The second generation of Indonesian new immigrants - Fan Dai Yu loves & documents indigenous cultures

In cooperation with IC Voice FM97.5 【New Students Registration-We are in Taiwan】, a series of exciting stories about new immigrants in Taiwan is launched. This episode features the second generation of Indonesian new immigrants, Fan Dai Yu (范代郁).

Fan was once a substitute civilian serviceman in the Ren'ai Elementary School (仁愛國小) located in the Wushe District, Renai Township, Nantou County. During the one-year service, he unleashed his potential and took photos of the lives of indigenous children in the school, and this makes him fall in love with the indigenous cultures. Besides, he also taught children basic photography skills.

【Taiwan Immigrants' Global News Network】presents this episode in 5 languages including Chinese, English, Vietnamese, Thai and Indonesian, enabling more readers and listeners to explore Fan Dai Yu’s experience and his wonderful journey.

Read More: ‘Speak Heart through Paintings – Picture book creation with linguistic pluralism’ convey new immigrants’ sincere emotions

Fan devoted himself to teaching in rural areas. (Photo / Provided by Fan Dai Yu)

Fan reminisces about his past experience serving as a substitute civilian serviceman. Seeing the innocent and cute faces of the children in the tribes, he was motivated to study for a teaching license in Taiwan and reside in a remote town.

The most memorable thing to him is that the graduating class of elementary school donned folk costumes and traveled to Ngungu dgiyaq silung (白石山). A dancing and singing ritual to ask for ancestor spirits’ blessings was presented to him, which made him feel moved. To him, photos not only document stories but also make people feel energized.

Read More: Filipino new immigrant, Gen Huang, bridges the gap between Taiwanese & Filipino cultures through heartwarming projects

Fan uses photography to document tribal life. (Photo / Provided by Fan Dai Yu)

In addition to integrating into the indigenous culture, Fan also helped indigenous students take graduation photos and used them for a charitable cause. However, he found that ‘Unity is Strength’, and therefore he joined the ‘Taiwan Children’s Photography Education & Promotion Association’ and ‘Rural Students’ Dreams & Public Welfare Association’. Together with fellow friends, they went to remote towns to volunteer as volunteer photographers as well as made donations. It is hoped that kindness and generosity will be passed down in the future.

Fan is a Special Assistant of Indigenous Resource Center of the National Taichung University of Education. (Photo / Provided by Fan Dai Yu)

Fan, as a Special Assistant of Indigenous Resource Center of the National Taichung University of Education, promotes indigenous cultures in the campus as well as organizing supplementary courses and reading clubs for indigenous students.

Although he is the second generation of Indonesian new immigrants, he has a strong passion for indigenous cultures and is willing to work overtime during weekends just to support indigenous students on the campus.

In addition, Fan shared that he only realized his mother is an Indonesian new immigrant when he was in the 6^th grade of elementary school.

Therefore, he also participated in the ‘New Second Generation Chat Room: Sandwich in the Family’ organized by the New Second Generation Organization. What is the most impressive is that through participating in this activity, he has a better understanding of his family members.