On the Eve of Mother's Day, 2 Foster Children from Eswatini Come to Taiwan, Foster Parents Realize True Companionship

Central News Agency

(Taichung, May 4, CNA reporter Hao Hsueh-ching) On the eve of Mother's Day, the Child Welfare League Foundation today arranged for two foster children from Eswatini to come and meet their foster parent; the two children, with the support of their foster parent, had the opportunity to step out of their original environment through travel, thereby broadening their horizons and accumulating life experiences.

The Child Welfare League Foundation explained that Hsiao Ping-fang, who has been involved in international child fostering for over 3 years, today met for the first time with two foster children from Eswatini, 21-year-old Sinethemba and 13-year-old Bayanda.

Through ice-breaking games, cultural exchanges, and hands-on experiences, the event transformed their relationship from correspondence to real companionship. The children searched for clues about their foster parent during games and showcased their hometown culture through dance, gradually narrowing the distance between them. The two also DIYed carnations to present to their foster parent, and what was most moving during the process were the life stories and innermost feelings shared by the children.

Bayanda, from a single-parent family, was raised by his mother from an early age with a meager family income, but he has always maintained an optimistic and diligent learning attitude, harboring the dream of becoming a doctor; at the event, he even presented a handwritten thank-you letter, stating that this trip to Taiwan was "an opportunity he had never imagined," not only allowing him to experience new cultures and taste different foods but also enabling him to "learn new languages and understand different people," hoping to give back to society and help more children in the future.

Sinethemba, who is already an adult and about to enter university, not only expressed her deep gratitude to her foster parent in her letter but also mentioned that this trip "opened a door she had never thought of," allowing her to explore different cultures and lifestyles; she believes that this experience will change her life perspective, "build stronger self-confidence, curiosity, and independence," and hopes to return to her hometown with a broader mind to contribute to the community in the future.

Hsiao Ping-fang stated that she has long been concerned about the limitations of children's growth environment and hoped to broaden their international horizons through practical experiences. She had originally planned to provide a travel gift for Sinethemba to go to Europe as an adult gift; but she later changed her mind, thinking "rather than letting the children go to the world, let the world come to them first," thus facilitating this opportunity for exchange in Taiwan, also allowing the two children to accompany each other and jointly experience Taiwanese culture and life.

Hsiao Ping-fang shared that since she started fostering in 2022, she had been deeply impressed by Sinethemba through two letter exchanges, saying, "She is a girl with her own opinions and ideas." However, due to family and local socioeconomic environmental limitations, Sinethemba often faced difficulties in affording tuition fees and purchasing uniforms, which affected the stability of her schooling.

Hsiao Ping-fang therefore hopes to provide support within her means, through travel or exchange, to give children the opportunity to step out of their original environment, see a wider world, and thereby broaden their horizons and accumulate life experiences. (Edited by Chen Jen-hua) 1150504

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