Chen Shu-chu sells vegetables in a stall in Taitung County’s central market, in eastern Taiwan. Can you imagine a vegetable seller being listed in Time Magazine’s top 100 most influential people in the world? It is absolutely astonishing that she is not only in Time’s 100 but also in Forbes Asia 48 outstanding philanthropists and Reader’s Digest’s Asian of the year 2010.
Do you think any of this is possible for a vegetable seller? Many may say ‘No’, but Chen Shu-chu is an inspiration to everyone by achieving all these.
Chen Shu-chu came into the limelight for the donations that she made out of profits by selling vegetables in her stall. Chen has so far donated nearly NT$10 million ($320,000) from her modest living.
- In 2004, she donated $32,000 for a children’s fund
- In 2005, she contributed $144,000 for building a library at the school she attended
- She donated $31,000 in 2006 to the Kids Alive International orphanage and has spent $11,000 to support 3 orphans there.
She plans to set up a $313,000 fund this year to help the poor with education and health care.
- In 2004, she donated $32,000 for a children’s fund
- In 2005, she contributed $144,000 for building a library at the school she attended
- She donated $31,000 in 2006 to the Kids Alive International orphanage and has spent $11,000 to support 3 orphans there.
She plans to set up a $313,000 fund this year to help the poor with education and health care.
In March, Forbes magazine named her one of 48 outstanding philanthropists from the Asia-Pacific region. A month later, Time magazine selected the year’s top 100 influential people and Chen emerged under the Heroes of Philanthropy category. She was also named as the Reader’s Digest Asian of the Year 2010.
Fellow Taiwanese and Oscar-winning director Ang Lee wrote her entry personally in Time Magazine. “Money is only worthy if given to those in need,” he quoted Chen. He also wrote, “Amazing, but of all she has given away, her greatest gift is leading by example.”
Despite the honour of receiving the Time award in New York, gaining global recognition, and a personal meeting with Taiwan’s President Ma Ying-jeou, all Chen really cares about is her vegetable stall. What’s so wonderful about Chen’s achievement is not its extraordinariness but that it is so simple and matter of fact in its generosity. “Money serves its purpose only when it is used for those who need it,” she told a newspaper.
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