Eden E-news: No. 10 | August 2013

International Interns Reap Lifetime Memories in Summer Camps at Eden (cont.)

This July and August, a total of six inernational summer interns at Eden Social Welfare Foundation from the U.S., Canada, Australia, and France, joined an exciting series of summer programs in Taiwan with different service centers under the umbrella of Eden. Each one of them has expressed a great deal of progress and growth in his/her personal life as well as improved understanding and appreciation of lives different from which they used to know of when interviewed on his/her unique experience in Multicultural Camp for Children of Recent Immigrant Families in Taitung County (台東多元文化成長營) and Workshop on Gender and Relationships for Teenagers in Yilan County (宜蘭新移民二代青春期工作坊) both held by Eden in July 2013.

 

Let's hear from these talented young people of Taiwan descent, born and/or raised overseas and gifted with a big heart to serve Taiwan and the world, about their work with Eden this summer.

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(Vivian Sun, 2013 Summer Intern at Eden Social Welfare Foundation, from Chino Hills, C.A., U.S.A.)

 

I have gained so much more than words can describe during my short week volunteering in Taitung. Interacting with the kids there opened my eyes to the calloused reality that many children live through every single day of their lives. Each individual has his or her own strengths and flaws that makes each one so unique, but also requires more attention from those who look after them. Seeing their eyes light up when they get the right answer and their eagerness to learn more was very uplifting and rewarding. Although I played the role of the teacher and the counselor watching over these children, I believe I was the one who learned more from them. (Click here for more stories of 2013 Summer Interns at Eden.)

 

Vivian is curerently an undergraduate student majoring in International Studies-Anthropology at the University of California, San Diego.

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(Tina Yang, 2013 Summer Intern at Eden Social Welfare Foundation, from Houston, T.X., U.S.A.)

After experiencing my first summer camp with Eden in the rural city of Taitung, I can say that I am fortunate to have had this opportunity. During this International Volunteer Camp, I have learned to count my blessings and be thankful for anything and everything. The relationships that I built with the countless people that I met were each very special. I made everlasting friendships with the Taiwanese volunteers as we saw each other’s highs and lows throughout the 8-day trip. Meeting the kids who attended this camp and creating a unique bond with each of them was one of the greatest experiences I've had in my life. (Click here for more stories of 2013 Summer Interns at Eden.)

 

 

Tina is now an undergraduate student majoring in Marketing at the University of Houston.

 

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Youth with Visual Impairments Meet Friends from Able Disable Centre, Nauru

 

Eden's 2013 Summer Intern (center) at this year's Summer English Program

for Youth with Visual Impairments assits developmentally delayed students

from Nauru with pottery making at New Taipei City Yingge Ceramics

Museum. 

 

On August 2, 2013, 10 students aged between 13 to 30 with disabilities from Able Disable Centre, Republic of Nauru, along with their parents and teachers, gathered together at Ban-Cheng Taiwan Friends Church (台灣基督教貴格會板城教會) in New Taipei City for the final presentation featuring local participants from this year's  Summer English and Art Program for Youth with Visual Impairments at Eden to celebrate art and friendship. Just 2 days before this joyful occasion of songs and music, the two groups have been introduced to each other on July 31 at the studio at New Taipei City Yingge Ceramics Museum during a DIY session where members from both groups experienced how to make their own pottery for the first time. 

 

Dr. Zatta (left) engages volunteers at the
training in Taipei to demonstrate how to
achieve effective communication

without the use of language.

Invited by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Republic of China (Taiwan) and received by Eden Social Welfare Foundation, members of the Youth Delegation from Able Disable Centre, the only school for persons with disabilities in Nauru, was on an 8-day trip to Taiwan with an aim to experience the island's facilities and services for persons with disabilities. Click here for a full coverage on the group's visit to Taiwan.

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MDVI Students Benifitted from Quality Education with Perkins' Debut in Taiwan

 

Taiwanese students who have multiple disabilities with visual impairments (MDVI) are expected to benefit from services provided by local professionals who have their skills honed in when participating in Eden's training program provided by renowned instructors from Perkins School for the Blind, the world's leading institute for special education that gives Taiwan a debut lecture series from August 15 to 23 in Taichung and Taipei.

