An old chicken coop becomes a care center for new immigrants and disadvantaged children: Chiayi County magistrate accompanies children to celebrate the Year of the Snake by cutting paper around the fire
The "Siloam Holistic Care Association" located in Fanlu Township, Chiayi County was founded by Ma Min and her husband Chen Jiaqing from Henan, China. It is dedicated to helping new immigrants, disadvantaged children and rehabilitated people. On January 12, County Mayor Weng Zhangliang visited the association in person to spend time with the children and welcome the upcoming Chinese New Year.The original site of the association was an old chicken coop. After being renovated by Ma Min and Chen Jiaqing, it became a bright and warm service space. It is also one of the children's bases of the Chiayi County Government's "Protecting Family Little Satellites" program. Currently, the location serves 15 elementary school students and 10 junior high school students, 12 of whom are second-generation new immigrants. Ma Min said that there are many new immigrants and grandparents in Fanlu Township, and parents are often too busy to take care of their children due to work, which leads to their children becoming addicted to the Internet. In the four years since its establishment, the association has provided children with learning space and growth support through public-private partnerships.On the day of the event, County Magistrate Weng Zhangliang and County Councillor Zhuang Junjie accompanied the children in cutting paper and pasting Spring Festival couplets, and distributed red envelopes and stationery gift packs for the Year of the Snake to let the children feel the festive atmosphere. Weng Zhangliang praised the association's contribution to the local area, and personally tasted the Yunnan-style cuisine at the "Mountain and Lakeside" restaurant founded by the association, giving it high praise.County Magistrate Weng Zhangliang and County Councillor Zhuang Junjie accompanied the children in paper cutting and pasting Spring Festival couplets, and distributed red envelopes and stationery gift packs for the Year of the Snake (Photo/Reproduced from the Chiayi County Government website)The Chiayi County Social Affairs Bureau said that since 2019, 24 small satellite bases have been established in 18 towns and cities in the county, serving more than 1,600 households, and the Siloam Association is one example. The county government will continue to provide support in the future, hoping that more disadvantaged children will benefit and usher in a better future.