On August 18, First Lady Chow Mei Ching visited children who were involved in creative activities at a Child Friendly Space (CFS) in Jinfong and Dawu townships, which were among the hardest hit by Typhoon Morakot in Taitung County.

When First Lady Chow met with children at the CFS in Jia Lan Village, she sang traditional songs with them and joined a drawing activity where children used their artwork to share their dreams.

Children painted dreams such as becoming a brave hunter or an army officer. Others wanted to become a nurse or a rich person to improve life for his family.

The First Lady, known as “Aunty Chow” to the children, said, “It’s great that you all have a dream! I hope you will pursue your dream with much joy. With this dream in your heart, even when you are faced with difficulties or frustrations, you will not give up. Let’s hold on to the dream till it comes true.”

She also used indigenous musician Mr. Kimbo Hu, who is a hero and role model for many indigenous children, as an example. “You should follow the example of Mr. Hu. He never gave up on going after his dreams, not even in the most difficult of times.”

Mr. Hu, who was with the children and the First Lady at the CFS, said, “I’m so happy to know, after all these obstacles, we will still have brave hunters, lawyers, nurses, army officers, and even millionaires in Ja Lan Village! This village will be different in the future.”

As children are often the most vulnerable among disaster survivors, providing children with psychosocial support has become one of the top priorities for World Vision’s Typhoon Morakot Response.

First Lady Chow encouraged professionals who work with children to get involved in World Vision’s CFS projects. She said, “These children’s future is in our hands. It’s a simple decision. We can’t leave them alone when they have lost everything.”

Eight CFS have already been set up - two in Taitung, two in Pintung, and three in Kaohsiung. Two hundred and eighty (280) children are engaged in fun games and other creative activities, under guidance of trained volunteers, to express their emotions and begin healing from any trauma they have suffered.

On her way to Jia Lan Village of Jinfong Township, First Lady Chow witnessed how Taimali River has tripled in width due to floodwater and mudflows; homes and farmlands on the riversides were flooded; and roads were eroded by surging currents.

World Vision had worked in Jia Lan Village long before Typhoon Morakot struck Taitung. Local staff familiar with the area has been delivering urgently needed relief items into the village via small industrial roads when the main roads were cut off.

For the Typhoon Morakot Response, World Vision is appealing for NT$500 million for short-term relief activities and long-term rehabilitation efforts.