By Ariel Wu | International Social Media Manager
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Years of leakage left more than wet floors behind. Wall mold spread. Furniture was damaged. Air quality worsened. Old appliances and tangled extension cords created hidden safety risks. For a child trying to study, rest, and grow, these were not small inconveniences. They became part of daily life — and for families like Jie's, they often go unaddressed for years.
In Taiwan, the lowest-income 20% of households have spent more than they earned for 18 consecutive years; nearly 60% of vulnerable families meet the definition of energy poverty, unable to afford replacing old, inefficient appliances. Housing insecurity quietly affects a child's safety, health, learning, and rest.
Care That Looks Beyond School Fees
Three years ago, Jie became one of the children supported by The Mustard Seed Mission's Sprouting Dream | Child Sponsorship Program. At first, support began with what his family needed most urgently: sponsorship funds, daily supplies, and regular care.
But through visits and conversations, our social workers saw that Jie's needs extended beyond school and basic living expenses. The home he returned to every day also needed care.
Making Room for Safety
After speaking with Jie's grandfather, our team assessed how the space was affecting their health and safety. Then, a partner cleaning team came alongside Jie and his grandfather — together, they sorted through the living room, cleared damaged items, and began making the space livable again. They also learned how to maintain it going forward.
Work still ahead includes repairing the leaks, treating the wall mold, replacing old wiring, and bringing in furniture to support Jie's learning. This is not about creating a perfect home. It is about giving Jie a safer place to rest, study, and keep growing.
A Future He Deserves
When Jie's grandfather saw the changes beginning, he described it simply:
"It feels like a light has entered this home."
For years, Jie had thought about joining the military after high school, hoping to save money and improve his family's situation. His sense of responsibility is real. But a teenager's future should not have to begin with carrying that burden alone.
Jie put it simply too: "I know this support comes from people who care. When I'm able, I want to give back to others in need."
Through Sprouting Dream, your sponsorship helps children like Jie receive steady support — school funding, essential supplies, social worker care, and when a home needs to be made safer, that too.
Every child deserves a place to rest, study, and grow.
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