Hakka Affairs Council (HAC) Minister Lee Yung-de headed for Hsinchu on July 8, first visiting a Hakka senior care station following the central government’s policy on long-term care, then attending a ceremony celebrating the establishment of National Hakka Children’s Choir (國立客家兒童合唱團).

Collaborating with the Ministry of Health and Welfare, HAC launched in 2017 the “Bagong Care Station (伯公照護站)” program for the elderly in Hakka villages. The subsidization of the care station encompasses subvention and health services. The subsidies cover the expense of constructing an environment that reflects Hakka heritage, payments of volunteers who are fluent in the Hakka, and transportation fees. Additional medical services include medicine delivery, mobile medical examination, and telecare networks.

The senior care station that Minister Lee visited is organized by Hsinguo Community Development Association (新國社區發展協會) and has been part of the “Bagong program” for two years. The association, led by Peng De-chang (彭德昌), engages in community services based on familiarity with elderly needs in this Hakka region. The number of Bagong care stations has steadily increased from 35 to 153 across Taiwan. After inspecting the care station of Hsinguo community, Lee hoped that the seniors of all Hakka villages will obtain good care from the government.

Lee then paid a visit to National Hakka Children’s Choir, whose members were just confirmed on July 4, and bestowed musical scores to the chorus to symbolize its inauguration. Peng Meng-hsien (彭孟賢), who helped the Taipei-based Müller Chamber Choir (木樓合唱團) win several top prizes in international competitions, was appointed to be its artistic director and conductor.