Creating pleasant experiences
In October last year, the 1095 team expanded their activities into First Square with a mobile bookstall set up at the front of the venue. Guan carries in suitcases full of books almost every weekend. The goal is to create a face-to-face networking platform in an area where many of the Southeast-Asian community regularly gather.
Although not many borrow or read the books, the team members are able to make face-to-face contact with Southeast Asians who visit the bookstall, so they can share stories and experiences, and develop friendships. First Square is a “crouching tiger, hidden dragon” sort of place where you are likely to meet all sorts of people, all of whom have their own interesting stories. Justto Lasoo, for example, is from Indonesia and spends two hours every day after work writing. He has even published a book at his own expense. Dodo is another Indonesian, and is studying at the Taichung branch of the Indonesian open university in his spare time. He loves to discuss international affairs with friends, and likes to share his feelings about Taichung with the local Taiwanese people. Another interesting character, a mother from Vietnam who is married to a Taiwanese man, sometimes cooks up a pot of rice porridge and brings it along to share with the homeless people who tend to gather there.
Jiang tries to help people understand Southeast-Asian culture through the food, as he realizes that it’s difficult to change people’s stereotypes just through rational persuasion. Through visiting many Southeast-Asian shops and restaurants, he has made a number of contacts and has even earned the nickname of “Chubby.” People in and around First Square and Qingcao Street know that Jiang (who has also been nicknamed the Indo JJ Lin) is an expert on the different cultures that inhabit the area.
Through their different perspectives, Guan and Jiang are trying to build bridges between locals and Southeast-Asian residents, and to create enriching life experiences for both. Through their volunteer work, which brings them into close contact with the various communities and individuals, they have found that many Taiwanese are curious and interested in learning more about their Southeast-Asian neighbors.
In the past, the organization’s mobile bookstall opened some weekends at First Square. Beginning this year, it has a permanent location. (courtesy of 1095)