Help Us Maintain the Tamsui Foreign Cemetery

We are looking for friends to join us for our regular maintenance event at Tamsui Foreign Cemetery in Taipei.

The Cemetery is located near TamKang High School in Danshui. 

It’s Tomb-Sweeping Season, and the Canadian Chamber is once again rolling up its sleeves and getting to work! A little bit of background for you:

The Foreign Cemetery has been cared for by the Canadian Society (now the Canadian Chamber of Commerce in Taiwan) since 1984. There are more than 70 graves in the cemetery, many of which belong to Canadians.

We regularly check in on the cemetery to make sure that it doesn’t get overgrown, and repaint the lettering on the tombstones, etc.

We will have drinks, snacks, and a simple barbecue set up, so no one will go hungry.

(Donations gratefully received 😉 ). Work gloves will also be supplied.

Oh, and of course, there’s beer. Because we’re Canadians.

Feel free to bring the whole family; there’s usually lots of kids that come to these clean-ups. Come and experience a really wonderful historical site, and a bit of history that we share with Taiwan.

Please kindly RSVP at the Facebook Event Page for us to get an idea of the number of people joining us! Thank you!

For more information about the Tamsui Foreign Cemetery please visit:

https://www.canchamtw.com/help-us-maintain-the-danshui-foreign-cemetery/

For more info, please contact: info@canchamtw.com

The History of Tamsui Foreign CemeteryGeorge Lesley Mackay

The cemetery grounds were consecrated in the early 1870s after a foreign event passed away in the Danshui area. She was buried on the top of the hill behind the Harbor. Soon after her, a second child passed away and was buried in the cemetery.

After the arrival of Dr. MacKay, the first Presbyterian missionary to northern Formosa, all foreigners were buried in the same area under the management of the British consulate, which was located in the Red Fort.

Dr. Mackay served with the Canadian Presbyterian Mission, and he is one of the best known Westerners to have lived in Taiwan. His grave lies in the eastern corner of the Tamkang Middle School campus.

His son is buried next to him.

The Japanese authorities in the early 1900s classified the lot as a cemetery, and it was given for perpetuity to the Consulate for the burial of foreigners.

The British Consulate was managing and maintaining the cemetery until the recognition of the PRC government in 1971, when the management was transferred to the Americans.

Following the closure of the American Embassy in the late 70s, the cemetery files were transferred to AIT, and the cemetery was abandoned.

Eventually, the wall was taken down, stones were stolen, and the graves became covered in tall grass.

In the early 80s, two Presbyterians missionaries, Jack Geddes and Georgine Caldwell, tried to do something about the miserable state of the cemetery, where many Canadian expats are buried.

They began by cutting the grass and cleaning the graves, and it eventually passed it into the hands of the Canadian Society in Taiwan for safe keeping in 1984.

And so began our tradition of paying our respects to those who are buried there by keeping their final resting place clean and beautiful.

Among the dead who rest here are Canadians, British, Americans, Germans, French, Spaniards, Portuguese, and Chinese. Some were missionaries, others were sailors, harbor masters, merchants, engineers and many infants.


Each year, on Tomb Sweeping Day, we visit the cemetery to clean up the grounds and to pay our respects.

In 2014, the Canadian Chamber of Commerce in Taiwan decided to visit the cemetery more regularly as many of the tombstones and walls were deteriorating quickly.

Some of the tasks involved with our clean-up are: cutting the grass, fixing and repainting the stones, and removing garbage and other debris that accumulates there. In 2016, the CCCT, thanks to its generous benefactors, was able to rebuild the entrance gate to the cemetery. We have also started contribution drives among the foreign community to rebuild the surrounding walls.

To stop the city government from destroying the cemetery to widen roads, the CCCT lobbied to declare the Danshui Foreign Cemetery a historical site in Taipei.

This happened officially in 1998, and the cemetery has been in our safekeeping ever since. Since then, money and raffle sales from our small business events has been allocated to the cemetery to help with its annual upkeep.

As the cemetery is adjacent to Dr. George Mackay and his family graves inside the TamKang High School, the school has also shown interest in helping with maintenance.

The wall between the two cemeteries was lowered to its original height, merging the two sites, giving them the view you have today.


