On a bright summer solstice, 50 executives and volunteers from Alpha participated in a rush harvesting event hosted by Qisda Group's BenQ Foundation at the "Cihu Temple" in Yuanli, Miaoli. Braving the heat, the volunteers immersed themselves in traditional craftsmanship and gained insights into the local culture of rush weaving and its revitalization through meaningful interactions with the local elders and youths who have returned to their hometown.
Led by Tseng-Chen Huang, Chairman of the Taiwan Yuan Li Handiwork Association, the group carefully stepped into the rush field where Executive Director Chu-Wang Chiang welcomed them. After a short briefing of the harvesting process—including sorting and bundling the rush—the hands-on farming experience was officially underway. Donning straw hats and gloves, the volunteers formed small groups and took turns harvesting. The seemingly simple task quickly proved more demanding than expected as the relentless sun, combined with constant bending and physical labor, soon had everyone soaked in sweat. The volunteers, yet, remained undeterred as they persevered amidst the heat, their laughter and camaraderie injecting a vibrant energy and hope into the tranquil rural landscape.
A morning of hard work yielded numerous bundles of green rush. However, time was of the essence as the rush had to be transported for sun-drying. Volunteers carefully loaded the bundles onto an old tractor and returned to Cihu Temple. At the temple, Chairman Huang demonstrated the sun-drying technique by grabbing a handful of rushes and spreaded them evenly on the ground. What seemed like a straightforward task was anything but as the rush was tightly entangled. Executive Director Chiang, with a reassuring smile, explained that "practice makes perfect." After trial and error, the volunteers finally managed to spread the rush evenly across the ground, and a mild grassy scent permeated the air. Despite the sweat streaming down their faces, the volunteers thoroughly enjoyed themselves. Their hands, stained with sap and soil, symbolized their intimate bond with the land.
The charitable event is aimed at enhancing small farmers' harvesting and sales skills, foster the growth of unique local industries in remote townships, and ensure environmental sustainability. The program is expected to benefit over 16 local farmers while generating more than NTD 200,000 in revenue.