Vice President Annette Lu (呂秀蓮) called on the public yesterday to help the children of unemployed parents by joining an adoption program that provides children with monthly financial support so they may continue their schooling.
Lu made the appeal yesterday at a press conference sponsored by the Chinese Employment Association (
"While it is the government`s responsibility to combat the problem of unemployment," Lu said, "everyone should work together to show that we care about these unemployed, struggling families.
"I hope that by participating in this meaningful program, the public can help eliminate the financial obstacles faced by the children of unemployed families."
The goal of the adoption is to provide financial aid to poor children from struggling families to offset school fees and living expanses, according to Alex Chang (
Chang said that every adopted child would get NT$3,000 a month for six months.
"By then, if the financial situation of the child's family is still insuficient," he said, "the child can apply again for another half year of adoption.
"This adoption program's financial support ensures these poor children receive schooling just like other children do," said Lu.
"The soaring unemployment rate in Taiwan has resulted in the inability of many unemployed adults to pay for their children's schooling.
"In fact, currently there are more than 120,000 children on the verge of discontinuing their schooling due to financial difficulties faced at home."
Taiwan's unemployment rate climbed from 5.26 percent in September to 5.33 percent in October. That was the highest since the government began compiling figures in 1978, and the 14th consecutive increase.
Chang said that in addition to helping children of unemployed families, the program also targets poor youngsters whose families "are incapable of providing financial support for the kids' schooling."
"For example," Chang said, "youngsters from single-parent families, minority families, or those whose parents are seriously handicapped, seriously ill or are both deceased."
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