Taiwan’s universities host approximately 120,000 international students. Among them, Vietnamese students form the largest group—around 39,000—followed by significant numbers from Indonesia and Malaysia.

Sr. Maria Hong Diem, who serves at St. Christopher’s Church in Taipei, works closely with international students from countries such as Vietnam, Indonesia, the Philippines, Cambodia, Thailand, and Mongolia. Despite facing financial pressures like high tuition and living expenses, Sr. Maria encourages them to embrace charitable service,

She initiated the "Lunchbox Program" that provides nutritious meals to the homeless while giving international students a meaningful way to give back. On the 2nd and 4th Saturday of each month, student volunteers gather at the church to cook and pack meals, later distributed—primarily around Taipei Main Station. In 2025 alone, 151 international volunteers prepared and shared 1,105 lunchboxes.

The Lunchbox Program concludes each gathering not only with meals distributed, but with hearts transformed— among those who receive and those who serve. It has become a living bridge between international students and the local community, nurturing compassion, solidarity, and a sense of belonging. Looking ahead, hopes remain strong to expand participation and sustain this outreach as a stable ministry of care. This initiative reflects our charism as Daughters of Charity: to recognize Christ in the poor and to serve with humility, simplicity, and love in concrete, daily actions.