Directions to Danshui Foreign Cemetery

Google Maps link:

淡水外僑墓園

02 2620 3850
https://maps.app.goo.gl/hFArdxhfC16dcZkd8

1. On Foot, Taxi

  • Get off at the MRT Danshui Station 淡水站
  • Take Zhongshan Road 中山路 and turn right on Xinsheng Street 新生街
  • Walk up Xinsheng Street 新生街 and turn left on Xinmin Street 新民街
  • Walk up Xinmin Street 新民街 and turn left on Zhenli Street Lane 3 真理街3巷
  • You’ll see the entrance of the cemetery on the right. Note: Total distance 1.5km, about 30 minutes’ walk. Taxi is about $120.

2. By Bus

  • There’s a bus stop across from MRT Danshui Station 淡水站
  • Take Red-26 and get off at Aletheia University 真理大學.(it’s the 4th stop)
  • Walk up the hill, pass Aletheia University真理大學 and you’ll see Tamkang High School 私立淡江高中.
  • The cemetery is inside the high school on the north east corner of the campus.

3. Drive

  • Take Zhongshan Road 中山路 to Wenhua Road 文化路.
  • Take Wenhua Road 文化路 to Zhenli Street 真理街 and turn right on Zhenli Street, Lane 3 真理街3巷 to Danshui TamKang High School 私立淡江高中.
  • Please park inside the high School. The cemetery is inside the high school on the north east corner of the campus. Note: About 15 minutes’ walk.

Featured Image Source: Guide Gecko

Business Lunch: Business of Martial Arts Opening in Different Countries – May 9, 2019

The CCCT’s Small Business Committee (SBC) invites you to attend our Business Lunch on Thursday May 9, 2019 at 12 pm, at CTOT.

The Canadian Chamber of Commerce in Taiwan (CCCT) and Lok’s Hapkido School are proud to present the business lunch with our special guest GrandMaster Michael Lok (Black belt 8th Dan), the President of the Korean new martial arts Hapkido federation in Canada, and his team.

We believe that your invaluable participation would further enhance mutual understanding on topics of expanding martial art or gym aboard. We sincerely look forward to having you with us for the discussion on 9th May. Below are the details of the CCCT Business Lunch: Business of Martial Arts Opening in Different Countries

Date: Thursday, 9th May, 2019
Time: 12 pm – 2 pm
Venue: MacKay Room, Canadian Trade Office in Taipei (No. 1 Songzhi Road, 6F, Taipei)
Cost: CCCT Members $600, non-members $900 (Includes light lunch and beverages)
Note: No walk-ins. Advance registration is required. No-shows and late cancellations (less than 24 hours) will be billed for the full amount.

Please fill out the form below for RSVP. The registration link is: https://forms.gle/NECCfPZP4yHs5vVRA

Speaker Background:

Lok’s Hapkido School, the largest Hapkido School in Canada since 1996. The Head Instructor of the school is GrandMaster Michael Lok (Black belt 8th Dan), whom has been instructing daily classes to thousands of students in his Richmond, British Columbia’s school. In 2008, GM Lok had been appointed as the President of the Korean new martial arts Hapkido federation in Canada. The premier Canadian Hapkido testing certification and Research center outside of Korea.

In 2013, GM Lok had been appointed the International President for China and [S.A.R.]. This expansion includes Hong Kong and Macau regions to promote Hapkido. In 2014, Lok’s Hapkido School expanded its network in Hong Kong. Currently, there are 4 locations throughout the city and two main training centers.In 2015, GM Lok had been appointed the Hapkido President in Taiwan. Immediately opened its first Hapkido School in Taipei. The first Korean Hapkido school in history of Taiwan. Supreme Grand Master Hwang Deok Kyu from Korea inaugurated this monumental event. Taiwan was also appointed as the Asian Head quarter in charge of instructor development. Nicholas Lok (Black Belt 5 th Dan Master Level) was tested in 2017 to develop and train future Instructors in the Asia pacific region. Currently, hundreds of students attend classes and practice daily in the art of Korean Self defense of Hapkido.

Terry Fox Run in Taipei

Are you a runner or do you like to walk? Would you like to help the Canadian Chamber of Commerce in Taiwan raise awareness for cancer research by participating on our CCCT Terry Fox Team?

