Tzu Chi University Works with Local NGOs in Developing New Usages of Betel Leaves

Tzu Chi University has signed Partnership and Collaboration Memorandums with the Association of Vataan Youth Cultural and Educational Development and the Pinkoi, a shop for original design products from independent designers. Through working with these two partners, the University wishes to promote Guangfu Township’s cultural heritage and enhance sustainable operations. Tzu Chi University and Guangfu Township have a long history of collaboration in the past.

Association of Vataan Youth Cultural and Educational Development president Jen-Fu Chang and Mei-Lan Chen, the owner of Pinkoi, signed the memorandums with the University on behalf of their organizations.

This is Tzu Chi University’s second year working with these two organizations. Last year, University students taking the Health Management Practice Course worked closely with tribal residents. They found out that the tribe produced many betel leaves, so the students worked with tribal youths and tried to develop some ideas to better use these leaves. Amazingly, they successfully utilized betel leaves to make handmade soaps, facial masks, etc.

This collaboration project set three goals:

1. Work on tribal health promotion
   University faculty members and students provide health-related information (such as hands cleaning) and sponsor various workshops.
2. Serve tribal elders
   Tribal elders enjoy the company of our students, and students apply what they have learned to attend to their needs, and share how to live healthily with them. The University aims to train students to lead tribal health promotion.
3.  Assist tribal residents in developing better usage of betel leaves and help market the products to the public.

Professor Hui-Chuan Kao of the Department of Public Health said that betel nuts come to our mind whenever we mention betel leaves. We often use betel leaves for wrapping betel nuts, but for indigenous people, the leaves are closely related to tribal worship and celebration. Jun-Long Huang, head of the Youth Group of Matthew’s Catholic Church, said that the tribal people would chew and smear the leaves on wounds to stop bleeding, reduce swelling, and even use them in cooking.

The team has collected wild leaves on the hills of Guangfu Township. Extraction of the leaves conducted by the University’s graduate students was used in making handmade soaps and facial masks. Students have continuously tried to enhance the facial masks’ functions, and as a result, these facial masks do well in moisturizing and lightening the skin. The team will keep making endeavors to produce and market handmade soaps and facial masks to help tribal residents enhance their financial well-being.

Tzu Chi University’s USR HUB enthusiastically supported this project. The University expected faculty members and students to be with community elders and assist them in living their lives happily and healthily, help develop and market betel leaves-related products to the public, and help enhance their financial well-being. Their endeavors have benefited many tribal elders, farmers, and businessmen. Furthermore, the University’s students have gained precious experiences from serving these people.