And the Adventure continues...

We are currently exploring the lovely countryside of YiLan. Today we toured Cilan National Forest Recreation Centre. We saw beautiful mountains, rivers and some wildlife ( monkeys, deer and some ducks)

Over the last few days the team has had some great opportunities to explore their vocations. Some vocations included health centres, the Yilan University and Jih-Sun stock exchange. The team expressed they are all learning lots and have great ideas to share with their colleagues when they get back home to Canada.

Some of the amazing vocational experiences I have had recently are:
Yi-LAN county government Department for handicaps: Government department of social services. They run several programs here for those facing poverty/ abuse/ disability/ violence against women and children and a daycare program for seniors.

I also visited the YuLan public health centre where Dr. Chan gave me the tour. The Taiwanese people can see more than one family doctor of their choice. They are not rostered to just one doctor. He said he sees approximately 25- 30 patients per day. I was so surprised to see no one waiting in the reception/ waiting rooms ( efficient health care system). He was seeing patients and giving me a tour at same time- so relaxed!! He told me the whole referral process of how he refers patients into quit smoking programs/ diabetes/ hypertension etc. This public health centre pictured below in Yilan. Built 8 years ago, cost $3 million dollars. Green energy, Eco friendly building. Lots of natural light and green roofs ( acts as a cooling system) also pictured below are
Health promotion signs: healthy babies program, quit smoking programs/ healthy eating programs. Huge banners all over the city of Yilan/ Taipei. I am very impressed with the health care and promotion here in Taiwan.

Lastly, Alex and I visited the Centre for disability and elderly care. This women ( patient with dementia - last picture) was a teacher in the States in 1960's. She spoke English for many years there. She's been at this seniors centre in taiwan for 5 years and hardly speaks at all because they all speak Chinese. We were introduced to her in English and she was so excited. All the employees told us they had never seen her so happy or talk so much English in the 5 years she has been there. She was so happy to speak English to us. It was a touching moment.

We have a fun day planned for tomorrow at the Tou-Cheng Farm. Yee-ha. Stay tuned.

Shannon