 

With more than 170 Taiwanese professionals who work with MDVI individuals and register for the event, the two distinguished instructors from Perkins, Dr. McLetchie and Dr. Zatta, invigorated participants with experiences, skills, and knowledge acquired through their lifetime career in MDVI education both at Perkinds and internationally. The event sees the successful exchange between the special education professionals in Taiwan and the world and marks another milestone in the development of Taiwan's MDVI education. Click here for full coverage on the lectures by Perkins.

Donate! Checks payable to Eden Social Welfare Foundation can be mailed to: Eden Social Welfare Foundation 3rd Fl., 55, Wanmei Street, Sec.1, Taipei, Taiwan 116 Or click here to download and fill out the credit card donation form! *Please allow 2 to 4 weeks for a receipt of your donation

To subscribe, please reply to ieden.info@gmail.com with subscribe in the subject line.

Eden E-news: No. 9 | July 2013

International Interns Reap Lifetime Memories in Summer Camps at Eden Social Welfare Foundation

 

This July and August, a total of six inernational summer interns at Eden Social Welfare Foundation from the U.S., Canada, Australia, and France, joined an exciting series of summer programs in Taiwan with different service centers under the umbrella of Eden. Each one of them has expressed a great deal of progress and growth in his/her personal life as well as improved understanding and appreciation of lives different from which they used to know of when interviewed on his/her unique experience in Multicultural Camp for Children of Recent Immigrant Families in Taitung County (台東多元文化成長營) and Workshop on Gender and Relationships for Teenagers in Yilan County (宜蘭新移民二代青春期工作坊) both held by Eden in July 2013.

 

Let's hear from these talented young people of Taiwan descent, born and/or raised overseas and gifted with a big heart to serve Taiwan and the world, about their work with Eden this summer.

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Jerry is currently studying

business (accounting) at

University of British Columbia

(Jerry Hu, 2013 Summer Intern at Eden Social Welfare Foundation, from Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada)

Participating in the Taitung Multiutural Camp as one of the student leaders had helped me raise my maturity level as well as developed adaptability skills. While interacting with kids, I realized that in order to understand and build a strong relationship with them, I had to think like them.

During this camp, I had the pleasure to work with the best team/ friends. We supported each other and became a family. These short 7 days had become a highlight of my Taiwan trip and I’ll treasure the memories we made together. (Click here for more stories of 2013 Summer Interns at Eden.)

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(Michelle Chang, 2013 Summer Intern at Eden Social Welfare Foundation, from Brisbane, Queensland, Australia)



 

The 8-days Taitung Multicultural Camp was absolutely one of the most extraordinary times that I've had in my life. Working with a group of talented and cheerful volunteers all around the world was utterly a mind-blowing and unforgettable experience. Throughout the camp, we implemented many activities such as games, morning dance, art craft making as well as a series of lessons introducing about different cultures. By sharing our own stories with the children, not only were we able to build strong connections with children, we also got a chance to listen to their thoughts, hopes and dreams. Their glowing eyes and pure smiles keep reminding myself not to lose the original aspiration and never give up on my dreams. (Click here for more stories of 2013 Summer Interns at Eden.)

 

 

Michelle is currently pursuing Master of Nutrition and Dietetics at the University of Queensland.

 

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(Tammy Lin, 2013 Summer Intern at Eden Social Welfare Foundation, from San Jose, California, U.S.A.)

 Though I only spent a week with the students in Taitung, I was surprised by how much I grew to care for the students that I met. Though we differed in language, culture, and background, I learned that we are all the same at heart. They were still kids, and we were able to laugh and bond in the same way. Over the course of a week, I gradually learned how to love and care for them, as well as how to lead and teach them. Their impish smiles captured my heart; their determination impressed me; their knowledge surprised me. (Click here for more stories of 2013 Summer Interns at Eden.)

