Children’s amusement parks are beloved destinations for kids, but for disadvantaged children, they are an out-of-reach dream. According to a recent survey by the Taiwan Fund for Children and Families, nearly 60% of disadvantaged children wish to visit an amusement park with their families, but are unable to do so due to financial constraints. Today, the Taiwan Fund for Children and Families and Taipei Rapid Transit Corporation jointly organized the “Happy Home-Foundation Day” event, allowing nearly 1,300 disadvantaged children and their parents from across the country to visit the Taipei New Children’s Amusement Park together and make their dreams come true.
This year in the fourth grade, Xiao Dian’s father is battling cancer and undergoing long-term treatment. The family of five relies on the meager income earned by his mother through piecework. Xiao Dian has always envied her classmates who could go on trips or vacations with their parents during summer vacation. But the sensible Xiao Dian knows that her family can’t afford it and doesn’t want to add to her mother’s financial burden, so she has kept her wish in her heart. This time, having the opportunity to join her mother and younger sister for the event and visit the Taipei New Children’s Amusement Park made her very happy. Her biggest anticipation is the Ferris wheel: “I hope Dad gets better soon so our whole family can come and play here together!”
According to statistics from the Taiwan Fund for Children and Families, among the 27,194 disadvantaged children and youth families they support, 63% have an average monthly household income of less than NT$20,000. Most are single-parent families, intergenerational caregiving households, or new immigrant families, whose income only covers basic living expenses. Although they also want to take their children to amusement parks or participate in activities, they often have to give up due to costs exceeding what they can afford.
The Taiwan Fund for Children and Families expressed hope that the “Happy Home-Foundation Day” event would allow parents from disadvantaged backgrounds to take a break from their busy lives without worrying about affordability, and to enjoy a joyful family outing—making taking children on trips no longer just an out-of-reach dream.
(China Times)