Office of Student Affairs, JUST ##..~~~.~..~~.~~.~.~

<JUST Enjoys a Joyful and Uplifting Meal with Seniors in Guishan Community>

On April 1st, a volunteer culinary team comprised of members from the Chinese Culinary Arts and Fruit Carving Club and the Indigenous Daruan Community visited the Guishan Community Development Association's care center in Xindian District for a heartwarming and joyful "Intergenerational Learning Meal Activity." The event not only fulfilled the university's goal of caring for and respecting the elderly, but also received generous sponsorship from the Ministry of Education's Higher Education Deep Cultivation Project, the Yu-Hsiu Education Foundation, and the Tan Sheng-Tao Charity Foundation. This initiative effectively linked the students' academic studies with local community care, allowing them to spend a pleasant lunch time with the community's seniors.

At the start of the activity, the Daruan community used colorful pipe cleaners to stimulate imagination, leading the seniors to "create" with vitality. Everyone happily rolled up their sleeves and freely created collages on paper using the colorful pipe cleaners, filling the room with laughter. Seeing the joyful and enthusiastic atmosphere, Daruan community member Li Zhuyun smiled and said that today's pipe cleaner collage activity was arranged because the materials are economical and easy to use, making it ideal for community promotion. Furthermore, through the selection and collage of colors with pipe cleaners, in addition to effectively training hand-eye coordination, it can also improve brain function, potentially slowing down the onset of cognitive decline or memory loss.

While the participants were painting, another group of people were busy in the kitchen. Led by Professor Kao Shih-ta, an advisor from the Department of Food and Beverage Management, students from the Chinese Culinary Arts Fruit Carving Club, dressed in formal chef's uniforms, transformed their schoolwork into a heartwarming feast with skillful knife work and elegant movements. They meticulously prepared dishes such as steamed eggs, seasonal vegetables, sweet and sour fries, salted egg chicken strips, and pumpkin fish ball soup, accompanied by nutritious bananas. Beyond the culinary enjoyment, the students also showcased their communication skills as culinary experts, explaining each dish as it was served. Watching the young students in their professional chef's uniforms speak so eloquently and politely, the elderly present not only enjoyed their meal but also praised the students' dedication. Grandma Li, who participated in the event, smiled and said, "Seeing the students dressed so neatly and cooking so professionally for us makes me feel really encouraged and happy." Meanwhile, Grandma Kao Hsiu-feng from the association, upholding the concept of intergenerational learning, also demonstrated a wok-fried noodle dish full of flavor and ingredients.

Impressed by the teachers' and students' superb culinary skills and enthusiastic leadership, Chang Kai-hsun, Chairman of the Guishan Community Development Association, presented a certificate of appreciation and expressed his deep gratitude. He stated that since January of last year, the association has been holding a monthly "Senior Citizens' Meal" activity to encourage seniors to participate more in community life and enhance neighborhood interaction. Today marks the third time that teachers and students from Jingwen University of Science and Technology have come to the community for a meal. Their thoughtful planning and joyful service added a lot of warmth to the meal. The students' respect for the elderly and appreciation for blessings are a blessing to the local community. He also expressed his gratitude to the teachers and students with Guishan popsicles, saying he was truly grateful for the teachers' guidance.

URL: https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=1423440986464647&set=pcb.1423441896464556