HISTORY
In 1971, the Onesiphorus Polio Home was founded in southeastern Taiwan in the town of Taitung. A serious polio epidemic had affected many aboriginal children in the mountains. As the polio vaccine became more prevalent, the number of polio cases declined. Disabled children with other diseases and children who had been in accidents were admitted. In the year 2001 the last of the polio handicapped children finished high school and left the care of the home.

In 1979 the name was changed to Onesiphorus Children’s Home. Children were admitted who had no physical handicaps, but who came from dysfunctional backgrounds and whose relatives could not take care of them.

In 1994, the first national director was appointed: Daniel Lu with his wife Debbie. In 1999 the USA Board and the Taiwan Board signed a Partnership Agreement. This recognized that because of the improved economic condition in Taiwan, the local people are able to contribute to the operation of the Home.

CULTURE
Most of Taiwan’s twenty million inhabitants are of Han Chinese descent, and the vast majority of its people reside in the densely populated urban areas. Not only has Taiwan seen rapid industrial development over the last half century, there has also been a steady growth of democracy and freedom in the last two decades.

Besides the descendants of those who arrived on the island from the Chinese mainland over the last few centuries, there are also native inhabitants of the island. These mostly reside in the rural, mountainous portions of the island. These aboriginal peoples can be divided into nine distinct tribes, each with its own culture and language.

FACILITIES
The Home is well equipped for education and recreation. The facilities include seven family-style dormitories, a chapel, an auditorium, a library, a computer lab, classrooms, staff housing, offices, a baseball field, a basketball court, an in-ground pool, a weight room, playground equipment, a climbing wall, and a dance studio.

The children live in family-style units where eight to twelve children live with a house parent.

There is also an office in the capital city of Taipei. It’s functions are to visit churches and seek financial support, visit the alumni of the children’s home, and facilitate future mission operations in Asia.

PROGRAM
The Home houses about 80 children. The children receiving Onesiphorus' care are students from kindergarten up through high school. Most of the children are from troubled homes. Some are victims of abuse, and others have been referred to us by the court system after minor offenses. Roughly 85% of the children are aboriginal. At the Home, the children receive love, quality medical care, nutritious meals, and instruction in the Christian faith.

In addition to Daniel and Debbie Lu, about two dozen other nationals are on the staff as house parents, office staff, maintenance crew, and driver. They are joined by missionaries Gene and Shelly Anderson. Gene provides computer instruction, Bible teaching, and special tutoring for the Home’s children, and together Gene and Shelly are actively ministering to the young men and women who grew up at the home and have now stepped out on their own into society through the Anderson Graduate Ministry. (Read more…Anderson Graduate Ministry.)

The Taitung Onesiphorus Children’s Home recognizes that the greatest need of any child is to hold to a living faith in Jesus Christ. To this end, the Home works to present the Gospel clearly and thoroughly to each child. There are weekly worship services, Sunday school classes, youth meetings, and daily devotions in each family unit to provide an environment that will encourage the children to trust Christ and grow in their faith and obedience to Him.

FUTURE
Kids Alive Taiwan hopes to be the driving force behind an expansion of Kids Alive into Mainland China.