German missionary Sister Monika Gottschild (顧美玲) has been the chairperson of Hualien Bethesda Home for Challenged Children and Adults for a long time. She was granted a permanent residency visa for foreign nationals by the National Immigration Agency. Sister Monika Gottschild has spent thirty-five years in Taiwan. She chose to retire and go back to Germany because of her advanced age. She compared leaving Hualien to leaving home, saying that the kids at the Bethesda Home were the reason she was most hesitant to go.
For 35 years, Sister Monika Gottschild ran Bethesda Home for the Disabled kids.Photo provided by Bethesda Home for Challenged Children and Adults
The majority of the students of Bethesda Home for Challenged Children and Adults are those with autism, Down syndrome, polio, and other various impairments. When Sister Monika Gottschild initially came at Bethesda Home in Hualien, which at the time housed 48 female students, she was 36 years old. Later, it was opened to accept male students and adult students who had nowhere to go as the demand progressively increased the holding capacity.
After finishing their education, Sister Monika Gottschild helps individuals with mild to severe impairments find employment by teaching them how to develop talents and get "bonus money." Sister Monika Gottschild also arranged students for taking care of the the elderly of the Veterans Home and escorted the severely disabled kids on field trips. National Immigration Agency granted Sister Monika Gottschild a permanent residency visa in 2017 due to her dedication to Hualien throughout her youth and her unwavering commitment in providing care for local children with special needs.
For 35 years, Sister Monika Gottschild ran Bethesda Home for the Disabled kids.Photo provided by Bethesda Home for Challenged Children and Adults
Sister Monika Gottschild has been working for students for 35 years, and in order to collect fundraising, she occasionally needs to go to different nations. Sister Monika Gottschild conveyed her appreciation to the Mennonite Christian Hospital for the medical care that they received, the Hualien County Government for their ongoing support, and other generous individuals in Taiwan for their aid. Sister Monika Gottschild is also appreciative to God for allowing her to provide a home for these kids.
