The Hakka Association of Houston and the Hakka Culture and Education Foundation (客家文教基金會) held the annual meeting at the American College of Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine on Jan. 6.

Hosted by Deputy Chairman Chan Huan-tsai (詹煥彩) of the Hakka Association of Houston, the meeting started with a traditional custom of Hakka folk song performance and a sing-along.

During the meeting, election was held to vote for new board director and council member. Following the election, a lucky draw activity offering more than 100 gifts and cash prize provided by members of the association and other groups was also held for participants to win gifts home.

During the oration, Chairman Fan Mi-wen (范泌文) first thanked Liang Shen-ping (梁慎平) of the American College of Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine for providing venue for overseas Hakka’s gathering before presenting a report about activities, projects, and outstanding achievement in the past year.

Elizabeth, chairman of the Hakka Youth Association, wished everyone a Happy New Year in the Hakka language, and presented a report on how the association promoted Hakka culture and performing arts in the past year. 

Deputy Minister Lai Gang-zhi (賴剛志) of Hakka Culture and Education Foundation presented report on behalf of Minister. He also praised Liu Kui-mei (劉貴美) for preparing traditional Hakka food for roughly 150 participants.

Thanks to efforts and sacrifices made by managing teams and members, the Hakka Association of Houston and the Hakka Culture and Education Foundation got to develop and grow, added Deputy Minister Lai.

The new board members of Hakka Association of Houston include Wang Gan-xiong (汪幹雄), Chan Huan-tsai (詹煥彩), Lai Chiang-chun (賴江椿), Chang Hsien-liang (張賢良), Lai Jui-hua (賴瑞華), and Kuan Kuang-ming (管光明). New council members of the foundation include Chen Teng-mei (陳登美), Huang Ma-li (黃瑪莉), Chan Sung-feng (詹松烽), and Huang Ying-yen (黃營炎).

Newly elected Chairman Wang Gan-xiong thanked everyone’s support for trusting him in serving the role. He hopes to pass on the association’s traditions and continue to develop and grow to build a large family of Hakka.