In 2021, Rerum Novarum collected winter clothes, epidemic prevention and living materials from the public for a whole year, and sent them to 19 fishing ports for the foreign fishermen in Keelung City and New Taipei City on the north coast on 12/16 and 12/17, with a total of 1,049 foreign fisherman has benefited, with full of gratitude and joy.
Thanks to Wan Hai Shipping Co., Ltd., Wan Hai Shipping Charity Foundation, and Tianhe Foundation for donating 1,000 water bottles, and the Rotary Club of East District of Keelung City and the general public for donating love cold and epidemic prevention materials. Rerum Novarum wrapped these loves into gifts, and gave them with a grateful heart, so that every foreign fisherman who received a gift could feel the warmth gathered in this land of Taiwan.
On 12/17, 謝詩祥神父、范慶靈修士與新事鍾佳伶主任 led a total of 14 colleagues, interns and partner Wanhai volunteer team to the port to send supplies to foreign fishermen.
The weather on the day was completely different from the previous day, the temperature was like a slide, it dropped several degrees, and there were bursts of drizzle in the sky, which made the clothes particularly warm and timely in such weather.
In cold weather, we walk along the north coast, starting from Aodi, passing by Longdong, Bitou, Nanya, Changtanli, Waimushan, Dawulun, Wanli, Guihou, Shimen, Houcuo, Xiaguzi, etc. Twelve second-class small fishing ports, with a total of 333 foreign fishermen, received warm love materials from the society in the cold wind and drizzle.
After dawning, the partners who participated in the event were already in front of the Rerum Novarum Office, packing the packed materials, and hand-delivered them to the big trucks according to different fishing ports. The two trucks are full of love. The mighty set off in the cold wind and drizzle to the fishing port in the northeast corner of Taiwan.
After more than an hour's driving, we came to Aodi Fishing Port, which was blowing with strong cold wind. The fishermen saw our arrival and left the cabin despite the wind and rain to queue up to receive supplies. The fishermen who received the supplies were afraid that their fellow villagers would not get them, so they called and notified their fellow villagers to come. After waiting for a while, we saw many fishermen riding bicycles, swaying in the strong wind and trying to move forward, in order to get the supplies quickly. Given that many foreign fishermen in the port did not get the materials because they left the port last year, this year we specially prepared more quantities so that the fishermen in the port could get as many materials as possible. After the fishermen got the quilt, they felt the softness of the quilt and asked how expensive the quilt was because it felt so comfortable. Next to the place where the supplies were distributed, there was a boat owner who was boarding the fish and getting them on the truck. They told us that their fishermen had been working together for more than four years. They ask us whether other fishermen can get the supplies. Of course! we welcome them. Feeling the warmth of society, a total of 66 fishermen received supplies when they left.
Next, we went to the three small fishing ports of Longdong, Bitou, and Nanya. Usually, there are only 25 fishermen in these three fishing ports. Although the weather is terrible, all the fishermen got supplies successfully. The resources of the big port are much more than that of the small port, especially the small port with a smaller number of people, its resources are even less. Therefore, the small number of small port fishermen rarely have the opportunity to receive materials donated by the public. Rerum Novarum is stick to the spirit of resource sharing, so that the small number of small port fishermen can also share social resources and get materials. When these fishermen got things, they all showed shy expressions, and said thank you in a shy tone to express their gratitude to the public.
After leaving Nanya Fishing Port in New Taipei City, we came to Changtanli Fishing Port in Keelung City. The wind and rain were getting heavier at that time, so my partners accelerated and distributed the supplies to 39 fishermen as soon as possible. We took a happy group photo so that the public can see their happiness and gratitude.
The next stop came to Waimushan Fishing Port. At that time, we saw 22 foreign fishermen gathering under the eaves of the warehouse in the rain to hide from the rain and wait for the delivery of supplies. The president of the Rotary Club in the East District of Keelung City and its members also came to this fishing port to participate in the distribution of materials. In the rain, they handed over thick coats and other materials to the hands of the fishermen and cheered for the fishermen. They cheers and thank for their hard work and dedication to Taiwanese fishing industry. The fishermen who received the supplies took a happy photo with the president, members and activity partners, which seemed particularly warm in the wind and rain.
