Serving New Immigrant Families in Taiwan For More Than Five Decades

Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, Pearl S. Buck Foundation Taipei, Taiwan (PSBFTT) continued to make a difference in the lives of those they serve. Generous contributions, from local enterprises to earmarked funds, provided COVID-19 supplies and daily necessities to 193 families and 317 children. PSBFTT support allowed them to re-engage in social activities safely while ensuring the basic needs of the children were met.

The pandemic also affected PSBFTT funding sources. Support from both the public and private sectors for personnel and administrative expenses has steadily decreased in recent years. However, the planning and execution of social care services, which require the dedication and expertise of PSBFTT colleagues, cannot be replaced by cost-saving measures such as AI. Therefore, they have been exploring new funding sources and partnerships, increasing engagement with the public to sustain operations and services. This has been one of the most significant challenges in recent years. Core services have continued while introducing new initiatives:

• Seventy-four scholarships and bursaries were awarded to students ranging
  from elementary school to university.
• Empowerment Program for Second-generation Immigrants: Thirty high
  school students with an immigrant parent were selected for their academic
  accomplishments and character. These students were granted scholarships and
  bursaries for three consecutive years, encouraging them to pursue their
  aspirations and enhancing their competitiveness for the future.
• Empowerment Training in Hairdressing Skills: Recognizing that many
  primary caregivers in the families supported by PSBFTT are women, most of
  whom held entry-level service industry positions disrupted by the pandemic, it
  is crucial to equip them with professional skills to increase their employability
  and potential to start their own businesses.
• In the era of video marketing, it is imperative to disseminate information about
  PSBFTT services through video content. They have partnered with a business established
  foundation that provided a professional team to produce six
  videos to introduce and promote PSBFTT services and values to the
  public.
  

In March 2023, Ms. Feng Hsien-Mei, the founding chair of the foundation, passed away. Ms. Feng was a pillar of strength and dedication to the Pearl S. Buck Foundation for an astounding 55 years. Initially focused on Asian-American mixed-race children, the mission shifted under her guidance to cater to the needs of new immigrant families. Her efforts not only fulfilled the needs of countless children but ensured the foundation’s stability and growth, setting an inspiring example for our colleagues.