Connecting Generations Through Conversation in Taiwan | HELLO Trust Tainan
- HELLO Trust Content Team
- 10 hours ago
- 3 min read
Author(s):
Kinbo Chang, Regional Manager of HELLO Trust Tainan
HELLO Trust Content Team
Date: August 1, 2026
Location: Tainan, Taiwan
On August 1, 2026, HELLO Trust Tainan successfully launched its first community initiative — a meaningful afternoon spent connecting with older adults in a local park.
Led by Regional Manager Kinbo Chang, five HELLO Trust members gathered at a designated meeting point before heading to the park with a simple goal: to listen, learn, and build bridges across generations.
Meaningful Encounters
The first person the team approached was a gentleman in his seventies, sitting quietly by the pond. He welcomed the conversation warmly and shared that he still runs his own traditional Chinese martial arts clinic — a profession he clearly takes great pride in.
During their exchange, the team also met a lady in her seventies who had previously worked for Suzuki, a Japanese company. She shared that she had used English regularly during her career and now keeps her skills sharp by practicing with the gentleman's granddaughter, who was dancing nearby. She also expressed her concern about developing dementia, explaining that she believes talking with others helps keep her mind active. She was delighted that a group of secondary school students had taken the time to chat with older adults and encouraged the team to continue their efforts.
The team spent considerable time listening to stories about the couple's younger days, exchanging thoughts, and learning from their experiences. Before leaving, they asked if they could take a group photo together — a request the couple happily accepted. The team also gave the gentleman's granddaughter a small gift: a box of Pocky.
A Warm Welcome
Later, the team met another group of five ladies relaxing in a pavilion. They warmly invited the students to sit down and join their conversation. Many of the ladies explained that their children now work away from home, so they often gather at the park to spend time with friends rather than staying indoors alone.
They noted that it is increasingly rare for young people to stop and chat with older adults, and they genuinely appreciated the visit. The conversation touched on life, family, and generational differences, with the ladies sharing valuable lessons and experiences from their own lives.
Before saying goodbye, the team asked if they could take a photo together. The ladies initially felt a little shy, joking that they had too many wrinkles to look good in photos. However, once the picture was taken, they were all smiles and laughter — and even asked the students to show them how beauty filters worked on their phones.
Reflection
As this was the first activity organised by HELLO Trust Tainan, the team was delighted that every member could take part. Although they were unsure how to start conversations with older adults at first, everything became much more natural once the ice was broken.
The team was surprised to discover that many of the older people they met had led remarkable lives and had so much wisdom and experience to share. The activity served as a powerful reminder of the importance of listening and connecting across generations.
Looking Ahead
HELLO Trust Tainan hopes that future activities will continue to bring young people and older adults closer together, while giving the team the opportunity to learn more about their stories and better understand their needs.
This first initiative marks a promising beginning for the Tainan branch — and a meaningful step forward in HELLO Trust's mission of building inclusive, connected communities.
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