ESG News

Volunteer: Wu Shao-Wei

Before the sun rose, in my first year working in Hsinchu, I encountered the first cold wave of December. The biting cold wind made me shiver as I arrived early at the company for a volunteer trip to Taichung, ready for a special experience with visually impaired students. During the pre-trip briefing, I learned that "visually impaired" does not necessarily mean complete blindness; some still retain partial vision. This insight filled me with respect for their life challenges and piqued my curiosity. As we traveled, the lazy sunlight quietly spilled over the horizon, gradually draping the earth in a warm golden glow, as if unveiling the day's activities.

Upon arrival, I met the visually impaired students for the first time. Perhaps because these students were relatively young and lively, any initial unfamiliarity and subtle distance quickly melted away. The activities began with games to train visual focus. Through these light interactions, I glimpsed a small part of how visually impaired individuals adapt to the world in their unique ways. However, what truly struck me was the "Dark Experience Room" activity. Entering a completely dark environment, the world instantly plunged into deep silence. Unable to see anything, I felt isolated in endless space, experiencing an unprecedented sense of fear. Hesitant, I struggled to move, until a visually impaired student guided me on how to use touch to sense the wall textures, identify slopes, and locate corners. Their keen awareness of environmental details deeply moved me, as these seemingly trivial matters are their lifeline for normal living.

Next, a visually impaired perfumer shared his journey to becoming a perfumer with humor and sincerity. The process was not smooth; initially, relying solely on his sense of smell to distinguish different scents, the inability to read foreign labels, and the fear of spilling ingredients led to countless setbacks. Perhaps his sense of smell is akin to his eyes, guiding him to explore the world and "see" the beauty others might overlook. Under his guidance, we crafted our unique fragrances with the visually impaired students. From selecting ingredients to blending proportions, each step required patience and precision. The perfumer told us that after completion, the fragrance needs to rest for a month to fully meld before achieving the best effect. As I bottled my handmade fragrance, it became not just a creation, but a cherished memory encapsulated.

At noon, I walked outdoors with the visually impaired students. The winter sun gently warmed us, without being scorching. I paid special attention to the ground's undulations and obstacles, softly reminding him of his steps, fearing he might trip or fall, while also sharing the surrounding scenery with him. The student in my group had mild visual impairment, slightly lessening my pressure. The rustling of fallen leaves underfoot, the autumn and winter hues replacing summer's vibrant green, with interwoven oranges and deep browns, made the world seem steeped in a serene calm bestowed by time. Sitting on the grass, I closed my eyes to listen intently to nature's sounds, seemingly able to truly feel the world visually impaired people connect to through hearing—a unique richness and tranquility.

In the afternoon, we had a special sharing session with a blind barista. He recounted his educational journey, detailing how he overcame learning barriers and skepticism about his abilities due to his visual limitations. He spoke of learning coffee-making skills with the aid of assistive devices, emphasizing that being a barista was more than a job; it was a testament to his self-worth. I realized that becoming a visually impaired barista is not easy, often facing skeptical looks and doubts about his competence. Thus, every cup of coffee embodies his efforts and perseverance to overcome adversity. I reminded myself, "Perhaps he cannot see the world in front of him, but his dreams have never been blurred."

This day of volunteering not only deepened my understanding of the lives of visually impaired individuals but also revealed a strength in their stories and actions that refuses to bow to adversity. Through this exchange and companionship, I drew confidence and courage from them, learning to face unknown challenges with a more positive attitude.