訪問專欄 INTERVIEW｜Lilyth Yu

Daisy：你是在何時、如何得知嚮光，並決定要合作的呢？若是透過朋友介紹得知，嚮光的哪一部分讓你覺得可以試著合作看看呢？

Lilyth：第一次知道嚮光是透過Plants餐廳的Lily，有看過嚮光網站的一些內容，我覺得嚮光在做的事情很有意義，品牌也做的很好。然後很用心的介紹每一個老師，每一次的活動也都會有很棒的文章來分享。我覺得這些理念其實我自己都還蠻喜歡的，因為用純植物的方式走進社區，這是很少見的。

Ｄ：嚮光協會的宗旨或理念中，是否有哪一個部分特別吸引你的呢？請與我們分享你的感受及為什麼覺得這點特別重要。

Ｌ：在嚮光的宗旨中，最吸引我的一定是純植物這一塊。我自己吃素十五年，我一直覺得小朋友的飲食教育是很重要的。如果說他們在小時候就有認識到純素的飲食方式，或是有像嚮光這樣子一個協會，進入社區，進入小朋友的教育階段中，讓他們可以看到原來有一群人他們是用這樣的方法在生活。原來可以用這樣的方式在吃飯，而且吃的更健康，所以我覺得這一部分是最吸引我，也是我覺得你們真的做的很棒的。

Ｄ：在與嚮光合作規劃並執行課程的過程中，你覺得我們與其他你合作過的非營利/營利型組織有什麼不同之處或特別之處是會讓您想再次與我們合作的呢

Ｌ：我覺得大有不同，之前接觸過的其他非營利組織，未必在細節處如此用心。這一次合作便讓我看到嚮光的用心之處，就像無論是給小朋友用的圍裙、包裝的盒子都有嚮光的logo、到在活動前後拍照等等的細節都讓我覺得非常用心。尤其是在活動前會先給一個活動架構讓我們根據此架構把流程排好；也會依照流程一起口頭預演當天可能發生的狀況。至活動當天再按實際情況作出適度調整。也因為有這些事前的安排，整個活動的進行及結果不會有太大的落差。我覺得是很優秀的，而這些優秀背後一定是由一個很細心並重視細節的團隊才能促成的。 

Ｄ：之前有跟孩子們互動或上課的經驗嗎？這次與嚮光合作的課程帶給你什麼不同的感受呢？有什麼感動的時刻或是特別的小故事可以與我們分享呢？

Ｌ：我跟小朋友互動或上課的經驗其實比較少，但記得我剛從大學畢業時，曾當過小朋友的英文家教跟老師。因為我其實不是很會跟小孩子互動的人，會覺得「哇！小朋友太可怕了，太不受控制了！」經過這次活動改變了這個想法，算是治好了我的「小屁孩厭惡症」。

因為我覺得這些小朋友有很多值得學習的地方，尤其是他們有不被框架框住的無限創意；同時我覺得他們是個接收器，他們會將接收到的愛用自己的方式再傳出去。

在上課過程中我被其中一個小朋友所感動，他的個性雖然比較調皮，但細心觀察會發現他也是個很貼心的孩子，他有時還是會不小心透露出他很貼心很想幫忙的樣子，只是他有自己表達愛的方式；在活動中也看到許多不同性格的孩子，有乖巧懂事的、具領導者氣質的等等。他們都與我想像中的「小屁孩」很不一樣，也就是他們打破了我對小朋友的固有印象，讓我看每個小朋友的獨特之處。

Ｄ：感謝老師抽出寶貴的時間參與嚮光遠景計畫，並與青少年們分享您的專業技能。您不僅拓展了孩子們對於職業的想像，也為他們未來的職業生涯路程中下一枚希望的種子，並帶給孩子們正面影響。對於這點，老師有什麼特別的感受或想法想與我們分享的嗎？

Ｌ：我希望小朋友們選擇做對的和自己喜歡的事情，從這些事情中得到使命感，讓自己越來越開心。同時不被體制所束縛，誤認為選擇某些科系就一定需要任職相關工作，而做出讓自己不開心的決定。小朋友應該傾聽自己內心的聲音，問自己未來想成為怎樣的人，並思考和找出成為心目中理想的自己的方法。

另外，對於未來的工作，應做自己覺得有意義的事情。因為我覺得當我們真心的喜歡一件事情，並把它做到極致，自然而然就會吸引到該吸引的人事物；一切都會很順利地朝著我們最終的目標前進，這也是我自己多年來任性地堅持做自己想做的事情的一個體悟。

