In Focus: Sweet Potato Mama Project
Taipei, Taiwan
From EUR 43.30
Office phone number: +886 2 2591 0127
In Focus: Sweet Potato Mama Project
Taipei, Taiwan
Culture shock rating
Worried we’re going to shock your senses? Relax! We believe part of the fun of travel is immersing yourself in the destination and its culture, meeting the people, and learning what makes the place tick. We’ve got a wide range of tours with something for everybody. The cultural shock rating ranks how different the experience is from most Western cultures. But no matter the level, don’t worry, you’ll have a local, in-the-know guide with you every step of the way.
Low
Consider these tours your 101 intro to a place. Transportation might be private or a very comfortable public option, and the activities are usually visits to iconic sites and locations that are familiar to most Western cultures – but that will still give you fantastic insight into a destination.
Medium
Expect to rough it for parts of this tour, whether that’s on a packed public bus or in a local market off the tourist trail. There might be a few language barriers or unfamiliar cultural customs, and you’ll get an experience different from what you're used to at home.
High
You're out there in the global community! We’re going to take you down streets you’d rarely explore on your own, introduce you to local customs and languages, and take you for a ride in whatever transport is available. Get ready to take it as it comes, whatever comes. There might be a shock, but oh man, it’s worth it.
Physical rating
Worried our tours are too tough? Relax! From leisurely strolls to muscle-burning treks, we’ve got a wide range of tours with something for everybody. The physical grading gives you an idea of how much huffing and puffing you can expect on the tour.
Low
Slow and steady is all you need here. These tours have very limited physical activity, such as walking relatively flat streets, sites, or markets, and climbing in and out of the transport provided.
Medium
Not too hard, not too soft, these tours are just right! You can expect a bit of physical activity, but nothing overly challenging – perhaps walking up and down hills, riding a bike for up to 30 kilometers along mostly flat terrain, or jumping in a kayak for a gentle paddle on flat water.
High
Get ready for a workout! These tours are our most challenging and involve intense walking, hiking, kayaking, swimming, or bike riding. You could be making steep climbs by foot or pedal, or working your core in the water. We recommend you have a good level of fitness to join this tour.
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Tour snapshot
You say potato, we say Sweet Mamas! The sweet potato is an important symbol of Taiwanese cuisine, and the Sweet Potato Mamas serve up that tradition from their street stalls of Taipei. Take a Taipei tour for good as you learn how these women work to support their families, and help them serve a lunchtime crowd. All proceeds from this tour will go to the Genesis Social Welfare Foundation’s Sweet Potato Mama Program to support single mothers.
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Highlights
- Support a local program that helps single mothers launch their own sweet potato businesses
- Learn about the tradition of Sweet Potato Mamas and how they earn a living selling street snacks
- Put your hands to work, serving potatoes to locals on their lunch breaks
- Taste sweet potatoes roasted by the Sweet Potato Mamas
- All net proceeds from this tour will go directly to the Genesis Social Welfare Foundation
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Schedule details
- Duration: 2 hours
- Meeting point:
Shandao Temple MRT Station, Exit 5 (Blue Line)
- Find the exact meeting point with what3words:
- Starting time: 11.00 AM
- Ending point:
Shangdou Temple MRT Station, Exit 5
Language: English
Inclusions: Local English-speaking guide, sweet potato meal. All proceeds from this tour will be donated to the Genesis Social Welfare Foundation’s Sweet Potato Mama Program.
Exclusions: Additional food or drink, items of a personal nature, tips and gratuities for the guide.
The sweet potato is more than just a food in Taiwan — it’s a part of Taiwanese culture. There are cultural expressions about the sweet potato, and even the country is said to be shaped like a sweet potato. But most of all, the sweet potato is a popular street food snack, and that’s where we come in! You’re going to check out the sweet potato street food scene and meet the women who cook and sell the snacks: the Sweet Potato Mamas.
Your Taipei tour will start by taking you to the base of the Sweet Potato Mama industry, the warehouse. You’ll learn about the Sweet Potato Mama Program and the equipment that these women use every day in their business. The program is run by the Genesis Social Welfare Foundation, a well-known support organisation in Taiwan that runs care facilities for underprivileged vegetative patients, as well as community welfare initiatives. By providing the space, training, and equipment needed, the foundation helps Sweet Potato Mamas to start their own businesses. The foundation also provides the first bag of sweet potatoes to the women free of charge, to help get the business going. Thanks to receiving these necessities, these Mamas can typically start their own business within as little as one week.
After our warehouse visit, it’ll be time to join the Mamas! We’re going to see how they work by working ourselves, helping them to sell sweet potatoes. Between noon and 1pm is break time for the people who work in this area — but it’s peak hour for the Sweet Potato Mamas. You’ll learn from them and help them to sell sweet potatoes right on the street, and have the opportunity to interact with all the locals who stop by.
Once your shift is over, you’ll be treated to a sweet potato roasted by a Mama herself — a great snack after all your hard work.
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Additional information
Inclusions: Local English-speaking guide, sweet potato meal. All proceeds from this tour will be donated to the Genesis Social Welfare Foundation’s Sweet Potato Mama Program.
Exclusions: Additional food or drink, items of a personal nature, tips and gratuities for the guide.
Dress standard: Please dress comfortably for walking through a warehouse and working outdoors.
Your Trip: For your Urban Adventure you will be in a small group of a maximum of 12 people.
Confirmation of booking: If you have your voucher, your booking is confirmed. We'll see you at the start point. Get in touch if you have any concerns or require more information via the email address or phone number (business hours only) on your voucher.
Additional Information: This tour is fully accessible and can accommodate wheelchairs.
Child Policy: Children between the ages of 6 and 11 inclusively are permitted on this tour at the rate listed above. Please select ‘child’ above when booking. Children below the age of 6 are not permitted on this tour.
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Local contact
Office phone number: +886 2 2591 0127
Email address: info@taipeiurbanadventures.com
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