By Marie-Claude Pelchat | Project Leader
“I don’t know who you are or where you are, but I want to thank you!”
Shih-Yu is a third year university student majoring in Creative Product Design and Management. She was enjoying an outdoor concert with friends at the Formosa Fun Coast Waterpark on June 27 2015 when they were suddenly caught in the midst of a powder explosion ignited by fireworks near the stage. Shih-Yu says: “I don’t remember clearly the explosion but I remember people trying to escape and as I fell to the ground, I felt my legs burning.” As people were frantically looking for water to pour over their burns, Shih-Yu stumbled upon another injured girl holding a bottle of mineral water who said to her: “I’ll share this bottle with you.” Later on, as she sat on the ground unable to move, a stranger picked her up in his arms and helped her board an ambulance.
After sustaining burns on 38% of her body (mostly her legs) and undergoing more than one year of painful rehabilitation, she is now back to school. Although she still faces some challenges (for example, she is still unable to stand for too long because she will feel pain in her legs), Shih-Yu is eager to continue with her studies and be actively involved in student life. As president of her department’s student association, Shih-Yu mobilized her classmates and together, they put their creativity and artistic skills to use by organizing at the end of November a special DIY activity for clients of Sunshine’s Tainan Work Station. Art has a healing power and for Shih-Yu, this is a way to give back and express the gratitude she feels in her heart.
Shih-Yu didn’t get the chance to learn the names of the people who helped her that day or say thank you. Like the strangers who helped her the night of the explosion, Shih-Yu doesn’t know your name or where you are from, but she is well aware that throughout her recovery, she has benefited from the support of a multitude of generous people just like you: “I don’t know who you are or where you are, but I want to thank you!”
We hope that you will continue to support us during GlobalGiving’s 2016 Year End Campaign and consider making a donation to help burn survivors like Shih-Yu rebuild their life and start anew.
On behalf of everyone at Sunshine Social Welfare Foundation, we wish you Happy Holidays!
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