Along the coastline, we came to a small fishing port, Dawulun Fishing Port, which has only 10 foreign fishermen. Since this fishing port is facing the valley, the wind is particularly strong, and the cold wind blows people to feel colder, so everyone speeds up to deliver the supplies to the fishermen. Their mouths were shivering and said thank you. They told the fishermen to return to the cabin as soon as possible to avoid being in the cold weather.
Next, we went to the famous Wanli Fishing Port and Guihou Fishing Port. Most of these two ports are famous for catching crabs. A total of 133 foreign fishermen in the two fishing ports received supplies. The fishermen lined up under the building where the fishing gear was sorted out. Everyone kept order and received the supplies one by one, making the whole delivery process very smooth and not messy. The fishermen expressed their gratitude by saying thank you in Chinese, and told us that the weather was really cold, and it would be warmer if they had a quilt. Although the weather is very cold, and with the love of Taiwanese society, we provide them with supplies to drive out the cold.
After leaving the Guihou Fishing Port, we came to the Shimen Fishing Port along with Danjin Highway. We encountered the employers and agents of six foreign fishermen in the port. Although the number of fishermen was little, the fishermen lined up in an orderly manner wearing masks. The partners sent gifts to the fishermen with sincere, and took a photo with those fishermen. Because the employer was nearby, the fishermen were very shy, saying thank you in a low voice in Indonesian, thanking us for sending supplies to them. On behalf of the fishermen, the employer also thanked the public for their love, expressed his gratitude to us, and thanked the employees who brought warm materials.
Along the coastline of the Danjin Highway, we came to Houcuo Fishing Port, which originally had less than ten fishermen. Some employers knew through the fishing club that we were going to send supplies, so they drove the boat here and waited for our arrival. When the event team arrived, several boat owners were already waiting with the fishermen, and a total of 18 foreign fishermen got supplies. The fishermen said they were very happy. They told us that they didn’t expect to be able to get such abundant supplies like a big fishing port in such a small fishing port. They were really happy. With thick and fluffy quilts, the fishermen took a group photo with their partners next to the newly built port warehouse by the New Taipei City Government. The words “Hi, Fishing Port" were painted on the walls of the warehouse. In the cold wind and drizzle, they looked very relaxed and joyful.
Finally, we arrived at the Xiaguzi Fishing Port in Bali District, New Taipei City. Due to the epidemic, there are 14 foreign fishermen left compared to originally more than 30 fishermen in the port. Due to the bad weather, the fishing boat did not leave the port, so the fishermen in the port began to wait for our arrival in the morning, and finally saw us arriving in the afternoon. After arriving, the fishermen began to line up, and soon all the fishermen got supplies and quilts, and happily took pictures with their partners. Suddenly, an employer came on a motorcycle and said that his fisherman had gone out. “Can you wait for one fisherman?” Seeing the employer who took care of the fisherman like this, we immediately prepared a portion of the supplies, and the fisherman came on a bicycle. He is very happy to get the materials, and the employer expresses his gratitude.
The annual winter clothes warm-up activity is touching to see people on this land in Taiwan expressing care and gratitude to each other through materials. Although sometimes we cannot meet directly, our hearts are connected by our communication. We believe that the intangible can be turned into the tangible when people try to support each other.
In the long run, the fishermen is a group who has been ignored. In 2017, Rerum Novarum reach these people. We not only concern about their lives but help them solve the problem about regulation, salary payment, job accident, employers changing, human trafficking, and so on. We went to 24 ports and solve the practical problems of the fishermen. Due to the language barrier, we see many fishermen do not know how to ask for help and bear the difficult working environment instead. They are working day and night with the thin salary. We are looking forward to your help and hope your can be the protector for the foreign migrants. Press “I want to donate.” or call (02)2397-1933 #122. Thanks for your attention!