NT$1 Lights Up 60 Years: Southern Tainan CWLF Celebrates Anniversary, Witnessing Over 10,000 Children Transform Lives
Translated from Chinese, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
At a glance
- The Southern Tainan branch of the Child Welfare League Foundation celebrated its 60th anniversary with a gratitude tea party.
- Over 60 years, the foundation has supported over 12,000 children, helping them overcome challenges and pursue their dreams.
- A special "Service Driven by NT$1" ceremony highlighted the cumulative impact of small donations on the foundation's work.
The Southern Tainan branch of the Child Welfare League Foundation (CWLF) marked its 60th anniversary with a heartfelt gratitude tea party, bringing together approximately 300 donors, foster families, alumni, and support group representatives. The event celebrated six decades of safeguarding children and nurturing families, underscoring the enduring power of love and hope.
The celebration commenced with a vibrant performance by 15 CWLF children playing African drums, followed by a historical review video. This presentation transported attendees back to the foundation's humble beginnings in 1966, recalling the challenging era of limited resources and difficult travel conditions faced by social workers serving families in remote areas. A commemorative song for the 60th anniversary, composed by CWLF youth, further enriched the event with its warm melody of companionship and hope.
A particularly inspiring moment was the sharing of life stories by Liu Kuan-wei, a young entrepreneur who was once a recipient of CWLF's support. Liu, a recipient of the Presidential Education Award and a gold medalist in international culinary competitions, now manages two brands, "Man Cao Jiu Ling" restaurant and "Shan Yuan." He expressed deep gratitude for CWLF's guidance during his formative years, crediting the foundation for helping him develop a positive mindset and the courage to face life's challenges, inspiring him to give back to society.
The event's focal point was the "Service Driven by NT$1" ceremony, where eight pillars were illuminated to symbolize the foundation's 60 years of service. Each light represented the collective strength derived from numerous small contributions from the public, reflecting CWLF's efforts in economic support, poverty alleviation through education, skill development, child protection, foster care, and community well-being. Over the past six decades, CWLF has empowered 12,047 economically disadvantaged children to achieve self-reliance and pursue their aspirations, while 3,938 children have benefited from protective placement services, finding safety and a chance for healthy development away from violence and abuse.
Yang Cheng-ta, the chairman of the foundation, emphasized that these figures represent more than just service outcomes; they are individual life stories of families regaining stability. He noted that every donation, every moment of companionship, and every staff member's dedication can be a crucial turning point in a child's life.
Every donation, every moment of companionship, and every staff member's dedication can be a crucial turning point in a child's life.
Originally published by Liberty Times in Chinese. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.