This is a 5km run/walk that helps to raise awareness for cancer research through The Terry Fox Foundation. We would love for you to join us.

Register here to join our team: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfaQzjJz8H2i6R42olPYIxybvvw2ytc7ctGsvrbc9s9hhNZfw/viewform

授權單位: The Terry Fox Foundation
指導單位: 桃園市政府
主辦單位: 桃園市漢英高級中學 / 中華未來領袖育成協會 / Columbia International College Taiwan
活動日期:107年9月22日(六)上午8:00
出發地點:桃園市漢英高級中學(桃園市龍潭區中正路佳安路448號)
活動費用:完全免費
*為了讓參加路跑者能盡情奔跑,此次路跑分為5公里及10公里兩種路線
*響應終結癌症愛心捐款者致贈紀念衫一件,於路跑當日至櫃台領取。
*參加過2017年路跑的老朋友,請攜帶2017年所頒發的完賽證明書,以加註2018完賽證明戳記。
*募得的款項仍將全數捐贈于致力於癌症研究的加拿大The Terry Fox Foundation
捐款戶名:泉僑學校財團法人桃園市漢英高級中等學校
銀行:臺灣銀行 龍潭分行
帳號:226001007188

Register here to join our team: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfaQzjJz8H2i6R42olPYIxybvvw2ytc7ctGsvrbc9s9hhNZfw/viewform

Taiwan’s V-Men Charity Run Against Gender Violence

Come run with Canadian Trade Office in Taipei | 加拿大駐台北貿易辦事處 (CTOT) and the Canadian community in Taiwan at the V-Men Charity Run against gender violence on November 25!

Inspired by the global White Ribbon Campaign, which began in Canada in 1991, Taiwan’s V-Men Charity Run is organised annually by the Garden of Hope to demonstrate men’s support for an end to gender violence.

The V-Men run is not just for men, but is open to all genders and all ages. We encourage Canadians and friends in Taiwan to come out and join us. You can run 5K, 10K or 21K.

You’ll find more details below. If you are interested, please register at the link provided (Mandarin only) by October 27.

When: Saturday, November 25, 2017, 06:00-11:00 (run starts at 07:00)

Where: Zhongzheng Riverside Park, New Taipei City

Groups: 5k, 10k, 21k (no age limit for 5k and 10k, age 16+ for 21k)

Registration is open until October 27, 2017: <http://bao-ming.com/eb/www/activity_content.php?activitysn=2518>

More information: learn more about the V-Men campaign at <http://vmen.goh.org.tw/>

2017 Annual General Meeting and New Year Party

Dear Members and Friends of Canada,

The Board of Directors and staff of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce in Taiwan (CCCT) would like to wish you a happy and healthy 2017!

We are pleased to announce that the CCCT will be holding the 2017 Annual General Meeting (AGM) on January 19th. It is our honor to extend an invitation to you to attend our AGM:

Date: Thursday, January 19th, 2017
Time: 6:30pm-9pm
Location: MacKay Room, the Canadian Trade Office in Taipei (CTOT); (6F, No.1 Songzhi Rd.)
Cost: Members-Free; Non-Members: NT $600 (Don’t worry, if you’re not a member yet, or if you need to renew, you can do so at the AGM!)

Register for the AGM here! 

We appreciate the Canadian Trade Office in Taipei for its continuing support to the CCCT and for hosting the CCCT’s AGM in their MacKay Room once again.

2016 has been an extraordinary year for the CCCT as we were able to continue to build our membership and to hold signature events with great success. The 2016 Celebration Canada was very well attended; and with strong support from the CTOT and the MacKay Memorial Hospital, the 2nd Annual MacKay Charity Gala — celebrated jointly with the CTOT’s 30th Anniversary — was a memorable evening for all of our guests.

The CCCT Small Business Committee and the Business Luncheon Committee continued to see strong growth. Looking into 2017, as Canada celebrates the 150th Birthday, the CCCT is planning for more exciting events to celebrate this special year. The CCCT welcomes you to attend the AGM to find out more!

We would also like to take this opportunity to thank our Celebration Canada volunteers—the event wouldn’t be successful without our great volunteers and countless hours of hard work!

Refreshment and drinks will be served. We hope all members and friends of the CCCT can come and join us!

We look forward to seeing you there. Please don’t forget to mark your calendar!