Ｄ：對想改變這個世界、將世界變得更好的人有什麼建議嗎？

Ｌ：我的建議是不要想著改變這個世界，而是先改變自己，當我們改變自己時，透過自己做的事情去影響別人，也就是用生命影響生命，如此在某種程度上，便自然而然能改變這個世界。

我在香港也正推動相關工作，我們一直希望可以做一個香港的綠色覺醒，因為我老闆他是香港第一個，三十幾年前便提倡吃素，用布尿布等等的人。因此我們想藉此推廣素食生活，以自身覺醒的態度改變他人的生命。我認為這是一個相當重要的觀念：當我們每個人的生命改變了，自然而然其他人也會被改變和影響。

Ｄ：最後，老師有什麼話想對嚮光的孩子們說嗎？

Ｌ：謝謝你們幾個小屁孩治好我的「小屁孩厭惡症」。我真的很開心，如果未來有機會希望能再見到大家，並且是更開心、更不一樣、有所成長的大家！

歡迎來當大朋友志工！

Daisy: How did you come to collaborate with Bright Side Projects this time? If you were introduced via mutual friends, what led you to the decision to work with us?
Lilyth: Lily from Plants in Taipei introduced Bright Side Projects to me. I read up on Bright Side Projects on their website and was impressed by what they were doing and what they stood for. They took time writing introductions for each teacher and really invested time in workshops post reports and selections of images. Being plant-based myself, I liked their ability and creative ideas in getting to know a community by introducing veganism.

D: Is there any part of Bright Side Project’s mission statement or ethos that in particular spoke to you? Why do you feel that it spoke to you and why is it important?
L: Among the mission of Bright Side, the one that attracted me the most is plant-based meals. I have been a vegetarian for 15 years, and I have always believed that children’s dietary education is a very important topic. If they were aware of the vegan diet when they were young, or had an organization like Bright Side introduce them to different diets through education, they will know a different way to live, and a healthier way of diet. So I think this part is the most attractive to me, and I think Bright Side really did a great job on it.

D: Was there anything that stood out when working with Bright Side Projects during the planning and execution of the workshop that was different from other organizations (non-profit and for-profit)? That would make you consider working with us again in the future?
L: I think there is a big difference. Other organizations I have worked with in the past were not as careful about the details as Bright Side did. During our cooperation, I can see Bright Side’s attention to details in many places whether it’s the logos on children’s aprons and chocolate boxes or making sure photos were taken before, during and after the event. I feel their attentiveness especially when I received a well-structured sample of rundown for me to fill in, went over situations that might happen on the day as well as made appropriate adjustments according to the event situation. Because of these preparation works, the result of the event was very close to what we planned, and I think it takes a very careful and detail-oriented team to complete the job.

D: Did you have any prior experiences working with children? How did this experience with Bright Side shape or change your perspective? Any special moments that were especially memorable with the kids or stories to share that touched you?
L: I don’t really have experience interacting with or teaching children other than having been an english tutor for a short while after graduating from university. I don’t find myself to be a person that’s great with them and used to think that kids are scary and completely out of control. However, this workshop changed my mind and cured my “phobia” towards children! 

I feel these kids have so much to learn because they have infinite creativity that is not limited by the status quo; at the same time they receive and absorb information, they are also capable of sharing and spreading love in their own way.

During the workshop I was moved by one of the children. Although initially his personality perhaps seemed a bit too boisterous and rowdy, he was actually an extremely caring child. Through the workshop I also saw each child with their own personality; being sensible, well-behaved, or being the leader of the group; all were very different from the uncontrollable “mob” perception I had of children before interacting with them. They are all unique and have their own personality.

D: Thank you for taking the time to share your professional skills with Bright Side Youth under our Brighter Futures workshop. You have not only opened their eyes to a world they might not have known but planted the seeds for a potential career path, making a positive impact on childrens’ lives! How do you feel/ any thoughts you would like to share with us?
L: I hope that children will choose to do something that they like and believe are right; derive a sense of purpose. I don’t believe we should become limited by set social frameworks and believe that one should make decisions that are true to themselves.They should ask themselves what they want for their future and set to find out how to achieve this goal.

In addition, one should do what they feel is meaningful for their career. If we truly love what we do and devote ourselves to it,  we will attract the right people and the resources we need will also come naturally. That is what I’ve realized in my own journey of life. 

D: Do you have any advice for those who want to make a difference in the world?
L: My suggestion is not to think about changing the world but think about changing ourselves first. When we change ourselves, we are able to influence others through what we do; by living our lives the way we want we will affect other lives. 

D: Any words for the children?
L: I want to thank the children to dispelling my own perception of kids; I’m so happy that I was able to meet everyone and hope when I am able to see everyone again we will have become an even more amazing version of ourselves!