Don’t wait for the perfect environment—create one yourself. Taiwanese youth are creative because society is free.

Text & photos /《Obailai Travel Observation Diary》by Tsai Fuda

“Rather than waiting for the environment to give you something, create it with your own hands.” — Jiaming. Just like the youth from Hualien and Taitung, who left their hometowns to work elsewhere, only to suddenly realize something after a few years.

“No matter how hard I worked, I was just helping those wealthy business owners get richer. And my hometown? At first, like many others, I thought there were no job opportunities here, so I went away to make a living. But then what? The youth population left, and I became one of the contributors to an environment with no opportunities.” Jiaming said as he brewed coffee. “So I decided to return home and rally some people. No opportunities? Then let’s create them ourselves.”

Yuli is located between Hualien and Taitung, and its development has been overshadowed by these two major tourist counties. Many visitors just pass through, at most trying the famous Yuli noodles or Qiaotou stinky tofu, then leaving without staying longer. “I wanted to bring something to this place, but when I first returned, I also faced practical life issues. I hadn’t yet figured out what to do, and since I studied education, I started by working as a special education teacher at a school. After a few years, I got reacquainted with my hometown and came up with the idea to start ‘Our Old House Café.’”

“That sounds super interesting. What was your philosophy behind creating this place?”

Jiaming: “The name ‘Our’ tells you that this place belongs to everyone, not just me. Everyone can be the owner here. This place can be called a bar, a café, a backpacker inn, or a performance space—it doesn’t matter. Most importantly, it’s a ‘platform’ where anything can happen and be created. But the key is, ‘this place will reconnect people with Yuli.’”

“How do you reconnect people?” I asked skeptically.

“I returned home to give back to the local community and inject new energy here, so that young people will come back. Actually, we now work with farmers under contract farming agreements, so they have to grow crops in environmentally friendly ways that we hope for. We also help them find sales channels and market their products, connecting various local industries. I wouldn’t say we’re nurturing them, but we’re definitely doing things differently. For any part of the process that local youth can design and execute, we try to put them in the lead. You have to give them a chance to prove themselves—the grass isn’t always greener on the other side, and facts have proven us right.”

“Your background in education doesn’t seem very related to what you’re doing now?”

“Doesn’t it? I think it’s quite relevant. Education is everywhere. Communicating with farmers, changing some fixed ideas, guiding them to try more possibilities—isn’t that also education?”

“Actually, I also teach some dropouts here how to mix drinks, make coffee, and handle food and beverage service. Many of these students aren’t treated well—they’re all seen as people who gave up on themselves, but I don’t think so. It’s the environment that labeled them, denying them opportunities to try and learn. They feel disappointed, drinking and smoking. So I thought: if they’re going to drink anyway, I’ll teach them how to ‘drink properly.’ Alcohol can be paired with tea, or even with coffee—for example, Viennese coffee contains alcohol. Instead of forbidding them, why not give them the right knowledge and let them gain a skill?”

“Haven’t you faced any difficulties?”

“Yes, of course. Many school teachers came to criticize me, asking why I was giving students alcohol. I found that strange. These students are studying hospitality, but they don’t listen to your classes—they come to me instead. Is the problem with you or with me? At least when they’re here, their learning stays on track, and they don’t go out causing trouble. Maybe some approaches could be adjusted, but do you teachers really know what these students need?”

“This idea of a ‘platform’ really resonates with us. I understand what you’re saying and I strongly agree.”

“I also really hope more people share this philosophy, so it can spread everywhere. Encouraging young people to return, to forge new paths for their hometowns and local communities—‘using the countryside to surround the city.’ People in cities are actually inseparable from rural areas.”

Everyone has the power to drive change—it just depends on whether you’re willing. Interests and expertise may seem unrelated, but all experiences can be connected. Taiwan’s high level of freedom is a fertile ground for boundless creativity. While complaining about the system not allowing certain things, it actually shows just how huge the “opportunities” are.

“Rather than waiting for the environment to give, create it with your own hands.” In addition to promoting local industries, Jiaming does his best to organize events, volunteering to support local sports training for basketball teams, artist development programs, and the Our Good Cycle initiative.