Continuing the Mission: Re-launching the Vulnerable Families Energy Welfare Service Program
In the past, Power to Change by DOMI Earth has collaborated with the Taipei City Environmental Protection Bureau to assist in replacing traditional fluorescent lights in vulnerable families' homes with environmentally friendly and energy-saving LED lights, part of the Power to Change Energy Prosperity Project. While promoting energy conservation and carbon reduction, this initiative also reduced the households' electricity bills, providing them with a warmer and brighter environment—a mission that has deeply resonated with many.
We initiated a partnership with the Fundacion Paraguaya to develop the "Poverty Stoplight" energy poverty traffic light assessment system. While replacing lights for disadvantaged families, we also interact with them using simple red, yellow, and green questions to identify the true causes of their poverty. After all, there are many reasons for poverty, and only by addressing the right factors can we truly change their lives.
Over the past year, our continuous advocacy has garnered the support of international non-profit organizations like OXFAM and philanthropic businesses. Thus, we have re-launched the "Vulnerable Families Energy Welfare Service Program," aiming to care for more families whose electricity and fuel expenses exceed 10% of their household income. We light the lamp of hope for these families, leveraging the social benefit from an energy perspective!
Launching the Program with a Flood of Applications
On a sunny morning, we set up a "temporary mail processing factory," turning blank application forms and envelopes into hot-off-the-press letters. Each gardener worked diligently to finish their tasks. Just before the post office closed, we successfully weighed and sent off two heavy bags of letters, hoping like snowflakes they would fly into the homes of the disadvantaged. After all, a letter represents not just a welfare benefit but also a beacon of hope.
Step One: Proactively Reaching Out to Households
After mailing the application forms, we began telephoning households to help them better understand the program and to build a closer relationship. During these calls, we encountered various types of households:
Grateful Appreciation Type: Instantly connecting after our opening remarks, they expressed deep gratitude for our call and looked forward to what was coming.
Acknowledgment Type: They agreed with the program but did not apply due to reasons like rental situations, landlord considerations, pending moves, or having already installed LED lights.
Full of Questions Type: Eager to understand everything about the program, from why we were replacing lights with LEDs to the timing of the installations, they waited for our answers.
Direct Rejection Type: Viewing us like telemarketers or even scammers, despite our explanations, some insisted on or even hung up the phone, leaving us disheartened.
Special Requests Type: Not needing new lights but asking for services like heavy coats, blankets, or house painting, highlighting their dire need for resources.
Overall, when we informed households that this was a charitable program entirely free of charge and addressed all their concerns, many moved from skepticism to acceptance and application. It was truly gratifying to hear them say "yes."
Step Two: Entering Vulnerable Households
Fortunately, Power to Change team, filled with a strong sense of mission, empathy, and attention to detail, traveled back and forth across 12 districts in Taipei City, carrying a van full of love and LED lights.
One day, we visited a single mother's rental studio. Upon entering, we were immediately drawn to the quaint yellow light of her lanterns. The single mother mentioned that the dim lighting had been straining her eyes, making it difficult to see documents or objects clearly.
While an electrician replaced the lights, a gardener listened to the single mother shares her feelings about her child's long-term hospitalization and conducted an electrical safety presentation. After the lights were changed, the electrician also made sure to check the surroundings again, reminding her to plug electrical devices directly into wall sockets rather than extension cords, among other safety tips.
Witnessing the Moment of Transformation, Lighting Up New Hopes
The moment the lights were turned on, the single mother exclaimed, "Wow, it's so bright!" and repeatedly thanked us, overwhelmed with joy.
After we closed the door behind us, it seemed like an end but was actually just the beginning. We hope the brighter environment will bring her light and hope, increasing her quality of life and supporting her to continue living well.
As we visit each vulnerable household, opening each door is like turning the page of a storybook. Sometimes we get to read it to the end, understanding the full background; other times, we only get a few pages in before having to leave. But the common thread is that we see household after household struggling on the margins of society.
How many more families are waiting for us to light up their lives? A strong sense of mission will drive DOMI Earth, and we welcome like-minded individuals to join us. Let's together turn the tide on energy poverty and light up every corner of Taiwan!