An HIV/AIDS advocacy group thanked the public yesterday for generous donations that would allow it to legally establish shelters for patients suffering from AIDS.
The Harmony Home Association, a well-known organization that advocates for the rights of HIV/AIDS patients, has been running unregistered shelters since 2003 because it did not have the money to change its status into a foundation, a prerequisite for setting up affiliated shelter homes.
The association currently houses 140 people — including children — affected by HIV/AIDS, in six undisclosed halfway houses in the cities of Pingtung, Greater Kaohsiung and Taipei.
“We have been keeping a low profile because we know what we do is not exactly legal,” said Nicole Yang (楊捷), the founder of the association.
“The government has been turning a blind eye to us because, after all, there are not many shelter homes willing to take in HIV/AIDS patients,” she said.
The minimum capital required to establish a national foundation is NT$30 million (US$937,500).
“There were people who gave us their birthday money and funeral money,” Yang said, “and the money showed how kind Taiwanese are.”
The foundation has been raising funds for two years, after it began receiving more low-income patients.
“Many of our residents are unable to work and are abandoned by their families,” Yang said. “We need to provide them with a better environment, which can be done through continuous government subsidies.”
According to Yang, at present, private donations cover 97 percent of the group’s costs, while government subsidies only make up 3 percent.
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