Taiwan security guard’s sacrifice leads son from reused textbooks to becoming a doctor against the odds

TAIWAN: The story centres on Chen Yong-lin, a security guard from New Taipei City, and his son Chen Wen-xuan. Years ago, Chen Yong-lin’s quiet act of devotion drew public attention when it emerged that he had collected second-hand reference books thrown away by residents. To make them usable for his son, he painstakingly covered old answers with correction fluid so the books could be reused repeatedly.

The practice was born out of necessity. With a limited household income and no means to afford expensive tuition classes, the father relied on ingenuity and patience to support his son’s education. That simple but heartfelt gesture later became a symbol of parental sacrifice for families struggling under financial constraints.

According to local reports, the family’s circumstances were especially challenging during Chen Wen-xuan’s early years. His mother had yet to obtain a Taiwanese identity card, leaving the household dependent solely on his father’s income as a security guard. Growing up in such conditions, Chen Wen-xuan said he learned early on that only through greater effort could he hope to change his future.

From Elite Classes to Medical School

Despite the odds, Chen Wen-xuan progressed steadily through Taiwan’s competitive education system. He entered a mathematics and science gifted programme in junior high school, later gaining admission to Jianguo High School, one of the country’s most prestigious secondary schools.

With perseverance and consistent academic performance, he eventually secured a place at National Taiwan University’s medical school — a milestone that marked a turning point not only for himself, but for his family as well. He has since graduated and successfully passed the national licensing examination, officially becoming a doctor.

Local reports noted that his journey was not defined by individual effort alone, but also by timely social support that helped ease the family’s financial burden.

Gratitude Shared at Scholarship Event

Chen Wen-xuan recently shared his story at a New Taipei City government event titled “20 Years of Dreams Fulfilled · Love in New Taipei, Letting Dreams Take Flight”, organised to thank supporters of the Dream Fulfilment Scholarship Fund.

Speaking at the event, he expressed gratitude for the financial assistance he received through the fund, saying it had reduced the family’s economic pressure and allowed him to focus fully on his studies without being forced to compromise on his aspirations. His remarks reportedly moved many in attendance.

He added that without the support, the road ahead would have been far more uncertain, as financial realities could easily have pushed him away from pursuing medicine.

Giving Back to Society

Looking ahead, Chen Wen-xuan said he hopes to return to work at NTU Hospital in the future, where he aims to care for more people in need and give back to society through his profession.

New Taipei City Mayor Hou You-yi, who attended the event, said the Dream Fulfilment Scholarship Fund has been running for 20 years and has raised nearly NT$300 million (about US$9557600). The fund has supported more than 5,000 underprivileged but high-achieving students, making it one of Taiwan’s longest-running and most impactful educational support initiatives.

More Stories of Impact

Other beneficiaries also shared their experiences at the event. Social worker Wu Jia-fang said the support she received through the fund became a crucial source of strength along her growth journey, and she now hopes to continue passing that care forward.

Meanwhile, Taipei Physical Education College javelin coach Hsu Ruo-jia said her experience as a scholarship recipient strengthened her resolve to pursue her dreams and contribute back to society.