Every child’s growth requires companionship. True companionship goes beyond holding their hands—it means knowing when to step back so they can move forward with courage, carrying blessings and confidence into every milestone of life. In celebration of the Taipei Xia-Hai City God’s birthday, the Mai's Hsin Tung Yang Foundation invited junior and senior high school students from the Xingfu Children’s Home to Dadaocheng. Combining a cultural walking tour, artisan workshops, and independent exploration, the journey introduced the youth to the historic district's local beliefs and traditional heritage, allowing them to present their own handmade offerings to the City God who has protected the community for over a century.

Co-organized by the Mai's Hsin Tung Yang Foundation and Xingfu Children’s Home, the "Fragrant Offering Day" brought 11 secondary school students and three social workers from Yilan to Taipei’s Dadaocheng to participate in the annual City God Birthday Festival. This year, the Foundation handed full leadership of the itinerary over to the youth. With a budget capped at NT$600 per person, participants split into boys' and girls' groups to design their own exploration routes. From transportation and budgeting to meal planning and role delegation—such as project coordinator, finance manager, and photographer—every decision was discussed and executed by the students. Free from rigid tour formats, the outing felt as relaxed as visiting family, allowing the children to discover the stories of the City God and the cultural landscape of Dadaocheng through casual walks and conversations.

The day began with Hsin Tung Yang’s signature "Pork Floss Workshop." The children roasted and stirred pork floss by hand, mastering heat control and patient stirring while experiencing the dedication behind traditional craftsmanship. A-Hsun (pseudonym), a student from Xingfu Children’s Home, shared excitedly: "I had no idea this is how pork floss is made—it smells amazing! And I did a great job; not a single bit burned!" Once finished, they packaged their freshly roasted pork floss as ceremonial birthday offerings and visited the Taipei Xia-Hai City God Temple to offer their respects, praying for health, safety, and courage as they grow.

During the temple visit, the Foundation guided the students in paying respects to the deities in traditional order, explaining the cultural role of the City God in protecting the community, the intricate embroidery on the ceremonial robes, and Generals Xie and Fan, who symbolize loyalty and protection. When a festival procession featuring Generals Xie and Fan passed by, the children eagerly gathered to watch. Observing the ceremonial robes and learning about the folklore of the Seventh and Eighth Lords gave the youth a deeper appreciation of how local heritage is passed down across generations to preserve communal memories.

After the ceremony, the children set off on their self-guided exploration of Dihua Street. Backpacks on and itineraries in hand, they managed every step independently—from navigation and budgeting to teamwork. Watching them coordinate their plans was deeply moving for the Foundation team; the young children who once needed hand-holding were now supporting one another, making collective decisions, and stepping out into the world with confidence. Along the way, the students exchanged gifts, sharing ox-tongue biscuits brought from Yilan, while the Foundation and staff offered Dadaocheng cheesecake, savory sticky rice, maltose candies, and xian-guang-bing (traditional salty cakes exclusive to the City God festival), ensuring the children returned home with both warm hospitality and the flavors of local culture.

Teacher Lin from Xingfu Children’s Home shared: "Thank you for hosting us today. The children had a wonderful time and felt genuinely embraced and cared for."

An accompanying Hsin Tung Yang employee, Chien, added: "Instead of packing the day with structured classes, it felt like taking a walk with family. Roasting pork floss together, paying respects to the City God, and exploring Dadaocheng naturally brought us closer. As we celebrated the deity's birthday, we also offered our silent blessings to each growing child, hoping they carry this warmth and courage into their futures."

Growth does not happen overnight; it unfolds through continuous trust and companionship. The Mai's Hsin Tung Yang Foundation believes that culture should be lived rather than just preserved, and that education thrives when practical experience builds personal identity. Moving forward, the Foundation will continue integrating cultural heritage, food-and-farming education, public welfare, and community engagement—guiding more children to connect with their roots and build confidence through genuine human connections. May every child walk confidently toward their own future, supported by the blessings of the City God and the care of society.

Every moment of companionship and every heartfelt blessing can become a lasting source of warmth and strength in a child’s life.