reminding them that societal warmth remains their most reliable support in adversity.

(Source: Central News Agency)