Five Babies A Day Abandoned At Chinese City's 'Baby Hatch,' More Than 260 Unwanted Children Over Six Weeks

by Rida Ahmed from HNGN.com
In just over six weeks, more than 260 unwanted children, most of them babies, have been abandoned in a Chinese "safe haven"-more than five a day-since it opened in late January, authorities said.
The "baby hatch" in Guangzhou, in the southern province of Guangdong, was suspended on Sunday after the city's welfare home exceeded its capacity to handle new arrivals, Agence France-Presse reported.
With 67 percent of the babies being less than a year old, all of those abandoned also suffered from illnesses including cerebral palsy, Down syndrome and congenital heart disease, the Bureau of Civil Affairs of Guangzhou Municipality said.
The facility was set up in late January and 262 children had been abandoned at it by Sunday morning, it said in a statement, according to AFP.
The 1,000-bed welfare home was housing 1,121 residents, with another 1,274 being cared for by foster families, the statement issued Sunday said.
Its quarantine facilities were "not enough to meet the demand" and wards that had previously held 50 children were now caring for 80 to 100, it added.

Operation Santa Claus helps Hong Kong Down Syndrome Association

by Lo Wei from the South China Morning Post:
Little Venus Cheng may not know it, but her parents have faced many challenges since her birth. Venus, now nearly 18 months old, was born with Down's syndrome. She crawls around, plays with toys and gurgles like other young children, but her development is delayed and she needs special help.
"We didn't know much about the condition at first," said mother Rebecca Woo, who found out after the birth that Venus had the syndrome, which affects about one in 600 babies. "We were worried and upset at first. But now it's different - some time has passed and we see that she's healthy."
The family has been receiving assistance from the Down Syndrome Association since Venus was about three months old. In early sessions, Woo and her husband Friend Cheng learned how to massage Venus to strengthen her muscles. She has poor muscle tone, which causes weak motor skills.
As she grew older, she attended sessions at the association's centre to learn various skills. Things that seem simple, like picking up a toy, take a lot of practice for Venus.
Katie Lok Pui-ying, in charge of services for the association, said early intervention was vital for children born with Down's syndrome. The "golden period" for training to help them improve was while they were still babies.

Taipei opens store staffed by people with Down syndrome

By Huang Chung-jung and Jake Chung from The Taipei Times:
The store is the city’s 41st sheltered workshop and is to provide employment opportunities for more than 600 people with the Down syndrome.
The Taipei City Government yesterday unveiled its 41st sheltered workshop with an opening ceremony at the Nangang Exhibition Center MRT station, hoping to provide more employment opportunities for the physically or mentally challenged.
Ai Bu Luo Suo (愛不囉嗦), meaning “love is not troublesome” is the name of the new store, with its English name being “Abrazo,” meaning “to embrace” in Spanish.
The store embodied the spirit of “Abrazo” that “to love [someone] is not troublesome; just embrace [them,]” city officials said.
The store also marked the first joint venture between the city government and the Down Syndrome Foundation of the R.O.C. as the city government has contracted the foundation to manage the store.
Down syndrome is a condition caused by an abnormality of chromosome 21 at birth. While the syndrome sometimes manifests physically — in alteration of the appearance of some facial characteristics or delayed physical growth — it also delays cognitive ability.
The store is expected to provide employment opportunities for nearly 600 people who are physically challenged, Taipei Mayor Hau Lung-bin (郝龍斌) said at the event.
Hau expressed his gratitude to the volunteers who have helped make the store a reality, such as Lien Hwa Co, which provided the store and its employees — consisting of patients with Down syndrome  — with the nation’s first automated noodle maker.
Meanwhile, Taipei Department of Labor Commissioner Chen Yeh-hsin (陳業鑫) said that over the Lunar New Year holidays, there would be a variety of products made by people who are physically challenged.
For example, bakeries under the Children ARE US Foundation will be offering a special package priced at NT$499, Chen said, adding that other products, such as egg rolls, coffee beans, creme brules, chocolates and discounts for stationery, would also be available.
People who are interested can check out www.facebook.com/TaipeiSheltered for more information.