The winner of NT$600 million (US$20 million) in Taiwan’s national lottery has decided to give NT$90 million of the prize to 45 social welfare organizations, making it the charitable donation with the most beneficiaries in the history of the draw.
The Child Welfare League Foundation was one such nongovernmental organization that accepted NT$2 million. In CWLF’s case, the money was given specifically to its children’s individual play therapy program, which assists disadvantaged young children gifted in art, music and sports develop their talents.
“The program is to help those with great potential but unable to afford further training due to economic circumstances,” said Wang Ching-wen, head of CWLF’s Office of Social Work. “The service we render through the program is really to help poor children gain confidence in whatever they do at school or home.”
According to the foundation, the initiative was originally inspired by one of their regular volunteers about 10 years ago. He felt that many of the young children could not develop their special gifts due to a lack of financial support. He donated NT$100,000 to launch the initiative.
Yuan-yuan is one of 139 who have so far benefited. The boy has a keen understanding of mechanical devices and spatial constructs, but was having trouble developing his talents.
“Yuan-yuan hated going to school as he always had problems with other students,” said Chen Li-ju, the child's former volunteer counselor and current CEO of the charity. “The equipment and courses he needed were very costly. We even held a special meeting to find ways of raising funds for him.”
The NT$2 million donation solved the problem, allowing the foundation to send Yuan-yuan on some special courses. Not only has he had a tremendous sense of achievement in the mechanics class, his interpersonal skills have also improved.
Chen said that Yuan-yuan’s case has taught her that real help is about developing the child’s potential rather than concentrating merely on his problems. (SSC-SDH)
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