Make river and old houses smile again
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About the project
Make river and old houses smile again
📝 Detailed information
🏢 About the local organisation
Taichung City Chang-You Caring Association Dongxin Story Exchange workcamp 2026 is an 8-day international volunteer workcamp hosted by Taichung City Chang-You Caring Association in Taichung City. The workcamp combines three local services (1) community care for the elderly and meal service, (2) day care services for people with disabilities, and (3) a community supply bank (providing matching donations for disadvantaged families) with a special program called Ocean Dreams: accompanying children and their families on an overnight program at the National Museum of Marine Biology & Aquarium. Through companionship, simple logistical support, and story-based cultural exchange, volunteers help build an inclusive community where seniors, people with disabilities, children, and international youth can learn from and grow together. The schedule will be planned based on the community’s daily services and children’s after-school photo schedule. On the fourth day (Friday), the community will host an International Cultural Night and a Marine Dream Pledge Ceremony, where seniors, children’s families, and residents will gather to enhance team cohesion and prepare for their early departure on the fifth day. Achievements over the past years (highlights): 1. Provide ongoing elderly care services, including regular community meals, gatherings, and events. 2. Operate a day care service for people with disabilities and a community supply depot (sorting and distributing donated goods). 3. Organize international cultural exchange activities in collaboration with local temples and community partners. Aims: 1. Silver Age Vitality: Support senior citizen programs and achieve over 100 participants during the camp. 2. Storytelling Book: Collaborate on the creation of a bilingual community storybook (mini-magazine/PDF) and a 60-90 second engaging video (with consent). 3. Ocean Dreams: Accompany approximately 30 children through an overnight experience at the Ocean Museum, enhancing their confidence and global awareness. 4. Community Inclusion: Attract 50-80 residents to a intercultural exchange evening, strengthening local and international solidarity.
💼 What the programme involves
Wuqi District is located in a plain between the Da’an River and the Dadu River. It is bordered by Qingshui District to the north, Shalu District to the east, Longjing District to the south, and the Taiwan Strait to the west. Today, the coastline of Wuqi is connected to the Port of Taichung. As a coastal town, the development history of Wuqi is inextricably linked to the prosperity of the port. Wuqi was formerly known as "Zhuofa Xie" and "Wucha Gang". In the Daoguang period of the Qing Dynasty, it was called "Ao Xi". In the Guangxu period of the Qing Dynasty (1891), it was renamed Wuqi Port, taking the elegant meaning of "Phoenix does not rest on a non-Wuchi, does not drink from a non-spiritual spring, and does not eat bamboo". On December 25, 2010, Wuqi Township was upgraded to Wuqi District as part of the merger of Taichung County and City into a special municipality. Although the administrative area is not vast, it still has a deep cultural tourism potential, especially its rich cultural assets, such as local historical relics, historical buildings, and local folk culture, which are all worth seeing. In the past few years of its prosperous years, temples have also become ubiquitous buildings in Wuqi, reflecting the piety of the ancestors to religion and their expectations for life. When the northeast monsoon blows, local eels migrate, and various seafood restaurants can be seen in Wuqi. These restaurants not only satisfy the appetite, but also allow visitors to experience the daily life on this land. Aims: The Taichung Coast has many traditional buildings and is a place where the migration of settlements and folk activities are thriving. The purpose of this event is to understand the importance of maintaining the environmental conditions of the port area, and to learn about the old buildings in the port area of Taichung City, such as the traditional residences in Wuqi Old Street. Participants will learn about traditional architecture and how to reuse it. This event also allows participants to experience the local customs, industry, and life of Taichung Harbor. W: 1. Cleaning the river in the port area We will clean up the river in the port area to improve the environmental conditions and make it a more pleasant place for everyone to enjoy. This task will require physical labor and a commitment to working as a team. 2. Restoring old buildings and creating spaces We will work to restore old buildings in the port area and create new spaces for community use. This task will require creativity and a passion for preserving local history and culture. We are especially looking for participants with backgrounds in visual arts, architecture design, landscape, and space planning. These skills will be essential for the success of these projects. We believe that these projects have the potential to make a real difference in the community. We are excited to see what we can accomplisht
Your work will be hands-on and essential to the project's success. You will collaborate closely with local staff and community members, gaining a unique insight into Taiwanese culture and community life. The main tasks are divided into two key areas:
1. Environmental Restoration
You will participate in cleaning and restoring the local river in the port area. This vital work helps improve the environmental health of the waterway, making it a cleaner, more beautiful, and enjoyable space for both residents and visitors. This task requires physical effort and a collaborative spirit, as you will be working as part of a dedicated team.
