Fighting their way out of poverty is a dream that may never come true for many low-income families. Through the assistance of the Taipei City Social Welfare Department, however, a total of nine families were given a chance to realize their dreams by starting their own businesses.
"I've left my job of many years because I need to take care of my children and my mother. Opening a shop has always been my dream, and thanks to the program and help from many along the way, I got to realize my dream and start a new chapter in my life," a single mother surnamed Lai said yesterday in her own fruit-juice bar.
Lai opened the bar by applying to the "Happy Dream" program, organized by the department and sponsored by Taipei Fubon Bank. The program was a business start-up project designed to help low-income families rise out of poverty by providing them with a NT$1 million (US$33 million) interest-free loan and professional assistance from business experts.
Department director Hsueh Cheng-tai (
"Providing these families with not only financial assistance but also professional skills is important for them to improve their living conditions and give a better future to the next generations," Hsueh said yesterday at Lai's bar.
While nine families received assistance from the program, four have failed to keep their businesses. A social worker from the department, Hsieh Yi-jung (
The department did not intend to glorify the program, and, she said starting one's own business is never easy.
"We want to remind the public that starting your own business is actually difficult. You need to be persistent, despite all the hard work running a shop, and be willing to take advice from professionals. A good location is also important for a successful business," she said.
In addition, Hsieh said that applicants need to repay the loan within three years. While the program provided an opportunity, in the end it was the applicants' responsibility to keep the business and fight against poverty, she said.
The program was launched last year and the department encourages impoverished families to apply for assistance.
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