Register for the AGM here!


2017 Directors and Supervisors Nominations

**Note that the current CCCT Directors and Supervisors were voted into a two-year position by our members at our 2016 AGM when CCCT voting members approved the updates to the Articles of Association.

Directors

  1. Carrie Kellenberger, Reach To Teach Consultants
  2. Jenny Kuo, Joyear Construction
  3. Jean Christophe Guedon, HESS International
  4. John Kellenberger, Reach To Teach Consultants
  5. Anthony van Dyck, O3 Fitness Taiwan
  6. Miriam Smith, Dolls Model
  7. Shannon Watson. Quantum International
  8. Josh Yang, Able International

Supervisors

  1. David Bostwick, Canadian Trade Office in Taipei
  2. Leo Seewald, Blackrock
  3. Kenny Peng, PE PharmEng International

Nominees

  1. Jenna Robinette, Meimeiwawa Multimedia
  2. Brandon Thompson, ADOGA
  3. Augustine Chen, JP Morgan

 


2016 CCCT Committees

Business Lunch Committee
Chair: Anthony van Dyck
Committee Members: David Bostwick, Shannon Watson, Augustine Chen

Celebration Canada Committee
Chair: Miriam Smith
Committee Members: David Bostwick, Anthony van Dyck, Leo Seewald, Carrie Kellenberger, Brandon Thompson, Steven Clark

Cemetery Committee
Co-Chairs: Anthony van Dyck and Pierre Loisel (Sr.)
Committee Members: Leo Seewald, Pierre Loisel Junior

Communication Committee
Chair: Carrie Kellenberger
Committee Members: Jenna Robinette, Anthony van Dyck, Augustine Chen

MacKay Gala Committee
Chair: Jean Christophe Guedon and Jenny Kuo
Committee Members: Carrie Kellenberger, David Bostwick, Leo Seewald, Shannon Watson, and Kenny Peng

Membership Committee
Chair: Jean Christophe Guedon and Shannon Watson
Committee Members: Carrie Kellenberger

Small Business Committee
Co-Chairs: John Kellenberger and Josh Yang
Committee Members: Carrie Kellenberger, Jenna Robinette,  Joe O’Brien, Sean M. King, Alex Chun-Long Chen

Dragons’ Chamber Taiwan
Chair: John Kellenberger
Committee Members: Carrie Kellenberger, Jenna Robinette, Elias Ek, Sean M. King, Alex Chun-Long Chen, Miriam Smith

 

E-Commerce in Taiwan (Event Recap)

Date & Time: Friday, 6th May 8pm-10pm
Venue: Beer & Cheese Social House
Topic: eCommerce in Taiwan
Admission: Members FREE, Non-members $NT200

The CCCT’s Small Business Committee (SBC) invites you to attend our next presentation and discussion night on Friday, May 6th, 2016 at 8pm at Beer & Cheese Social House.

There will be a few short presentations for individuals interested in operating their own e-commerce business in Taiwan. Please join us, learn something, contribute something, and meet some cool people.

After presentations from our guest speakers, who are all knowledgeable and successful expat entrepreneurs in the e-commerce industry, there will be a Q&A and open discussion.

Our guest panel is:

*Mr. Anthony van Dyck, Founder of Taiwanease.com*Taiwanease 300x250
Originally a highly acclaimed magazine, Taiwanease was officially re-launched as an independent website on September 1st, 2012.

Since then, Taiwanease has grown to be the largest website of its kind in Taiwan, with bustling forums, classified ads, magazine articles, “how-to” guides, and a an island-wide directory with complementary smartphone app.

*Mr. Jake Morrison, Owner of Cogini*
For the past 10 years Jake Morrison has been running Cogini, a consulting company that helps entrepreneurs and startups build products.cogini-logo-name

He works them to define the product strategy and features, then builds the product, serving as their long term technical partner. Over the years, he has built dozens of custom e-commerce websites and mobile applications.

