The Happy Children's Center, a non-profit institution dedicated to the promotion of children's welfare, was established in 1972 in Wanta Road in Taipei city. Each day, a group of young men, comprising eight full-time workers and 100 volunteers, contribute their time and efforts to taking care of less-privileged children.
The full-time employees are in charge of helping the children, coordinating activities, collecting and assorting data and recruiting and training volunteer workers. The volunteers use their spare time to help the children do their homework and engage in instructive and enlightening indoor games, so as to build up their confidence and independence, and lead a more interesting life.
The idea for the Center came to Teng Pei-yu, now its director, 10 years ago when she was secretary to Father Ivo Stuyck, a Belgian priest resident at a Catholic church in Wanta Road. When she heard that the Catholic Kuan Jen Primary School, where Fr. Stuyck was director, had built up a surplus of funds, Teng managed to have the money used to establish the Happy Center as a place where children could receive care, love and guidance.
At first, residents of Wanhua district were suspicious of the aims of the new center, and only 20 children were enrolled. Today, however, after years of dedication, the Center's reputation has been established, and the number of children enrolled has grown to about 300.
Since most of their parents are low-income laborers, the children lack the attention and love which they need to solve all the problems they encounter at home and at school. The young volunteers therefore provide extra-curricular training and organize scholarships for children in need of financial aid.
After they noticed that parental influence on the children was profound, workers at the center decided to teach parents sanitary and hygiene knowledge, and sponsor meaningful social activities.
Programs for the children include summer and winter camps, visits to museums and zoos, and library tours to help their physical and mental development. The workers also tell stories illustrated by puppet and slide shows, and organize debates to stimulate the children's interest.
The center held three service tours in 1977 and 1978 which included visits to several villages in Taipei County.
To celebrate the International Year of the Child, the center cooperated with other organizations to hold a series of activities for some 5,000 children. In organizing the center, Teng has shown extraordinary character and a spirit of sacrifice which have made her a shining example for society.
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