Taiwan Love and Hope Charity

“Be the Light of Love and Hope” is the motto of Taiwan Love and Hope International Charity (社團法人臺灣愛與希望國際關懷協會). It is an extraordinary and one of the most caring orphanages. Unlike most orphanages, it accepts children other orphanages and society reject. These children are the most vulnerable. They’ve been abused mentally, physically, and sadly sexually. Most of these children come from dysfunctional families, where their parents are incapable of caring for them, due their own struggles. These children have been moved from one place to another, but finally, they’ve found a home at the Taiwan Love and Hope International Charity. They welcome these precious children and provide a safe home for them to grow and develop with the most gentle care, empathy, and most importantly, love. In fact, they reach out and provide charitable services, principally to disadvantaged children and youth, and including their family, if necessary.

The Taiwan Love and Hope Charity provides 24/7 residential caregiving services to children with neurodevelopmental and genetic disorders. Their care is complicated by the children’s low immune system, resulting in the sickness of some of the children. Due to their constant illnesses, they experience fevers, seizures, and even loss of consciousness, requiring immediate medical treatment. It is for these reasons, other orphanages reject these special needs children. Luckily for them, the team at Taiwan Love and Hope Charity is committed to providing emotional and physical support when these children are in dire need of help.

All the children need is a loving home. They immediately begin to recover from their trauma and start to smile again.

Professor Jan Z. Tiangco, Co-founder and Chairman

Taiwan Love and Hope Founding

The Taiwan Love and Hope International Charity was built on love, perseverance, and sacrifice. The founders, Professor Joseph Anthony Narcisco Tiangco, aka Jan, and Anny Tiangco, have devoted their lives to taking care of abandoned, special needs, children. Their undying love and fierce dedication to their cause in the face of many regulatory and societal hurdles are truly inspirational.

Jan and Anny’s story began on May 24th, 2000, their wedding anniversary. They met in the Philippines while Where Professor Tiangco was a professor at the same university Anny was studying for her Master’s Degree. As fate would have it, they married just after 1 month of dating. With the blessing of Anny’s mother and father, ever so gracious, Professor Tiangco moved to Taiwan, where he is an associate professor at the Shu-Te University (樹德科技大學). Professor Tiangco believes that “home is where the heart is,” and he and Anny started a family of three lovely daughters, Natasha, Anika, and Zoe.

The Tiangco Family. From Top Left: Zoe, Natasha, Anika (Coco). Bottom: Jan and Anny.

Yuchen and Mei

Their path took an unexpected turn in 2017, when they met a fragile, 2 year old baby girl named Yuchen, suffering from a severe disability. Instead of getting the proper care she needed, she was shunned by an orphanage, and was later institutionalized in an elderly nursing home. Heartbroken by the lack of care and empathy, Professor Tiangco and Anny decided to bring Yuchen into their home. They work tirelessly to care for the children of the orphanage, while balance work and life. He confides that it’s a tiring battle to manage everything and fight inequitable regulations, but he can’t give up. The children depend on him and Anny.

Their philanthropy would not end there. In 2000, they learned of a 7 year old disabled girl, Mei, at yet another nursing home, who had been there for 5 years, or as Jan put it, “5 years in prison.” Determined to save another soul, they welcomed Mei as a Tiangco. The profound impact that Yuchen and Mei had on the Tiangco’s ignited their passion to help even more children in need. Their heartfelt stories are the genesis of the Taiwan Love and Hope International Charity.

Reflecting on the Challenges

Starting a Non-Profit Organization is a daunting task. This is especially true where many shun special needs, disabled, and abused children. In fact, they have faced harsh criticism for their work, leaving them in tears. Anny recounts a story where a wealthy person suggested it was a waste of time and resources to help these children who would never work and pay taxes, nor contribute to society, and that they belonged institutions with minimal support. According to Professor Tiangco, this belief is widespread. They are the forgotten children of Taiwan. They are invisible to many, and live desperate and neglected lives, where their families will no longer check on them.

It was love that brought Yuchen and Mei into their lives. However, Professor Tiangco and Anny have come across many more children whose story is similar to Yuchen and Mei’s. They hope to change people’s perceptions, and more importantly, change children’s lives. They are bolstered by the growing support of so many caring people who have reached out to help.

Professor Tiangco came to Taiwan because of love. His in-laws showed him unconditional love. Like many Taiwanese parents, they too have made many sacrifices so that their loved ones can have a better life. Professor Tiangco and Anny carry on this torch. In fact, they have sold their property in the Philippines to fund the establishment and operation of the orphanage. They sacrificed even more to get through the pandemic and the lock downs.

They deal with challenges daily, but they believe their love and sacrifices contribute to making Taiwan into an even greater nation, not only for the privileged, but for everyone, including children who at a young age have been abused, neglected, and abandoned.

