Hope for the Loofa Kids

Every Wednesday afternoon, a group of kids are busy working the land; this is the loofa team. The whole loofa making process, from planting, harvesting and finishing, is completely carried out by the group. In the eyes of the kids, the farm is a springboard to realizing their dreams. The loofa team from Youmu Elementary School (有木國小) in Sanxi (三峽), is composed of underprivileged kids who have taken part in a program to help them appreciate the work process and build self-confidence.

This summer, after cycling to Nantou, they took part in the 3000-meter Swim Across Sun Moon Lake challenge (日月潭泳渡活動). Though it was extremely demanding, they never gave up, and managed to complete the journey and realize a dream. ‘Hope of the Loofa Kids’, which has already been running for 7 years, provides long-term guidance that instills a positive system of values in children as they grow up. It is hoped that such love and warmth can be passed on to future generations.

Hope for the Loofa Kids

URL:https://www.peopo.org/news/221519

(以下為中文對照)
絲瓜孩子的希望

每到週三下午，有一群孩子正忙著整理農田，他們是絲瓜小隊。從絲瓜播種、採收到製成菜瓜布都親自打理。對他們來說，這裡是圓夢計畫的起頭。這群來自三峽有木國小的絲瓜小隊，是由一群弱勢家庭的學童所組成，透過種植絲瓜及志工關懷的成長陪伴計畫，讓他們在勞動過程中學習如何付出，肯定自我。今年夏天，他們從三峽騎乘單車到南投，並挑戰三千多公尺的日月潭泳渡活動，雖然過程辛苦，但他們依然持續計畫著不一樣的圓夢旅程。「絲瓜孩子的希望」至今已經持續七年，透過這樣的長期陪伴和導正價值觀協助孩子們成長，期待這樣的愛與溫暖在未來也能夠繼續傳承下去。