*Mr. Ofa Hsueh, Knowledge Keeper, Archilife Research Foundation; Consultant, Digital Movie Create Club, NTU*
Ofa has diverse experience in IT field as a programmer, hacker, manager and COO. He also travels between Silicon Valley Ofa Hsuehand Taiwan to develop his own start-ups philosophies. Mr. Hsueh will be talking about payment systems, including an overview of FinTech, why FinTech matters for eCommerce, and tips for building a modern eCommerce platform in Taiwan.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Working in the Education Industry in Taiwan (Event Recap)

A few weeks ago, the CCCT Small Business Committee had another Taiwan Small Business Network event, aimed at presenting some deep background and top tips for expats interested in starting an education based business.Tribeca Taipei

It was a really successful event, thanks, of course, to our enlightened speakers, and to enthusiastic participation by the attendees. Many thanks to TRIBECA for hosting their second small business event with the Canadian Chamber of Commerce in Taiwan. We truly appreciate your support and patronage!

Our first speaker was Brian Hockertz, CEO of Oh! Study Education Group. Brian is a very long-term Taiwan expat, having worked for the Canadian Trade Office in Taiwan even before Taipei 101 existed! Going from heading the education department at the CTOT, Brian went on to open his own successful educational consultancy for Taiwanese students bound for overseas study, first in Canada, then also in the USA, and now worldwide.Oh Study-2016

Brian shared with us the distillation of his business experience in Taiwan, presented as points of advice:

  1. Respect your core competency. Stay focused and committed to the thing you do best;
  2. Go local, that’s where your market is;
  3. Keep clean books, because your business competitors will try and get you audited, if you actually start making any money;
  4. Standardize your operations as if it were a franchise. That’s called efficiency and it’s much easier to train staff in this kind of system;
  5. Be one of the top 5 companies in Taiwan the world at what you do. Be world class, and you will get customers;
  6. You might very well be copied, so keep innovating.

Thanks Brian for your business bushido!

Carleen's English SchoolNext Carleen Emma, founder and owner of Carleen’s English School, a mid-sized children’s cram school in Neihu, told us about her experiences starting and growing her now-successful business. And, wow! What a story!

Carleen talked about the financial tightrope she walked, the constant struggle with surprise costs and revenue slumps, and the big risk she took when she bought out a larger location. But running her business wasn’t just about money: She also very frankly told us about the tough times when she was teaching classes with her infant daughter strapped to her body, and about the deep connection she had with the local community achieved by protecting and educating their children, listening to their concerns, and being a positive part of the scene day by day, month by month, year by year.

A great origin story with a happy ending!

Thanks Carleen!

Our next presentation was from Bob MacLeod. Bob became a partner with Rick France, who is the founder of ACES. For those of you unfamiliar with the brand, ACES is the top franchise in Taiwan of a business model that was formerly called “hardcore foreign-run buxiban”.Aces English School

The model is of an expat-owned cram school hires (reasonably) bilingual foreign teachers to do very focused and disciplined classes where words and sentence patterns in English are directly translated into Mandarin. Each class has an aggressive pace, and the students’ mothers are often seated at the back of the room, helping to motivate both student and teacher. ACES teachers get quite decent pay if they build up their skills and class size, and stay with the school for many years. There are now 13 branches in Taiwan.

Bob’s talk was mainly about how he came to Taiwan with a strong background in education, looking for an education-based business opportunity. He found out about ACES, and partnered on a new school in Hsintien, which has become a success. Opportunities are out there if you are sharp enough to see them!

Brief takeaway from his starting a business in Taiwan experience: Always overestimate your expenses.

Cheers Bob!

Last but not least, Joel Laughrin, owner of Guidelines International English Academy, and Professional Support Leader, Asia Pacific Cambridge English, gave a great talk. Joel explained the benefits to all stakeholders – parents, teachers, students and schools – of having a professional third-party independent language ability assessment. Especially, of course, when that system comes from Cambridge University, a global leader in EFL.

Takeaway: if you can be involved at an ownership level in a respected global EFL brand in Taiwan, your business will likely have decent growth potential over time. Quality pays off.

Thank you Joel!

We look forward to seeing you at our next event at CODA. We have guest speakers that will be talking about their experience operating your own sporting business in Taiwan. Come and check it out!

Operating Your Own Sporting Business in Taiwan (Recap)

Our event at CODA on April 8th, Operating Your Own Sporting Business in Taiwan, was another success. Thanks very much to our expert speakers!