 

Tammy is currently studying Public Health at UC Berkeley.

 

 

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(Valerie Ly, 2013 Summer Intern at Eden Social Welfare Foundation, from La Rochelle, France)

 

Being able to work with Eden Social Welfare Foundation has been an rewarding experience that I will never forget. During the summer camps in Taitung and Ilan, I really enjoyed to work and play with the local children and to make them discover my French culture; I wish I have bought and taught them something that is going to contribute to their lives no matter how tiny the influence might be.  I also cherish the lifetime friendship I made with many local and international volunteers and interns from around the world. (Click here for more stories of 2013 Summer Interns at Eden.) 

Valerie is currently a graduate student at MBA Tourism and Services Management with a focus on Hospitality Management at Groupe Sup de Co La Rochelle.

 

More stories of Eden's international summer interns this year will be featured in the next issue of Eden E-news.

Donate! Checks payable to Eden Social Welfare Foundation can be mailed to: Eden Social Welfare Foundation 3rd Fl., 55, Wanmei Street, Sec.1, Taipei, Taiwan 116 Or click here to download and fill out the credit card donation form! *Please allow 2 to 4 weeks for a receipt of your donation  To subscribe, please reply to ieden.info@gmail.com with subscribe in the subject line.



Eden E-news: No. 8 | June 2013

International Visitors from 20 Countries Visit Accessible Housing at Eden

On June 3, 2013, engineers and urban planners, invited by Urban and Rural Development Department, New Taipei City Government, from 20 countries, visit Eden’s accessible housing project in southern New Taipei City. Originally a governmental dormitory for dependents of police officers, the project now stands as the witness to the successful renovation of the premise.
 

The first floor of the building has been turned into a display area featuring creative handicraft merchandise such as handmade soap and wool felt scarves made by persons with disabilities.

 

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International Delegation Calls on Taiwan to Move One Step Closer to a Mine-free World with Eden

Dr. Meng-chang Yao (right), Professor at Fu Jen Catholic

University Department of law, introduces Mr. John

MacBride, former Senior Defence Advisor (Mines/ERW) for

Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada, at the

seminar.

On June 13th, 2013, an anti-landmine seminar, “A Conversation between Humanitarian Law and National Security: Taiwan and the Mine Ban Treaty” was organized by Eden Social Welfare Foundation with an international delegation consists of professionals from Japan and Korea as well as ICBL (International Campaign to Ban Landmines) campaigners from France and Canada.
A featured speaker at the seminar, Mr. MacBride, who has also served in the Canadian military for more than thirty years, states that military studies have revealed that landmines bear little strategic value and are unnecessary weapons for military forces which have been modernized and that the harm which landmines cause to civilians cannot be compensated by any military gain from their use. Over 80 per cent of the world’s governments, or 161 countries have acceded to the comprehensive ban on the weapon to date.

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ICBL Visits Presidential Office to Appeal for a Mine-free Taiwan

On June 14, 2013, ROC President Ma Ying-jeou receives international delegation members, lead by Ms. Sylvie Brigot Vilain, executive director of International Campaign to Ban Landmines and Cluster Munition Coalition (ICBL-CMC), who called on the government of Taiwan to establish a national law commending the comprehensive ban on the use and stockpiling of anti-personnel landmines throughout its territories. After the visit, delegation headed for the island of Kinmen to be briefed by R.O.C. Army Demining Division on Taiwan’s demining achievements.
Mr. Joa-Song Huang, CEO of Eden Social Welfare Foundation also called on the government to fully integrate the International Mine Ban Treaty, as soon as possible, in order to ensure that Taiwan will never again use this weapon, banned by international humanitarian laws.

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1000-strong Celebrate a Mine-free Taiwan with EDEN on a Beach Walk in Kinmen

Ms. Sylvie Brigot Vilain, Executive Director of International
Campaign to Ban Landmines and Cluster Munition Coalition
(ICBL-CMC), ties a yellow ribbon, a symbol of peace, with
event participants at the end of beach walk in Kinmen.

