By Denny Chou | Supervisor, International Mktg Resource Centre
Dear Friends,
We are immensely grateful for your steadfast support throughout the years. As our endeavours evolve to better serve the needs of vulnerable children and families in Taiwan, we would like to reaffirm the essence of our "Community Care Homes" initiative and underscore its profound significance.
At its core, this programme aims to intervene proactively, providing a nurturing haven for at-risk youths before their family situations escalate to a critical juncture requiring government intervention or institutional placement. By establishing residential care homes within local communities, we offer children a secure environment that preserves their connections to familiar surroundings, while simultaneously providing support services to help rebuild and strengthen family units. This innovative approach allows us to protect children from harm while nurturing their bond with parents and communities – a holistic solution that transcends mere crisis management.
The Numbers for the first quarter of 2024:
Beyond the statistics, however, lie the transformative story of lives touched by your compassionate support.
Finding Love: A Journey of Healing for a Child Witness to Domestic Violence
Pei grew up witnessing the turmoil of family conflict. Although her mother eventually made the brave decision to leave the abusive environment, Pei’s sensitive nature left her struggling with feelings of insecurity due to her parents’ divorce. Her academic performance declined, and her emotions spiralled out of control. Fortunately, with the support of a community care home, Pei and her mother began rebuilding their intimate parent-child relationship. Together with other children in the care home, they embarked on a path of healing and happiness, forging a new life.
In her third year of junior high school, Pei was haunted by memories of domestic violence. She had often witnessed heated arguments over trivial matters within her family. Worse still, she had seen her mother endure physical abuse from her father. Determined to shield her younger sister, Pei’s mother chose to end the marriage and raise her daughters alone. Through a church referral, Pei’s mother connected with partners from the Community Care Home who guided them to a safe haven and empowered her with job skills to support their new life.
As the family prepared for their fresh start, Pei’s sensitive disposition intensified her feelings of insecurity. Her academic performance suffered, and she withdrew from social interactions, frequently clashing with classmates. Despite her inner turmoil, Pei didn’t know how to seek help. Her mother, busy with work and still recovering from the trauma of abuse, lacked the emotional capacity to provide the support Pei needed. Their once-close relationship had turned icy.
Reflecting on their past interactions, Pei’s mother decided to turn to the MSM team. She requested that Pei stay at the Community Care Home temporarily, allowing her to catch her breath. She hoped that professional guidance would help Pei overcome the shadows of violence and learn essential interpersonal and emotional management skills. With stable support from teachers and social workers at the Community Care Home, Pei gradually let down her guard, sharing her fear of witnessing her parents’ violence and reorganising her inner world.
Today, Pei has regained her smile and improved her emotional regulation. She enjoys sports and competes alongside many good friends. The Community Care Home facilitates parent-child bonding through parenting education activities, allowing Pei and her mother to rebuild their relationship and sense of attachment. Together, they are stepping out of the darkness of family violence, armed with courage and strength as they embrace a brand-new life.
Your partnership has been invaluable in making this vision a reality. As we forge ahead, expanding our network of "Community Care Homes" across Taiwan, we kindly ask for your continued support. Together, we can rewrite the narratives of vulnerable children and families, empowering them to overcome adversity and thrive as beacons of resilience within their communities.
With profound gratitude,
The Mustard Seed Mission Team
By Wang Kaini | Project Leader
By You-mei Zhou | Project Leader
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