TAKE MY HAND

As the world enters an aging society, life after retirement has become a major concern. This program, led by Sayun Bilang, producer of a Taiwanese Golden Bell Award-winning cultural documentary show, brings five young adults aged between 20 and 30 to various Cultural Centers in indigenous communities. By experiencing and interacting with the seniors, the program demonstrates how elders can age vibrantly and creatively in their local communities.

Miku, born and raised in Taipei, became a helper at Kahkahoe’an village’s Cultural Center during her first visit to the indigenous Saisiyat tribal village in northern Taiwan. Accompanying the elders of the tribe to search for herbs and edible plants along the village roads, she tasted the ferns hunters use to hydrate themselves in the mountains. She learned how to brew millet wine, and discovered that the key to good wine is to place one’s hand on the shoulder of an elder. Despite her foot injury, elder Ying Mei persisted in going to the vegetable garden and taking the bus to sell vegetables in town on weekends. Miku played the role of a granddaughter for a day, helping Ying Mei to sell and accompanying her in her favorite activities. She realized that Ying Mei, who lives alone, and the elders at the Cultural Center don’t require care but lack companionship.