Association members pose with Michael Jackson fans following an activity at an orphanage in Tainan City.
(Photos courtesy of Sophie Lin)
Michael Jackson fans in Taiwan have formed a charitable association to carry on the spirit of the pop star’s philanthropy.
Although the entertainer died in 2009, there are still more than 100 Jackson fan clubs in Taiwan. The new organization, which is registered with the Ministry of the Interior, has not officially launched yet, but already has 40-plus members, according to founding member Sophie Lin, lecturer at a local polytechnic institute. Members come from all walks of life, including university lecturers, housewives, publishing house employees, tea farmers and lawyers.
The idea behind the organization is to put Jackson’s humanitarian vision to “heal the world” into practice by organizing and participating in charitable social activities, Lin said.
Members have already lectured on environmental protection and recycling at orphanages in Hualien, Taichung and Tainan, as well as donating supplies. They also provided materials last summer for courses for underprivileged students at Zhongliao Elementary School in central Taiwan’s Nantou County.
Future plans include summer courses for children in remote areas, beach and forest cleanup activities, reading groups and the provision of humanitarian aid for disaster victims, the homeless and disadvantaged children.
“Michael’s sincerity and concern for others is what moves us,” fan Carrie P. Huang said. Jackson’s example motivated her to volunteer for World Vision Taiwan, she said, while another devotee learned to draw in order to create a children’s book with Jackson as the main character.
A group of fans also got together following Typhoon Morakot in 2009 to raise money for disaster relief in Jackson’s name, according to Huang.
Although Jackson is gone, his fans want to keep his concern for others, especially children, alive. (THN)
翻譯：林舒霏
台灣的MJ粉絲組織了一個慈善團體，以延續這位流行樂巨星的大愛善行。
雖然麥可已於2009年往生，但在台灣的麥迷粉絲團仍有超過100個。這個向內政部申請立案的新社團，雖還未正式設立，但根據任職於技術學院的發起人Sophie表示，已有40幾位成員加入。而成員來自各行各業，包括大學講師、家庭主婦、出版社人員、茶農、律師。
Sophie表示，協會的緣起，是將麥可Heal the World的人道精神與願景，組織起來，以實際行動回饋社會。
成員們曾於花蓮、台中、台南育幼院舉辦過環保講座，以及一些捐助。在去年暑假並集資購買物資，援助南投中寮國小參與暑期輔導的弱勢學童。
未來計畫包含偏遠地區學童暑期課輔、淨灘與淨化山林、讀書會、災民、遊民、弱勢孩童人道關懷等。
小梓說，是麥可的純真與愛心感動了大家。麥可的榜樣啟發她成為台灣世界展望會的志工。而另一位麥迷則發奮學畫，要畫出以麥可為主角的兒童繪本。
小梓表示，2009年莫拉克風災時，一群麥迷還以麥可為名發起風災勸募資金。
Members celebrate the founding of the charitable association Dec. 31, 2012
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