Taipei, May 9 (CNA) Vegetable vendor and philanthropist Chen Shu-chu returned home Sunday after being honored in New York by Time magazine for her charitable donations over the past decades.
"It's great to return home, " Chen said with a radiant smile at the airport in her hometown of Taitung on Taiwan's east coast.
The 61-year-old wore a specially designed apron bearing a caricature image of her and Chinese characters that read "2010 Time 100 most influential people in the world." "I am wearing this apron because the first thing I want to do is go my stall and begin selling vegetables," Chen told reporters.
The red apron was a gift from Taitung County Magistrate Justin Huang who greeted Chen at Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport upon her return from the United States early Sunday and then accompanied her on a flight from Taipei's Songshan Airport to Taitung.
Chen received a warm welcome at Taoyuan airport and many passengers asked for her autograph and took photos with her.
Despite her new found fame, Chen said she most wants to return to her normal life and to be herself.
"I will wear my old apron when I resume work Tuesday," Chen said. Monday is traditionally a day-off in Taiwan marketplaces.
Chen further said she has no intention to become a spokeswoman for Taitung County's farm produce. "I just want to be myself and to resume my vegetable retailing business at my stall in Taitung's Central Market," she stressed.
She also rejected the idea of donations for her charitable causes or the establishment of a charity foundation.
"I will continue to save money for charitable causes, but I will not set up any charity foundations, nor will I accept any donations," she said.
Chen asked reporters not to cover her any more, particularly after she resumes her business Tuesday.
Named one of the world's 100 most influential people of 2010 by Time Magazine for her charitable acts, Chen went to New York for three days to attend a gala hosted by the magazine. On her way home, she also toured several of San Francisco landmarks. Chen said the U.S. trip -- her first-ever travel abroad -- was wonderful and memorable.
Chen began selling vegetables at 13. Out of her modest living, Chen has managed to donate nearly NT$10 million (US$320,000) to various causes, including supporting orphanages and building libraries in remote schools.
In March, Chen was also selected by Forbes magazine of the U.S. as one of the 48 heroes of philanthropy from Asia. (By Lu Tai-cheng, Bian Chin-feng and Sofia Wu) enditem /pc
"It's great to return home, " Chen said with a radiant smile at the airport in her hometown of Taitung on Taiwan's east coast.
The 61-year-old wore a specially designed apron bearing a caricature image of her and Chinese characters that read "2010 Time 100 most influential people in the world." "I am wearing this apron because the first thing I want to do is go my stall and begin selling vegetables," Chen told reporters.
The red apron was a gift from Taitung County Magistrate Justin Huang who greeted Chen at Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport upon her return from the United States early Sunday and then accompanied her on a flight from Taipei's Songshan Airport to Taitung.
Chen received a warm welcome at Taoyuan airport and many passengers asked for her autograph and took photos with her.
Despite her new found fame, Chen said she most wants to return to her normal life and to be herself.
"I will wear my old apron when I resume work Tuesday," Chen said. Monday is traditionally a day-off in Taiwan marketplaces.
Chen further said she has no intention to become a spokeswoman for Taitung County's farm produce. "I just want to be myself and to resume my vegetable retailing business at my stall in Taitung's Central Market," she stressed.
She also rejected the idea of donations for her charitable causes or the establishment of a charity foundation.
"I will continue to save money for charitable causes, but I will not set up any charity foundations, nor will I accept any donations," she said.
Chen asked reporters not to cover her any more, particularly after she resumes her business Tuesday.
Named one of the world's 100 most influential people of 2010 by Time Magazine for her charitable acts, Chen went to New York for three days to attend a gala hosted by the magazine. On her way home, she also toured several of San Francisco landmarks. Chen said the U.S. trip -- her first-ever travel abroad -- was wonderful and memorable.
Chen began selling vegetables at 13. Out of her modest living, Chen has managed to donate nearly NT$10 million (US$320,000) to various causes, including supporting orphanages and building libraries in remote schools.
In March, Chen was also selected by Forbes magazine of the U.S. as one of the 48 heroes of philanthropy from Asia. (By Lu Tai-cheng, Bian Chin-feng and Sofia Wu) enditem /pc