First, Kathleen Batchelor talked about her journey that took her to being a successful Taipei instructor of Zumba, a globally-popular aerobic dance exercise program that incorporates Latino dance styles and hip hop.Kathleen Batchelor

After dabbling in ballet and burlesque, she says she was hooked after her first Zumba class. After her Zumba instructor left Taiwan, she stepped in and took over the class, soon thereafter receiving her official certification as an instructor. She now has hundreds of students, and is well on her way to leaving ESL teaching completely behind.

Persistence and skill were part of it, but she claims her success is mainly based on Free Electrifying Joy! Anyone can succeed if they follow their true passion.

Thanks for the inspiration Kathleen!

nigelandersonSecond, we heard from Nigel Anderson, owner of the Scubar in Fulong Beach, where in addition to providing food and beer, he takes divers out to sites on the North East Coast. He starts his trainees at the Taipei Songshan Sports Center pool, a step he says is essential for safety.

A licensed PADI instructor, Nigel says that it was always his dream to be a business owner. So when he had an opportunity to buy the Fubar (a popular foreign-owned restaurant in Fulong), he jumped at the chance.

Nigel had gone diving in Canada’s Vancouver Island, Okinawa, Australia and Thailand. But when he first started diving in Taiwan, in Longdong, he was taken aback by the limited number of dive sites that led to massive overcrowding. So he and his crew went exploring and found lots of good coral – 32 new sites, to be exact.

Now business is good, and he has signed on with the big new Fullon hotel in Fulong. But problems remain: he still gets flack from fishermen who think that scuba divers scare away all the fish. And his relationship with his landlord went south when he asked for an upgraded electrical connection. However, his drive to explore has helped him bring his business dream to life. Thumbs up, mate!

Next, Shawn McClelland gave a talk. Shawn is a successful serial entrepreneur whose startup credits include Luxy, OMNI nightclub, the Green Room, and MIT English Schools. One of his big current projects is 03 Fitness Taipei, which has top-quality modern equipment and innovative fitness programs that incorporate boxing, kicking, yoga, interval training and more. o3-logo

One of Shawn’s main points was that selecting business partners is of the utmost importance. Not only is it essential to share a clear vision with partners, it is also crucial to enumerate any troublesome situations that might come up and have a clear plan for them in black and white. People can have a very different sense of fairness, especially if they are “sweat equity” partners – those who contribute something other than money, such as skill or contacts, to the business. If you don’t have a clear system for dealing with possible disputes, there can be grief, so always have an exit strategy.

Shawn also said that the legal requirements for owning a gym are quite onerous, especially regarding obligations toward clients. So get a good lawyer to write up your contracts, but don’t automatically trust them to do their best for you. You yourself are responsible for making sure you get contract terms that protect your interests.

Last but not least, he mentioned that it is useful to use group cohesion to keep customers engaged. Get some class spirit going so members will nag each other into not missing classes. This is good not only for your business, but helps satisfy your clients’ fitness goals as well.

Next, Tomasz Hasinski of Runivore gave a great presentation. “Eat Superfoods and Run!” is Runivore’s moto, and the company Runivoresells nutritious Chia seeds and Chia-based food products. Their company was created by three runners, who found that their middle-aged bodies weren’t up to the demands of 100k runs powered by burgers and fries alone! Like Shawn McClelland, Tomasz discussed the importance of finding the right partners and having a dispute resolution system. For them it is usually based on going on a run together after an argument! But they also have scheduled “airing out” meetings on a regular basis to keep things real.

He also emphasized the importance of quality: never take any shortcuts when it comes to quality. It took them a while to find the right clean and safe manufacturer for their Chia seed bars, but they did: one that also produced for Starbucks and hospitals.

The company is in the midst of expanding to Hong Kong, Singapore and Thailand. Good luck guys, and thanks for sharing!

Last but not least, we heard from Andrew Lunman, creator of CODA, Bongos, Forkers, and other successful restaurants in Taipei. This was Andrew’s farewell to the CCCT Small Business Network, as he is returning to Canada, and it was a sad one for all concerned. Andrew’s experience and community spirit has been a driving force for the Small Business Network. His last message was that it was a real pleasure to him to see so many expats with creative ideas. His final official words to the expat small business community, regarding any small business plan they might have: “Go ahead and do it! Do it!”