You Can Help

Professor Tiangco and Anny are on a mission to save more children from the prisons of cold institutions. The Taiwan Love and Hope International Charity cannot do it alone. Professor Tiangco and Anny work tirelessly and make admirable sacrifices to care for the children who may not be able to work or pay taxes whey they grow up, but these children didn’t have a choice.

The Taiwan Love and Hope International Charity is a global and trusted NGO. You can help support their mission, by simply following and sharing their stories. However, if you have the means to give additional support, they welcome your donations. Hopefully, you can help bring smiles and laughter to the children they so much deserve.

Please call or email them for donations or more information about partnerships.
Website: Click here.
Facebook: Click here.
Email: Click here.
Phone: 07-5880517

Taiwan International Balloon Festival 2023

This year, the Taiwan International Balloon Festival will feature 43 balloons, surpassing the 30 balloons from the 2022 event, which saw a record crowd. This year’s event promises to even more extravagant and amazing.

Balloon Festival Information

The festival will start from June 30 and run through August 28. This year’s event will run for 60 days. It is one of the longest hot air balloon festivals in the world. During this time, the sky will be decorated with colorful and unique balloons from all around the world. For example, the will be a balloons depicting Sponge Bob, Hello Kitty, a Frog, British bulldogs, the Yakult yogurt from Japan, et cetera. Even the “TAZ” (Tasmanian Devil) balloon from the United States will make an appearance. There will also be music performances.

The event began on June 30th with a blast, featuring a light show and live performances.

Taiwan International Balloon Schedule

The Taiwan International Balloon Festival will feature 43 balloons from both local sponsors and international teams. The international teams comprise of Thailand, Mexico, United States, Canada, Japan, Brazil, United Kingdom, Czech, and even Ukraine. It seems that Brazil has invested heavily in this year’s event with 11 out of 43 balloons. Also, Japan will be highly featured with 6 balloons. Regardless of where you are from, the festival hopes to unite all cultures and build stronger international relations through the hot air balloons.

Festival Balloon Schedule.

Festival Address

The event is held at the Luye Highland, in Taitung County. The address is 955台東縣鹿野鄉.

Festival Venue Map.

How to Get There

By Train

From Kaohsiung, take the train for “Taitung Train Station” or the “Luye Train Station.” Then, take the East Rift Valley Line shuttle (8168A) to the venue at Luye Highland Station.

By Bus

Take the train to “Taitung Bus Station. Then, take the East Rift Valley Line shuttle (8168A) to the venue at Luye Highland Station.

Shuttle Schedule

The following are the shuttle fare and the timetable.

  • Taitung Bus Station to Luye Gaotai is 125 NTD
  • Taitung Train Station to Luye Gaotai 111 NTD
  • Luye Train Station Luye Gaotai 25 NTD

Fare and Timetable Source: https://www.taiwantrip.com.tw

Festival Shuttle Departure Schedule.
Festival Shuttle Return Schedule.
By car/scooter

From Kaohsiung, drive on Highway 9 to Taitung. At the Yongan Road/ East Rural Highway 33 intersection, turn left until you reach reach Gaotai Road, the venue for the festival. Good luck on finding parking.

Livestream

If you can’t make it to the Taiwan International Balloon Festival, you can watch it live.

2023 Kaohsiung City Christmas Celebrations and More

This year, there are three recommended places to celebrate Christmas. Kaohsiung City presents a market and performances. Also, Pingtung City presents Christmas lights, performances, and snow made from foam. Finally, the Wanjin Catholic Basilica holds its annual Christmas celebrations with lights and nativity scenes.

Pier-2 Art Center and Kaohsiung Music Center

Starting on Christmas day and going through New Year’s Eve, Kaohsiung City celebrations will be hosting a Christmas market and performances at these locations. On Christmas day, the mulled wine will be featured, which is a wine with added spices and served warm, to stay warm during the cold winter.

Christmas in Pingtung

Pingtung City features Christmas lights and snow. The innovative snow is made from foam…you just have to experience the unique show for yourself. It is held in the Pingtung Park, which is near the Pingtung train station. It is held every weekend until January 2nd, 2023.

Christmas Foreign Market

Pingtung is also hosting a foreign Christmas market that features cultural and exotic food and performances.

Wanjin Catholic Basilica

The Basilica, located in the Wanluan District of Pingtung holds annual Christmas lights and Nativity scenes. This is the first basilica in Taiwan and features one of the largest nativity scenes.

Kaohsiung 2021 New Year’s Celebrations

Kaohsiung will be hosting the 2021 New Years in one of the biggest and best celebration in the history of Kaohsiung. The Dagang Bridge will be the site for the main stage with some of Taiwan’s most popular celebrities. Eda World will feature a 10-minute fireworks show. Finally, Cijin’s Sunset Bar offers party tents and fireworks!

Continue reading “Kaohsiung 2021 New Year’s Celebrations”