[3170] PCT indigenous center hopes to transform indigenous communities’ views and attitudes on marriage

PCT indigenous center hopes to transform indigenous communities’ views and attitudes on marriage

Reported by Simon Lin

Written by Lydia Ma

Divorce rates in Taiwan have climbed in recent years and people’s views on marriage have become distorted. This trend in urban areas has also impacted marriages in remote indigenous villages. PCT Indigenous Development Center in Taitung pointed out that though Taitung is known as the place that grows the best sugar-apples, it is also known as the region with the highest divorce rate. According to statistics, Taitung had the highest number of divorce cases in Taiwan in April 2012 and the high number of teen pregnancies there is also disturbing. To promote good marriages and share good examples of marriages, the Indigenous Development Center has held a “Marriage Day” every year. This year’s “Marriage Day” was held on November 22.

One Indigenous Development Center staff told Taiwan Church News that many couples in indigenous villages have been faithful to their wedding vows and have enjoyed great marriages. Thus, being faithful in marriage is a conviction that can be fostered and recreated as long as people have role models that they can follow. Indigenous communities need to see that there are many good marriages still in existence for them to persevere. When good values are reinforced in this manner, communities will be transformed little by little and their values will align with God’s intended plan for marriage. This is the hope and vision of the Indigenous Development Center.

On November 22, the Indigenous Development Center invited 7 couples who had been married between 37 to 60 years to share their thoughts on marriage. These couples come from different tribes, such as Rukai, Amis, and Bunun. Some of them said that they relied on prayer to have good marriages. Others said that their marriages were transformed when they gave their lives to Christ. Still others shared about how they had tried to have normal, conflict-free lives. All of these stories were heartwarming and some passersby even stopped to find shade under a tree in order to listen.

Indigenous Development Center gave each of these 7 couples a wedding ring and Happy Home Alliance in Taiwan gave provided them each with a crystal plaque. The couples were later taken to a famous local restaurant and treated to a romantic meal. For elderly indigenous couples treated on that day, such a meal was a rare experience.

Model couples received a plaque and a ring as commendation.

Photo provided by Indigenous Development Center