On Saturday evening, November 28th, the Taiwan Children’s Choir sponsored by World Vision Taiwan will perform alongside Heavenly Melody at a concert titled “Praise Hope, Sing for Love,” at Grace Baptist Church. The purpose of the concert is to raise support for children and families affected by Typhoon Morakot. 

Performing members of the Taiwan Children’s Choir are from Chiayi Primary School Culture Team, Majia Township, Pintung County. First Lady Chow Mei Ching, who will be in attendance at the concert, visited Chiayi Primary School with World Vision after Typhoon Morakot struck Taiwan and met the choir members at that time also.

Chiayi Primary School Culture Team was recently invited to perform for typhoon-affected people living in Long-Quan shelter camp. The choir members were glad that they were able to do something for people in need.

Xiao Yang, a 6th grade primary school student, said: “Although we cannot directly bring help to them, we can comfort them with our singing.”

“When seeing affected people working to go back normal life and rebuild their homes, I think we are filled with encouragement. We should pass on our encouragement to those who are suffering and make them happy like us,” said another 6th grade student, Xiao Hsuan.

Tsai I Fang, a counselor of the cultural team, said that the devastation of Typhoon Morakot made the children aware of the awesome and destructive power of nature. Since then, the children began to really cherish practice time and devoted themselves to singing. Some of the children who used to receive poor grades have also made significant improvement in their studies. Teacher Tsai emphasized: “The purpose of cultural team is not only to embrace aboriginal culture, but also to help students develop their confidence.’

Heavenly Melody, a highly acclaimed Christian music group, has partnered with World Vision in recent years by performing at 30 Hour Famine Hero Rallies. After Typhoon Morakot struck Taiwan, they were invited to perform in several affected areas. At the end of each performance, members of Heavenly Melody interacted with the audience to listen to their needs and pray for them.

Wang Mei, a member of Heavenly Melody, shared an experience after a performance in Linbian township, Pintung last Saturday.

“A woman, who had joined a daytime concert in a primary school, also appeared at our concert in the evening with her husband. She told me that their rice shop had been flooded three times over the past three years. They were in debt of over one million dollars and had been in distress for a long time. After listening to our singing they felt relief, something they had not felt in previous years,” said Wang Mei.

Having a safe and stable home is a shared wish for all people who have lost their home in the aftermath of Typhoon Morakot. World Vision is working to build temporary and permanent homes in Taitung, Pingtung, Kaohsiung and Chiayi counties. Moreover, World Vision is planning to launch programs in sectors such as community industry, indigenous community development, children’s care, life education, and psychological rehabilitation. A total of rehabilitation budget is estimated at NT$1.3 billion.

World Vision urges the public to continue paying attention to children and families affected by Typhoon Morakot and to contribute to World Vision’s recovery program.