As of June 2013, seven years after the inception of Taiwan’s Anti-personnel Landmines Regulations Act, the Ministry of National Defense R.O.C. has declared clearance of all known minefields on Taiwan’s offshore islands.
With shared belief in anti-landmine campaigns among Eden and local residents in Kinmen, international delegation members were invited by Eden to join local residents in Kinmen on a walk along the island’s cleared coastline in hope of the achievement of a mine-free world with love, courage, and hope. About one thousand people signed up for the event on June 15, 2013. Participants in the walk rolled up their pant-leg in commemoration of those who were injured or killed by landmines.
Impressed with Taiwan’s demining achievements, Ms. Brigot-Vilain said she warmly anticipates Taiwan's near term achievement of a comprehensive ban on the use of antipersonnel landmines.

Donate! Checks payable to Eden Social Welfare Foundation can be mailed to: Eden Social Welfare Foundation 3rd Fl., 55, Wanmei Street, Sec.1, Taipei, Taiwan 116 Or click here to download and fill out the credit card donation form! *Please allow 2 to 4 weeks for a receipt of your donation

To subscribe, please reply to ieden.info@gmail.com with subscribe in the subject line.

Eden E-news: No. 7 | May 2013

Experts Present at Eden’s Cross-Strait Community Reconstruction Workshop/Symposium after Sichuan Earthquake

On 1 May, 2013, Eden Social Welfare Foundation hosted the Cross-Strait Workshop/Symposium on Disaster Aid and Community Reconstruction in Taipei, where experts and professionals were invited to share and exchange with one another their work and first-hand experience in the area of community reconstruction after recent major disasters such as Typhoon Morakot in Taiwan in 2009 and the Wenchuan earthquake in Sichuan Province, China, in 2008. Read more here. 

 

 

 

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Cheers for an Inspiring Professional Exchange among Eden's Staff Representative and International NGOs at 2013 InterAction Forum in Washington D.C.

On 29th April to 1st May, 2013, Ms. Chia Yin Pan, staff representative of Eden Social Welfare Foundation at the annual InterAction Forum, headed for Washington D.C. to attend a three-day event presided over by the American Voluntary International Action. With nearly 1,000 attendees representing hundreds of organizations from all over the world, this year’s InterAction Forum features a wide variety of workshops and tracks on issues critical to the development of common solutions to the challenges faced by the world’s marginalized and impoverished communities. Read more here.

Caption: Mr. Zhong Lin Ma (right), Deputy Director-general of Department of International Information Services, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Republic of China (Taiwan) and Ms. Chia Yin Pan, Eden's representative at 2013 InterAction Forum in Washington D.C.

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120 Wheelchairs Donated to Victims of Lushan (China) Earthquake by Eden

Ms. Xiao Quan Tang (central), Vice Chairperson of China Disabled Persons'
Federation receives, on behalf of the Federation, wheelchair donation from
Eden's representative, Mr. Meng Lun Xie (first from left), Project Manager
at Eden's Service Center in Sichuan.

A 7 magnitude earthquake broke out at 8:02 am on April 20, 2013, in Sichuan Province, China. In the advent of such a large scale disaster which resulted in an overwhelming number of victims to be assisted, Eden Social Welfare Foundation has stood steadfast to its commitment to serving persons with disabilities by working with its local staff members, organized by Ms. Ruo Yun Hong, social worker at Eden’s service center in Sichuan, to assess the needs of communities in the disaster area soon after the earthquake. The effort has resulted in the successful donation of 120 wheelchairs on 7th May, 2013, to those who were severely injured in the earthquake. Read more here.

 

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Hirotada Ototake Supports Persons with Disabilties on the Premier of His Autobiographical Movie, “No Body’s Perfect”

 

Having visited Taiwan 13 years ago, the internationally renowned sport journalist from Japan, Hirotada Ototake, also a person with disabilities as a result of tetra-amelia syndrome, is invited by the Taiwan-based Sky Digi Entertainment Co. for the national premier of his latest film, Nobody’s Perfect, on 3rd May, 2013.

