Project: Taiwan Migrant Workers Concern
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Mission: Our mission is to evangelize troubled migrant workers (exploited and mistreated Oneida) and demonstrate Christ's love in practical ways, especially during times of difficulties.
- We do visitation at labor concern center. - We have Bible studies. - We hold indoor/outdoor activity followed by a meal. - We visit those who have physical health issues in the hospital. - We pray for them during medical emergencies. - We provide personal items such as toothbrushes, toothpaste, soap, towels, clothes and sandals. |
Description: Project of labor concern in Kaohsiung City, southern Taiwan, started in Summer of 2014, with the intention of evangelizing and showing care to those who have been exploited and mistreated by the companies and/or employment brokers. Through labor shelter, we provide care through regular visitation and indoor/outdoor activities for these workers. Moreover, we provide translation services and basic necessities such as towels, toothbrushes, soap, clothing and sandals. Through our love and care, about 60% of the workers leave shelter putting their faith in Jesus.
Once they leave the center, whether it be a new job or returning to their home country, we still keep on-going contact. For those returning to home countries, we find a way to connect them to a local church. For those allocated to new employments in Taiwan, we also try to connect them to local Christian fellowships. If that is not possible to have a mean of transportation, then we personally drive them to church when they are able to take time off.
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Donation Impact
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With $3,000 a year, we use it to cover expenses of weekly activity. It includes personal necessities' gifts, meals and transportation costs such as ferry, subway etc. In addition, since there are injury and medical cases from time to time, it is our hope that more donations are needed in order to assist victims during crisis.
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Project Report 2016
The grant helps meet immediate and most basic needs of migrant workers. These workers' working status is inactive at the moment due to exploitation or mistreatment of employers or brokerage companies. As they stay at the shelter and wait for new jobs' offer, they have no source of income. The grant buys them sandals, soap bars, toothbrushes, toothpaste, towels, coffee, tea, snacks, weekly meals, telephone cards and ferry and subway's tickets. As care shown in practical ways, these hurting workers have responded in attending weekly activities and church meetings.
There are two main events per week. One event is outdoor activity. The other is indoor meeting which is church service. Averagely, 6 workers attend each event and we usually have them for 3 months at the shelter until new jobs are found. These activities nourish them spiritually, emotionally and physically.
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Workers come to shelter because they are mistreated by employers and brokers. Such as care-givers who take care of elders and children, they work long hours each day and most have no days off. Some are abused by employers and don't get paid enough. Others are arranged to work in illegal and immoral places which are against their own will. Those who work for factories and companies don't get overtime hours paid. And there are those whose legal documents and belongings confiscated by employment brokers and threatened to be beaten. As their lives are taken advantage of, they're troubled and confused, our activities are designed to shine love and hope into their lives. They are encouraged to know that we care for them and God loves them dearly.
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Hoa arrived the shelter upset and disappointed. He paid more than 5000 usd for placement fee in order to come and work in Taiwan. Instead of working in factory as contracted, he was assigned to climb coconut trees to pick coconut. After doing so for 4 months, he couldn't take it any longer. He reported to the labor bureau which helped him get out of that hardship. Finally, Hoa came and stayed at the shelter.
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Though he attended our activities but Hoa was quiet and very unapproachable. He stayed at the shelter more than 4 months but still didn't find a suitable job. During this time, we still cared for him. Finally, he found a job. On the day of leaving the shelter, we picked him up and drove to train station where he rode the train to the new workforce. We followed-up Hoa through phone calls and messaging as we do anyone we can. This lunar new year, he called to wish us blessings. In that phone call, he's very thankful for our lo ve and care shown to him during the time at the shelter. He also shared that God is the one he calls first for help.
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