CYCLING AROUND TAIWAN

By Social worker Zheng-Yi Chang

In the past two years, several conversations with the Chief Supervisor of Cathwel Service inspired me to raise the idea, cycling around Taiwan.  She often reminded me to help children to experience success in their lives.  Then the children may cultivate self-confidence and positive power to face their independent life in the future.
The memory of cycling around the island with friends years ago occurred to me.  I thought it could create a new field for the children.  At the same time, the children would have opportunities to perform themselves through the activity of cycling around Taiwan.  So I proposed the idea in a meeting of annual planning and began to implement it step by step.
In the last four months before departure, we jogged with children almost every day. Also, we encouraged with each other by many dialogues and discussions.  “Perhaps some of you are worried about that you may not complete the cycling with current physical status, but I have to tell you that physical status is almost the last thing for the activity”, said I.  I knew that the dialogue would help us to create team spirit.  Many of us are not able to complete 3 km jogging successfully at the end of training, including the team leader--me.  Yet, there was one important rule in our team--Never give up anyone of the team.  “Kids, according to our rules,” said I, “the team is organized according to personal physical status--the worst one was ranked first and then the second worst one.... No one is allowed to change the order except the team leader.”  According to the arrangement, the better physical riders had to follow the poor physical ones.  There was nothing but cheering you could do for the rider before you once he was too slow.
Although I, as the team leader, wanted to give up for several times in the journey, but my heart was always uplifted and touched by children’s encouragement for each other.  There was no word of complaining or giving up eventually.  We had completed the missions of cycling around Taiwan which we did not believe we could make it.
Beyond my expectations, children all showed positive attitude while some unexpected events (flat tired, sudden cramps, heatstroke, asthma or exhaustion) or accidents (crash or poor collision) happened.  The team members neither requested to rest on the van nor gave it up in the thirteen days.  It touched me so much that there was almost no complaining about the riding speed or stamina.  Many people may believe that successful experience was most important for the children after the trip.  Nevertheless, in my eyes, what children had learned most was that sincere and care may encourage another very much.
Thank God children were willing to pray together for the trip every morning.  I have witnessed how God accompanied us.  May God help children keep the good human nature in their mind.