Creating a safe and healthy environment for seniors

Gongming Community Development Center was established more than seven years ago in the Shalu District of Taichung. The achievements of the center go beyond activities and services to include community landscaping and agro-ecology. By forging a close bond between residents, retirement no longer needs to be monotonous or boring and the community's friendly human touch is helping local seniors face life and adversity head on.

With lots of vacant farmland in the area, the center has been encouraging residents to get involved in organic farming. This initiative has reduced the rate of fallow farmland in the area and also helped guide people towards a healthier, greener lifestyle, while at the same time creating a natural community environment. In addition, the community’s hard work in natural farming has culminated in the Sweet Potato Festival, which gives locals some much-appreciated extra income and also provides a safe and friendly living environment for the disabled and those who have dementia.

以下為中文對照

公明社區發展中心位於沙鹿區，創辦七年多，成就之處不僅限於中心活動和服務。社區景觀以及農業生態也是其心血結晶。社區居民連結親密，老人退休生活不再是單調與乏味。人情味濃厚的社區環境更能夠讓他們積極歡樂面對生活與逆境。

社區裡有許多空置農地，因此中心藉由讓居民共同投入耕種，自給自足的方式加大了農地使用率，而無農藥的綠色種植也鼓勵了民眾綠色的飲食生活，創造綠色自然環境。另外，藉由綠色種植，社區還創辦了地瓜節，通過售賣綠色地瓜，為居民增加額外收入，也為失智失能長者提供友善的生活環境。

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