At the press conference on the premier day, Ototake was joined by Ms. Xue Xiang Huang, Director of Eden’s Resource Development Center, as he called upon the general public in Taiwan to establish an amiable social environment for persons with disabilities. Read more here.

 

Donate! Checks payable to Eden Social Welfare Foundation can be mailed to: Eden Social Welfare Foundation 3rd Fl., 55, Wanmei Street, Sec.1, Taipei, Taiwan 116 Or click here to download and fill out the credit card donation form! *Please allow 2 to 4 weeks for a receipt of your donation

To subscribe, please reply to ieden.info@gmail.com with subscribe in the subject line.



Eden E-news: No. 6 | April 2013

 Special Report: Workshop on International Classification of Functioing, Disability and Health

In the conference, Dr. Fougeyrollas and Dr. Sato give in-depth
presentations on the different approaches with which the
government of Canada (Quebec) and Japan apply or modify the
concept of ICF.

On 25th March, 2013, Eden Social Welfare Foundation cooperated with The League of Welfare Organizations for the Disabled in the international exchange program, Proud to Be Myself-Challenges and Response to the New Identification System, where professionals from various fields were invited from Japan, Canada (Quebec), and Taiwan to share their experience in the implementation of ICF (International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health), approved by World Health Organization.

 

A congregation of distinguished guest speakers presenting in the conferece includes Dr. Patrick Fougeyrollas, Directeur de l’enseignment et du soutien scientifique, Dr. Hisao Sato, Professor at Japan College of Social Work, Dr. Heng Hao Chang, Professor at National Taipei University Department of Sociology, as well as governmental representatives of Taiwan's Ministry of the Interior Department of Health and the Department of Social Affairs. Read more here.

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Eden Donates 100 Wheelcahirs to Rural Nepal

Eden's staff member from Taiwan assists first-time
users of wheelchairs in villages of Nepal.

In late March, the emblem of Eden Social Welfare Foundation is proudly observed in the mountains of rural Nepal, where Eden’s two staff members from Taiwan traveled thousands of miles and donated a total of 100 brand new wheelchairs to local villagers with disabilities. Staff members at Eden have been working incessantly on the project since 2012 after learning from our fellow ICBL (International Campaign to Ban Landmines) campaigner in Nepal the dire need for wheelchairs among the country's rural residents with disabilities.

 

Eden Social Welfare Foundation would also like to thank the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of China (Taiwan) and our local allies from Women Development Society in Nepal for their assistance with this wheelchair donation project. The project marks Eden's first success with its international work in Nepal and would not have happened without their help.

 

Along with the 100 wheelchairs donated to Nepal, Eden also donated 200 wheelchairs to persons with disabilities in Vietnam around the same time after the country's many previous successes in receiving wheelchair donations from Eden. The final cost of Eden's most recent attempt to donate a total of 300 wheelchairs to Nepal and Vietnam amounts to approximately USD 31,000. Read more here.

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An Exchange of Accessible Housing Ideas with Eden and Hong Kong PHAB Association



On 25th March, 2013, Hong Kong PHAB (physically handicapped and able-bodied) Association calls on Eden Social Welfare Foundation for a tour of Eden’s accessible housing project in New Taipei City. Staff representatives of the hosting and visiting organization have both benefitted a lot from the face to face exchange of firsthand experience in accessible housing. Read more here.

 

*Caption: Ms. Jin Jin Chang (front row left), Specialist at Eden, shares with Mr. Kenny So, Asssitant Manager of Hong Kong PHAB Association, her professional experience in the field of accessible housing and her expectations of the industry's future development in Taiwan.

Donate! Checks payable to Eden Social Welfare Foundation can be mailed to: Eden Social Welfare Foundation 3rd Fl., 55, Wanmei Street, Sec.1, Taipei, Taiwan 116 Or click here to download and fill out the credit card donation form! *Please allow 2 to 4 weeks for a receipt of your donation

To subscribe, please reply to ieden.info@gmail.com with subscribe in the subject line.