2. Heritage Conservation and Space Creation
Volunteers will assist in the restoration of traditional buildings in the historic port area. This involves learning about traditional construction techniques and contributing to the preservation of local history. The goal is not only to restore these structures but also to repurpose them into vibrant new spaces for community use, such as cultural centres or workshops. This creative work helps breathe new life into the heart of the community.
To maximise the project's impact, we are especially looking for volunteers with skills or an interest in visual arts, architectural design, landscape architecture, and space planning. Your creativity and passion for preserving local culture will be invaluable.
🏠 Accommodation on site
🍲 Food
Our partner organisation will provide daily meals, giving you a wonderful opportunity to sample authentic Taiwanese cuisine. The coastal location means you can expect delicious, fresh seafood to be a highlight. If you have any specific dietary requirements or allergies, please inform our partner organisation in advance so they can make the necessary arrangements.
📍 About the location
🎒 Leisure activities
During your free time, you will have plenty of opportunities to explore the unique culture and natural beauty of central Taiwan. In Wuqi, you can wander through the old streets and sample local delicacies, especially the renowned seafood dishes served in the town's many restaurants. A short trip away, you can visit the breathtaking Gaomei Wetlands, famous for its stunning sunsets and rich biodiversity. You can also explore the vibrant city of Taichung, known for its thriving arts scene, bustling night markets, and iconic landmarks like the National Taichung Theater and the colourful Rainbow Village.
⚠️ Requirements
This project is ideal for individuals who are passionate about community service, cultural heritage, and environmental conservation. We welcome motivated volunteers who are ready for physical work and eager to immerse themselves in a new culture. We particularly encourage applications from participants with a background or strong interest in:
Visual arts
Architectural design
Landscape architecture
Space planning and creation
🤝 Meeting point
Meeting point: No. 14, Aoxi Rd., Wuqi Dist., Taichung City 435059 , Taiwan
TIME: first day between 1400-1600 pm
Transportation details will be provided on infosheet, which will be sent one month before the project
ℹ️ Additional information
We prefer participants who are interested in community service, old house restoration, and space creation, particularly those with relevant background experience in visual arts, architectural design, landscape architecture, and space planning.
Basic insurance will be provided during project period, but we strongly recommend that you
purchase overseas travel insurance covering the entire trip.
Interested in this project? Create your account and apply online.
Sign in to apply📷 Project photos
📅 Available sessions
VYA-1704-DM
10/07/2017 → 11/08/2017
VYA-2407HC
22/08/2024 → 31/08/2024
VYA-2604HC
10/08/2026 at 00:00 → 28/08/2026 at 00:00
ℹ️ Key information
Age required
18–50 years old
Solidarity donation
300.00 USD ≈ 269 EUR
French tax residents may be eligible for a tax reduction of up to 66% of their costs (membership, plane tickets, solidarity donation).
📍 Location
Taichung City, Taiwan
Taiwan
🌍 Location info
Local currency
Taiwan New Dollar (TWD / NT$)
Exchange rate
1 TWD = 0.027269 EUR
Rate as of 31/05/2026
Timezone
Taiwan Standard Time
Local time: 21:45 (12/11/2026)
🛡️ Before you leave
✅ Features
🏠 Accommodation
🗣️ Languages spoken