New Taiwan volunteers arrive in SVG

Before Shao-yi Wang dreamed of coming to St. Vincent and the Grenadines she had heard about the place – through blockbuster Disney movie Pirates of the Caribbean.{{more}}

The Johnny Depp fan had done her research, and when it was time to volunteer her services, she, along with Yu-hui Chang, Chih-yu Chiang and Chai-wei Lai, selected this country as the place where they would spend the next two years, imparting their knowledge and culture.

The new volunteers who arrived here last Wednesday will replace three others: Yi-fang Chou, Yi-chun Lu and Chen-hua Fan, who are scheduled to return to their homeland next month.

The youngsters, all in their mid 20s, indicated that of all the countries that have diplomatic ties with their homeland that they could have chosen, they chose St. Vincent and the Grenadines mainly because it was in the Caribbean, and from what they had heard about it from visitors.

Speaking to Searchlight at Saturday’s Mid-Autumn festival gathering, the lone male Henry Chai-Wei Lai said that it would be a great experience for them, where they would be able to impart their knowledge and gain some in the meantime.

“We look forward to sharing our knowledge and experience with the people of St. Vincent and the Grenadines and exchange our cultures.”

“There are lots of things that we can share that will help in the development of this country.”

Lai will be assigned to the Ministry of Tourism, while Wang and the Changs are assigned to the Ministry of Health.

The students say that they will be sitting down with the outgoing volunteers, where they will gather as much information as possible from their predecessors.

Though sad to leave, volunteers Yi-Chin Lu and Chen-Hua Fan say that they look forward to returning to their homeland, where they can share what they have learnt here in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

According to Fan, “Here is a very different culture that Taiwan, here is very relaxing, not as much hurry, so I can relax more.”

The different lifestyle was intriguing for the youngsters, who were able to learn a lot from their Vincentian co-workers as well as teach.

Fan, who was assigned to the Ministry of Agriculture’s Fisheries Division and Lu with the Ministry of Tourism, say that it may take some time to readjust to the fast paced world of Asia, after being in the laid back Caribbean Island for some time. (JJ)