On Saturday morning, December 5, World Vision Taiwan and the Department of Social Welfare, Taipei City Government, is hosting a foster family recognition ceremony at Cheng Yuan High School, to appreciate the affection of foster families and their commitment to foster children.

Shih Yu-ling, Commissioner of the Department of Social Welfare thanks every foster family for spending their time and effort on children who have been hurt and neglected.

To recognize the dedication of foster families, 5 Grand Awards, 59 Best of Excellence, 37 Awards of Excellence, 1 Lifetime Achievement Award, and 8 Senior Awards will be handed out at the ceremony. The senior awards recognize families who have participated in the foster program for at least 10 years.

Mr. Chen Shan Ming and his wife, Lou Shan Shan have fostered children since 1998. Her first foster child was 3 year old girl who is the same age as her own son.

“Although they were the same age, they had big differences in physical development. My son was able to feed himself, talk well and didn’t need to wear a diaper. She needed to be fed, wear diapers, and just spoke simple words. Her age didn’t match her physical development, ” said Ms. Lou Shan Shan.

The challenges facing Ms. Lou to raise her foster child were much more than she imagined. She once considered giving up being a foster parent. Through the continued encouragement and support from World Vision Taiwan’s social workers, Mrs. Lou remained committed to the program. After 11 years, that little girl has grown up to be a normal third grader in junior high school.

Last year, she took in another 10 year old girl who was mentally challenged. She took the girl to a hospital for treatment and recently, this girl has graduated to a normal class from special education class.

Through investing time and love in her foster children, Ms. Lou believes she has gained a lot.

“World Vision provided many trainings and courses for foster parents. I have grown in knowledge and skills in raising and guiding children, ” said Ms Lou. She also advised other foster parents or prospective foster families: “Don’t give up being foster parents when facing difficulties, or it would hurt foster children.”

Ms Lee Ling Juan, a single parent, has been a foster parent for 6 years. She recalled one of her foster children, who once lived with her for 5 years. When this girl studied in a vocational school, she hoped to be independent and moved away. However, a year later, the girl called her and asked: “Could I go back?”

“My heart was almost broken when listening to her crying voice,” said Ms. Lee. When the girl returned her home, Ms. Lee told the girl: “No matter what happened before, let me take good care of you.”

Mr. Fan Hse Hong and his wife, Hsu Zheng Ying, have been foster parents for 9 years. Unfortunately, Mrs. Fan died of car accident recently. To commemorate this couple’s contribution to foster care, World Vision is giving Mr. Fan a special Lifetime Achievement Award.

Lucy Zhu, Manger of World Vision’s Foster Care Center says, “ Abused children usually feel insecure and tend to exhibit anti-social behaviors and emotional problems. They need safe, supportive environments.”

“Foster care service is team effort. World Vision Taiwan provides professional support and trainings. We urge the public to understand the importance and impact of foster care,” Ms. Zhu emphasized

Since 1991, World Vision Taiwan has operated foster care services commissioned by the Department of Social Welfare, Taipei City Government. According to the foster care service, in 2008 the main causes of children sent to foster families were abuse, neglect and domestic violence. Foster families are indispensable to protect children.

From January to September 2009, 121 children have been placed in foster care.