Eden E-news: No. 5 | March 2013

Lend Your Leg with Eden to End Land Mine Suffering



The International Campaign to Ban Landmines (ICBL) is a unique global

network in over 100 countries, working for a world free of antipersonnel

landmines. In 1997, the ICBL received the Nobel Peace Prize together with its

founding coordinator Jody Williams for its work to bring about the Mine Ban

Treaty. Eden Social Welfare Foundation joined the ICBL in 1997 and became

its only member in Taiwan.

On the fourteenth anniversary of the Mine Ban Treaty’s entry into force, Eden Social Welfare Foundation joined forces with the International Campaign to Ban Landmines (ICBL) to call on governments and the public to “Lend Your Leg” to the global effort to end the suffering caused by landmines.
 

Beginning today, the anniversary of the Treaty’s entry into force and running through 4 April–International Mine Action and Mine Awareness Day -ICBL campaigners in more than 40 countries around the world, from Afghanistan to the United States, Ethiopia to South Korea, and Cambodia to Syria, are urging governments that remain outside the Mine Ban Treaty to join immediately and urging all governments to take steps towards achieving a mine-free world including: speeding clearance of contaminated land, providing more and better assistance to survivors, their families and communities, and destruction of all remaining stockpiles of antipersonnel mines. Read more here.

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President Ma Pays New Year Visit to Eden

President Ma is presented with a caricature of him and Mrs. Ma by Mr. Gao,
Wei Feng, an artist with physical disability at Eden.

On February 8, 2013, the day before the traditional Lunar New Year, President Ma of Taiwan visited Eden Social Welfare Foundation Career Training Center for Persons with Disabilities and gave out red envelops to 54 service users for their year-round efforts and excellent performance in various areas including arts and crafts and pottery.

Having helped Eden relocate to its current location in Wan Fang Community in southern Taipei after the Foundation was severely damaged twelve years ago when typhoon Nari hit the island, President Ma was moved to see how much program participants at Eden have progressed and achieved. Mr. Gao Wei Feng, an artist with physical disability at Eden, drew a caricature of president Ma and presented it to him in return for his generosity. Pleased with the surprise, President Ma agreed to cherish it with care. Read more here.

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 Friends of Eden Gathered at 10th Anniversary Memorial Concert for Ms. Liu Xia

The Eden Rejoicing Chorus staged the debut of their latest album, “Heart of
Rejoicing” (translation), with heart-warming lyrics inspired by the writings of 
Ms. Liu, our beloved founder.

To commemorate the 10th anniversary of the decease of Ms. Liu Xia, our beloved founder, Eden Social Welfare Foundation held a memorial concert at the Taipei Nanking East Road Christian Church on February 23, 2013. The Eden Rejoicing Chorus staged the debut of their latest album, “Heart of Rejoicing” (translation), where all the lyrics were inspired by the writings of Ms. Liu, who was also a renounced writer spreading lifetime enthusiasm for faith and altruism with her words throughout the world.

The album marked another breakthrough of the Eden Rejoicing Chorus with its versatile styles of music that distinguished it from its earlier, more solemn ones. Featuring a myriad of genres such as jazz, bossa nova, and classical Chinese, Heart of Rejoicing enchants the audience with the glamour and richness of its lyrics. It is an album full of joy and emotion and encourages every soul to witness Gospel.
 

Donate! Checks payable to Eden Social Welfare Foundation can be mailed to: Eden Social Welfare Foundation 3rd Fl., 55, Wanmei Street, Sec.1, Taipei, Taiwan 116 Or click here to download and fill out the credit card donation form! *Please allow 2 to 4 weeks for a receipt of your donation

To subscribe, please reply to ieden.info@gmail.com with subscribe in the subject line.