The Legacy of George Leslie Mackay

One of Taiwan’s best known and most loved expats was a Canadian man from Zorra Township in Oxford County, Canada, which is now known as the Province of Ontario.

His name was George Leslie Mackay and he was the first Presbyterian missionary to visit Formosa (Qing-era Taiwan). He arrived in Southern Taiwan on December 31, 1871 and began his life in Tamshui (Danshui) in northern Formosa in early 1872. He remained in Tamshui for 30 years until his death in 1901.

Mackay had the honor of being the first missionary to be dispatched by the Presbyterian Church of Canada. His mission was to bring the gospel to those who had not heard of Christ.

My commission is clear; I hold it from the King and Head of the church: …To get the gospel of the grace of God into the minds and hearts of the heathen, and when converted to build them up in their faith – that was my purpose in going to Formosa.” (Mackay p. 135)

Right from the very beginning, Mackay was known to avoid the small European community in the Tamshui area. The local European and Christian communities did not take well to his arrival. Moreover, the environment during that era was somewhat hostile for foreigners. Mackay was often labelled as a ‘foreign devil’ and a ‘black-bearded barbarian’, and the locals were reluctant to become involved with him.

Shortly after arriving he wrote:

“I am shut out from fellowship with Christian brethren, yet I am not lonely nor alone. I feel my weakness, my sinfulness, my unfaithfulness. I feel sad when I look around and see nothing but idolatry … I can as yet tell little about Jesus, and with stammering tongue. What can I do? Nothing; But, blessed thought, the Lord Jesus can do all things. .. Jehovah is my refuge and strength.” (Mackay p 18-19)

Since Mackay had no means to speak with his parish, he decided it was of the utmost importance that he learn the language. When he was not able to find a tutor, Mackay spend his time with local herds boys, and they agreed to teach him Taiwanese. He learned vernacular Taiwanese, the language that is spoken by the common people of Taiwan, and it was in this way that he was able to preach his basic gospel message.

Upon mastering Taiwanese, he helped to adapt the Taiwanese language to a written form by adapting the Latin alphabet to represent it phonetically. From then onwards, this style of writing was used by the Presbyterian missionaries and by the indigenous Presbyterian Church of Taiwan.

In addition to learning the local language, Mackay employed a number of different methods to find converts. He preached predominantly with aboriginals in mind, and his earliest converts were illiterate natives. He wasn’t a doctor of medicine, but he had sufficient skills in medicine to be able to provide aid to those who suffered from tropical diseases such as malaria. His most notable method at the time was an itinerant dentistry practice that he used to extract teeth, all while singing and preaching his message. He was eventually granted a honorary doctorate by Queen’s College in Kingston, Canada for his many achievements in Taiwan.

Danshui Foreigners' Cemetery

By 1888, he had 16 chapels and 500 converts among the native Taiwanese.

His marriage to a Taiwanese slave-woman named Tiu Chhang-miâ is also another example of Mackay’s success in going native to find converts. His marriage caused a considerable amount of controversy in Canada and in the foreign community in Formosa. However, his wife, known by the name of Minnie in the West, proved to be a formidable force in the mission. She helped to raise money in Oxford County for the construction of Oxford College in Tamshui, and she also acted as matron of the girls’ school. Their marriage was a happy one, and they had three children together.

In 1895, Dr. Mackay authored a missionary ethnography and memoir of his missionary experience in Taiwan in 1895. His book was called From Far Formosa: the island, its people and missions. It is is best known because of its defense of gender and racial equality, but it is also of importance to many historians and scholars because it lends an important anthropological understanding of Taiwan’s peoples and cultures during the nineteenth century in Taiwan.

Dr. Mackay is responsible for many incredible achievements in Taiwan, including the establishment of churches, schools, the first western medical hospital of its kind in Taiwan, and a dentistry practice for aboriginals. The churches that he founded eventually became part of the present Presbyterian Church in Taiwan.

Although Dr. Mackay achieved many incredible milestones during his lifetime in Taiwan, perhaps his most significant achievement was the building of the MacKay Memorial Hospital, which was established on December 26, 1912. It is one of the largest medical centers in Taiwan, and it is deeply rooted in the Presbyterian tradition.

