Across from the Taichung County Council Building there stands what appears to be a European castle, with creamy yellow turreted walls and white framed windows with rounded tops. Few people can pass by this incongruous structure without feeling compelled to go in and look around. After passing through the unlocked door, the visitor is surrounded by children playing on the lawn or swings. Can this really be a medieval castle?
"Little girl, what is this place?"
"This is my home."
"And these other children, are they your friends?"
"No, they are my brothers and sisters. We all live here like a family."
Eventually an adult will come by to explain to the visitor that he is in the Lan Sheng Children's Village for homeless and orphaned children.
But, he may ask, who built this castle for the 21 little princes and 16 little princesses who now live there? The village's executive secretary, Tsai Ching-po, tells the full story.
When Lin Lan-sheng, a son of the prominent Lin family, died at the age of 12 in 1934, his mother was so overcome with grief that she became a nun. She also donated the 20 hectares that were in Lin Lan-sheng's name to create a Lan Sheng Charity Society to help poor and destitute children. Lan-sheng's uncle, Lin Hsien-tang, was asked to act as the organization's chairman.
In 1956, Lin Hsien-tang died and Lan-sheng's older brother, Lin Ho-nien, took his place, renaming the organization the Lan Sheng Relief Society. The 1973 provincial governor, Hsieh Tung-min, who is now Vice-president of the Republic of China, felt that the many orphans in Taiwan needed a warm and secure refuge. He persuaded Lin Ho-nien to make Lan Sheng a residential relief organization, and the name was once again changed, this time to the Lan Sheng School.
Lan Sheng dedicated itself to the development of the mind and bodies of its small charges. But as the school's reputation spread, the twenty beds soon became insufficient. Another story was added so the school could accommodate 35 needy children.
Lin Ho-nien then decided that an entirely new school was necessary. During consultations with designer Yang Ming-hsiung, the two men recalled how as children they had imagined themselves as little princes living in story book castles. Suddenly, Lin said, "What could be better then to build such a castle to give these children a happy and secure environment."
The school has two- and three-story dormitories which can hold up to 100 children. Currently children only live on the second floor, six to a room, with each room being more than 40 square meters in area.
The first thing one sees on entering the dormitory is a compartment for the children's shoes. Beds have been carefully arranged so that both the lower and upper bunks are well lit. A closet runs along one wall, while below the windows are small desks and chairs. Children choose their own decorations. Ma Ching-jung and Liu An-cheng both love handicrafts, so the walls of their room are covered with paper cuttings and pictures.
On the first floor is the kitchen, dining hall, and library. Everything is on a small scale, including tables and small chairs. Everyone eats together, and adults have to sit in the same small chairs as the children. It took a bit of getting used to, but Lin Ho-nien, aged 66, laughs as he recalls the experience. He pointed out that sitting down together reduces the distances between children and adults so that communication is much easier.
Chang Mei-ho, who has been teaching at the school for four years, says it is a 24-hour-a-day job. People must have interest, patience, and their family's support to take it on, she said.
Wu Hsiung-jung, a graduate of the sociology department of the National Taiwan University, feels the work is interesting. Counselors are with the children all day long to give them complete and continuous guidance.
Some visitors acclaim the Lan Sheng Children's Village as the best elementary school in Southeast Asia. Principal Lin Ho-nien modestly explains that it is the achievement of donations from all sectors of society amount to more than NT$1 million every year, and other necessities and equipment are contributed as well. The children's warmth encourages everyone to work hard to reach their goals.
At present Lan Sheng has a capital base of NT$16 million which has been accumulated through donations, while the county government provides NT$800,000 each year. Lan Sheng's operating costs and rent are covered by donations, government grants, and interest on capital.
With no financial worries, the workers and teachers at the children's village can concentrate on finding the best way to provide the children with an ideal environment in which to live and grow. The children learn about life, customs, and the adult world in general at the school. The achievements of the Lan Sheng Children's Village make it an example for other elementary schools to follow.
[Picture Caption]
1) Lan Sheng Children's Village. 2) Courtyard at night. 3) A pleasant place to relax or paint. 4) All the windows are framed in white to create a beautiful effect.
1) Dormitory room. 2) Li Wen-chi polishing the bicycle he uses to go to school. 3) Learning to write. 4) Children can watch TV after dinner. 5) Children wash the dishes themselves. 6) Hsiao Lan enjoys a moment of solitude with her dolls.
1) On the jungle gym. 2) Older children play chess while a younger child looks on. 3) The nursery school's science corner. 4)&5) A helping hand after nap time. 6) A large sheet of white paper is hung in the art corner. 7) Music time.
1) The library. 2) Little girls like the doll corner most of all.
A pleasant place to relax or paint.
All the windows are framed in white to create a beautiful effect.
Children can watch TV after dinner.
Children wash the dishes themselves.
Li Wen-chi polishing the bicycle he uses to go to school.
Hsiao Lan enjoys a moment of solitude with her dolls.
Older children play chess while a younger child looks on.
The nursery school's science corner.
A helping hand after nap time.
A helping hand after nap time.
A large sheet of white paper is hung in the art corner.
Little girls like the doll corner most of all.
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