By Annie Liou Translated by Cheryl Robbins
Although April 4th
is Children's and Women's Day in Taiwan, the day was originally
set aside to celebrate children alone. Children represent
the future of every society including its leaders.
However, there are many who need a helping hand while they
are still young. In Taichung, at least one organization
has devoted itself to assisting children with disabilities.
Dr. Chuang Hung-ta founded Mary's Rehabilitation
Centers for Love and Life in 1988 to educate and care for
the physically and mentally disabled in a warm, loving,
helpful environment. There are currently four such
centers in Taichung City and Taichung County where children
with various disabilities receive support, mental development
instruction, physical therapy, occupational training, medical
care and other forms of assistance. Currently, another
center is being built in Wufeng to provide lifelong care
to the severely disabled. However, with the economic downturn
it has become difficult to raise money for charitable works.
For example, the Wufeng project is about NT$20 million short
of the funds required.
But, on a more positive note, this organization
opened two Tien Hsin Wu bakeries about two years ago. All
of the workers are junior-high school age children with
mental and learning disabilities. At these bakeries,
they receive practical training to help them become productive
members of society. Under the guidance of organization
volunteers, these workers bake bread and cookies, pour coffee,
take care of customers and handle money. As they become
more capable, they are given more responsibility and learning
opportunities.
In order to increase the income from these
bakeries, new products are constantly being introduced,
such as steamed buns, filled with taro root, sweet bean
paste, meat or vegetables. These have become very
popular, being sold almost as fast as they come out of the
steamer. This year, chefs from the Grand Formosa Hotel
volunteered their time and skills to teach workers how to
cook entire meals. Now, Tien Hsin Wu offers angel
lunchboxes. For only NT$70, you can enjoy a five-star
lunch of haddock, salmon, beef, squid or chicken.
Although the economic downturn has affected
the financial resources of this organization, there are
still a number of caring people who are trying their best
to help Mary's. For example, some organizations and
groups order large quantities of Tien Hsin Wu bread.
The day that I visited a Tien Hsin Wu bakery, the bread
was literally disappearing off the shelves, which was a
very heartening experience for me.
What I learned from this assignment is that
all people are angels. But some, like the children
receiving help at Mary's Rehabilitation Centers for Love
and Life are just in a hurry to get to Earth and injure
themselves in the landing, becoming different kinds of angels.
With support from the public, these children can grow up
in a happy environment, and receive education and care to
reach their full potential.
Tien Hsin Wu bakeries are located at 700,
Shih Cheng Rd (tel 04-2259-0690 ext 33), and at 73, Liu
Chuan E. Rd., sec. 2 (tel 04-2371-6701). For
more information about Mary's Rehabilitation Centers for
Love and Life, contact the above Shih Cheng Road branch,
or check the website at: www.maria.org.tw