The original Mackay Hospital was initially called Mackay Clinic, and it was built in Tamshui in 1880. The hospital was closed in 1901 at the time of Dr. Mackay’s death, but it reopened in 1905 and it was eventually relocated from Tamshui to Taipei in 1912. The hospital was renamed as the Mackay Memorial Hospital.

Mackay showed great love and pride for Taiwan and because of his achievements, he was eventually loved by Taiwanese and expats alike. Some families in Taiwan today, especially of lowland aboriginals of the Kavalan ancestry, can trace their surname to ‘偕’ (‘Kai’ or ‘Kay’), which not only demonstrates their love and respect for Dr. Mackay, but it also shows their family’s conversion to Christianity by Mackay.Mackay and wife grave

Dr. Mackay was one of those rare individuals who allowed himself to be transformed by the people he served, and his life is truly something to be celebrated. Taiwan would not be what it is today without George Leslie Mackay’s significant contributions.

He dedicated his life to bringing medical, dental, and spiritual guidance to the people of Taiwan, and was directly responsible for establishing more than 60 local churches, Oxford College (Aletheia University), the first girls’ school (Tamsui Girls’ School on the east side of Oxford College in 1884), and Tamsui Middle School, which is now known as Tamkang Senior High School.

Mackay might be unknown to most Western scholars of religion, but in Taiwan he is revered as Taiwan’s most famous ‘native son’. His story and memoir provide valuable insight into his life, background, and legacy, as well as the Taiwanese cultural background in which he worked. His lifetime achievements are a true demonstration to his love for Taiwan and its people.

How dear is Formosa to my heart! On that island the best of my years have been spent.
How dear is Formosa to my heart! A lifetime of joy is centered here.
I love to look up to its lofty peaks, down into its yawning chasms, and away out on its surging seas.
How willing I am to gaze upon these forever!
My heart’s ties to Taiwan cannot be severed! To that island I devote my life.
My heart’s ties to Taiwan cannot be severed! There I find my joy.
I should like to find a final resting place within sound of its surf and under the shade of its waving bamboo.
-“My Final Resting Place” by George Mackay

Event Recap: Working in the Entertainment Industry in Taiwan

Event Recap: Friday, 15th January 8-10pm at DV8 Pub

We had a great event a few Fridays ago at DV8: excellent speakers and solid support from our hosts Gary O’Connor and Stephen Hepples, as well as the entire DV8 staff. Thanks also to Chef Jason for the good food!

Our first speaker was Elias Ek, founder of B2B sales and marketing firm Enspyre. Elias talked about the Foreign Entrepreneur’s Workshop on January 28th, in cooperation with the City of Taipei Department of Economic Development.

The workshop (there was an earlier one on November 30) will provide a space for foreign entrepreneurs to share their frustrations with local government officials, in the interest of reforming government policy over time. In addition, expat small business people can also learn how to apply for grants and subsidies to start or grow their businesses.

Then we had three speakers who presented on the ins and outs of being an expat entertainment worker in Taiwan:

First, we had Mr. Brook Hall, Managing Artistic Director at The Lab Space. Brook gave the packed room a run down on his long career in Taiwan. He said it took him years and years to get comfortably established, and encouraged anyone interested in acting to contact him to get more info on how The Lab Space can help them. The LAB Space on Facebook.

Contact Brook
Email:bfly.efx@gmail.com
Tel:  02-28985382

Second, we had Mr. Daniel T, of the Foreign Students Club. Daniel spoke mainly about being a model and actor in Taiwan, and gave useful tips about working with agencies. If you are interested in modeling or the Foreign Students Club (which aims to help foreign students have the best possible experience in Taiwan) you can contact Daniel through the FSIT Facebook page.

Last but not least, DJ Marcus Aurelius described his journey as a DJ (plus writer, actor etc.) in Taiwan. Among several great take-aways was this: Don’t burn your bridges! He said that he had previously had issues with Frog in a Sock, but now they are working together in harmony. Take the long-term view and grow positive relationships!

After his speech, Marcus went on to DJ for the rest of the evening, laying down some great tunes for the convivial after-party. Want to contact Marcus? Find DJ Marcus Aurelius on Facebook or email him at DJMarcusA@gmail.com.

Stay tuned for more fun and useful events by the CCCT Small Business Committee!

Photographer: Josh Yang – Visit the CCCT Small Business Network Facebook album for event photos.