Chen Shu-chu

Perhaps today's best news is that our fellow countrywoman Chen Shu-chu's being one of the 100 most influential people listed by the TIME magazine. Ms. Chen was enlisted in the category of Heroes. The article written by the famous Taiwan-born director Ang Lee is quite easy and touching.

http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,1984685_1984949_1985237,00.html

 

Chen Shu-chu

By Ang Lee Thursday, Apr. 29, 2010

Chen Shu-chu is a seller of vegetables in a stall in Taitung County's central market, in southern Taiwan. Out of her modest living, Chen, 59, has managed to donate nearly NT$10 million (that's $320,000) to various causes, including $32,000 for a children's fund, $144,000 to help build a library at a school she attended and another $32,000 for the local orphanage, where she also gives financial support to three children.

What's so wonderful about Chen's achievement is not its extraordinariness but that it is so simple and matter of fact in its generosity. "Money serves its purpose only when it is used for those who need it," she told a newspaper.

And rather than bask in her celebrity, Chen seems to dismiss the whole thing with a wave of her hand, perhaps even with a hint of irritation. "There isn't much to talk about, because I did not enter any competition," she says. "I haven't really made any huge donations."

She's planning to establish a fund to help the poor with education, food and health care. Amazing, but of all she has given away, her greatest gift is her example.

Lee is the Taiwanese-born director of Brokeback Mountain

Read more: http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,1984685_1984949_1985237,00.html#ixzz0n3gmB4I3

My comments: Ms. Chen's story reminds me of the story of an old couple I read several years ago in the newspaper.  After retirement, every morning, the couple searched in the newspaper for news stories about poor people who needed help.  Then they would donate some money to them.  That is one of the most memorable and touching news stories I've ever read.  I salute this kind of people from the bottom of my heart.