Eden E-news: No. 4 | February 2013

Spring Festival Greetings from Eden Social Welfare Foundation Thank you for your year round support.  We wish you a splendid and fruitful new year. Eden Presides at a Talk on How Special Subsidiaries May Increase Employment Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities The talk, presided over by Eden, saw representatives from the academia, public sector, and corporations contribute to discussions of international scale. In December, 2012, Eden Social Welfare Foundation presided at a talk on how the Japanese model of special subsidiaries may help create more employment opportunities for persons with disabilities. With the aim of increasing employment opportunities for Taiwan’s persons with disabilities, the talk, held at National Chengchi University Center for Public and Business Administration Education, saw representatives from the academia, public sector, and corporations contribute to the discussions on relevant legislations and possible practices of both local and international scales.     During the talk, Mr. Joa Song Hwang, CEO of Eden Social Welfare Foundation, remarked that special subsidiaries provided practical alternatives to sheltered workshops, social enterprises, and many other attempts to increase employment opportunities among persons with disabilities. Read more here. Eden Wool Felt Workshop Creates Employment Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities     Hand-made felted soap, endowed with the moisturizing quality of handcrafted soap bar as well as hand and body exfoliator, is a featured product at Eden Wool Felt Workshop. To help people with disabilities in Chengdu, Sichuan Province, obtain economic support and career opportunities, Eden Social Welfare Development Center opened its Eden Wool Felt Workshop in October 2012 at Jinjiang District of Chengdu. Three months to its inauguration in 2012, the career training program of Eden Wool Felt Workshop has succeeded in engaging participants with speech impairments, intellectual disabilities, and hearing disabilities in the production of handmade crafts while persons with visual impairments remain steadfastly a majority of its trainees. A wide variety of handmade artworks of Eden Wool Felt Workshop are attentively made for you to choose from that cater to your different needs. There are wool felt cases that come in different sizes, shapes, and colors for your cell phones, iPads and other handheld electronic devices. There are also wool felt shoes and hats suitable for both men and women of all ages and an elegant collection of wool felt hair accessories for every hairstyle. All items at the workshop are handmade, of limited edition, and designed by local artists, making them ideal gifts for family and friends. Read more here.

Donate! Checks payable to Eden Social Welfare Foundation can be mailed to: Eden Social Welfare Foundation 3rd Fl., 55, Wanmei Street, Sec.1, Taipei, Taiwan 116 Or click here to download and fill out the credit card donation form! *Please allow 2 to 4 weeks for a receipt of your donation

To subscribe, please reply to ieden.info@gmail.com with subscribe in the subject line.

Eden Presides at a Talk on How Special Subsidiaries May Increase Employment Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities

Eden Presides at a Talk on How Special Subsidiaries May Increase Employment Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities

The talk, presided over by Eden, saw representatives from
the academia, public sector, and corporations contribute to
discussions of international scale.

In December, 2012, Eden Social Welfare Foundation presided at a talk on how the Japanese model of special subsidiaries may help create more employment opportunities for persons with disabilities. With the aim of increasing employment opportunities for Taiwan’s persons with disabilities, the talk, held at National Chengchi University Center for Public and Business Administration Education, saw representatives from the academia, public sector, and corporations contribute to the discussions on relevant legislations and possible practices of both local and international scales.

Having enjoyed the legalization of special subsidiaries for more than 36 years, Japanese corporations have succeeded in developing a business model that encourages the employment of persons with disabilities. The Japanese model of special subsidiaries allows the number of employees with disabilities hired by special subsidiaries to be counted towards the quota of employees with disabilities that corporations in Japan are required to reach by the law. This has created a win-win situation for employees with disabilities and employers in Japan and thus presents much value to be studied and adopted by other countries and regions in the world. 

According to statistics, Japan has claimed more than 340 corporations with special subsidiaries hiring primarily persons with disabilities. At the end of 2011, the total number of persons with disabilities employed by special subsidiaries in Japan has amounted to 16,000, a prevailing percentage of which consisted of persons with severe intellectual disabilities.

 

During the talk, Mr. Joa Song Hwang, CEO of Eden Social Welfare Foundation, remarked that special subsidiaries provided practical alternatives to sheltered workshops, social enterprises, and many other attempts to increase employment opportunities among persons with disabilities.