Grandpa Huang, Tzu-Ching

Name¡G

Huang, Tzu-Ching

Origin of ancestors¡G

JiangShi

Age¡G

76

Occupation¡G

none
 

¡§I've already lived in Taiwan for almost sixty years, deeply taking root here; it's become my hometown already.¡¨

 

Grandpa Huang's place is not easy to find. It's beside the hill, where cannot be reached by car but walking. Looking around, there are flat houses with narrow lanes scattering against the slope, one by one. The house is surrounded by mountains, and its key feature¡Xlots of graves!

In 1930's, the war of resistance against Japanese aggression began when grandpa Huang was just a child. He was supposed to enter school at eight but delayed to his ten years old, with only two months study after entrance. He really attended school during 1941~1945. Grandpa Huang also told us that 95% of people in his hometown were illiterate. With only four years of education, he was the teacher for the illiterates. We were surprised that we could be the teachers back to the old days. Grandpa Huang said ¡§this was our childhood.¡¨

¡§How did grandpa Huang join the army?¡¨ we're all curious. Teachers told us in the class that there were two possibilities at that time¡Xsome volunteered, and some was forced. After asking, we knew that grandpa Huang was a miner at a tungsten ore processing factory for exportation. Some bandit spies initiated labor strike, and then the factor couldn't continue. ¡§The communism just entered the town¡¨, grandpa remembered and said, ¡§ so I followed the security troop and came to Taiwan .¡¨

¡§Was anyone forced to join the army? At what age?¡¨ Andy asked the details.

The reply was: seventeen or eighteen, even younger if looked taller, which was scary! Thank God that we were not born at that time. ¡§I was only seventeen,¡¨ grandpa Huang said with a laugh, and he looked much younger with his laugh, ¡§because my relative made an false report of my age, two years younger, so I was able to follow the troop.¡¨

After arriving Taiwan , the troop was dismissed, and I must live on my own. Later, grandpa Huang passed the entrance exam to join the gendarme troop. He was allocated to his unit after training for seventy years till retirement.

Feature of grandpa Huang¡¦s house¡Xmany graves nearby!
 
Interviewing grandpa Huang
 
Take pictures together at grandpa Huang¡¦s house
 
Narrow lanes in front of grandpa Huang¡¦s house

¡§Has grandpa Huang ever gone back to China ? If yes, why not live there, but stay in Taiwan ?¡¨ Jessie asked.

¡§I've already lived in Taiwan for almost sixty years, deeply taking rook here; it's become my hometown already, why should I go back?¡¨ grandpa Huang replied affirmatively.

¡§Why does grandpa Huang live here?¡¨ Angle asked.

Grandpa Huang said that the house was originally used for feeding pigs. It was extremely low. The owner no longer needed it and he bought it from the owner and renovated several times. There were graves at three sides and not many houses around. ¡§I'm okay with that. So I live here since then.¡¨ (We feel horrified and respect grandpa Huang's courage of living here for so long.)

¡§I was the first to live here, and there's no water and no electricity,¡¨ grandpa Huang said, ¡§after I moved in the water and utility, there are more than forty households now.¡¨ Jessie asked him with curiosity that whether grandpa Huang feel scary due to the graves. He replied without a second thought, ¡§No, I was used to it.¡¨

We chatted about the daily life. Grandpa Huang told us that his eldest son has to drop the school and join the army due to lack of financial support, so as his two daughters, which made grandpa and grandma Huang feel sad. In addition, grandma Huang spent a lot on medical treatments, which makes their life even worse. Also, he doesn't own the house; it might be torn down after the New Year. They don't have money to buy one, and have no idea how to go through this. Grandpa was in tears now, and we felt sorry for him. Wish the authority can give them a hand.

After this interview, we realized that our life is much better than many people and we should cherish that. I resolved that I have to help those who need help when I grow up.

     

Culture