Interview

To better understand the Genesis Social Welfare Foundation’s contributions to society, its meaning, and its future plans, we interviewed Ms. Li. The following is the written record of our interview. 

Q1:  當初創立創世基金會的初衷是什麼？

        What inspired the founding of Genesis Social Welfare Foundation? 

A1: 創辦人曹慶原本只是個台糖退休的小職員，發現全台並沒有專門安養照顧植物人的機構，在沒有政府和企業人士資助下，他一步一腳印跑遍全台各地大小鄉鎮，以勸募的方式，集資成立了全國唯一一家專門照顧植物人的社福機構－財團法人創世社會福利基金會。

     The founder, Cao Qing, was a retired worker from Taiwan Sugar Corporation. He found that there was no place in Taiwan that took special care of people in a vegetative state. Without help from the government or companies, he traveled around Taiwan to ask for donations. Step by step, he raised enough money to start Genesis Social Welfare Foundation, the only organization in Taiwan that focuses on caring for vegetative patients. 

Q2: 「照顧植物人」這個使命在台灣社會中扮演什麼樣的角色？

        What role does caring for vegetative patients play in Taiwanese society? 

A2:  安養一位植物人，等於安穩了一個家庭，讓植物人獲得妥善的照顧，使其家人可以安心持續就學、安心工作，植物人家庭可以正常運轉，不因長期照顧、經濟負荷壓垮。

      Taking good care of one vegetative patient means helping one whole family. When the patient is well cared for, their family members can feel at ease to keep studying and working. The family can live a normal life and will not be crushed by long-term care or heavy financial pressure. 

Q3: 創世和其他慈善團體（如伊甸、弘道、華山）最大的不同或特色是什麼？

     What makes Genesis different from other charity organizations, such as Eden Social Welfare Foundation, Hondao Senior Citizens' Welfare Foundation, and Huashan Social Welfare Foundation? 

A3: 創世基金會是全台唯一專門照顧清寒植物人的社福機構，40年來，堅持守護弱勢植物人家庭，秉持著「救一個植物人，等於救一個家庭」，提供安養服務及到宅服務。

    Genesis Social Welfare Foundation is the only social welfare organization in Taiwan that takes special care of low-income vegetative patients. For over 40 years, it has continued to support these families in need. With the belief that “saving one vegetative patient means saving one family,” the foundation provides both long-term care services and   home care services. 

Q1: 目前桃園分院裡的安養院照顧多少植物人？

     How many vegetative patients are currently being cared for at the Taoyuan Branch Nursing Home?

A1: 45位

      45.

Q2: 安養院中的照護人員背景為何?

       What backgrounds do the caregivers in the nursing home have? 

A2: 護理人員具有護理師執照，生服員具有生活照顧服務相關訓練結業證書，並且每年接受專業教育訓練課程至少20小時。

      The nurses have nursing licenses. The care assistants have certificates from life care training programs. They also take at least 20 hours of professional training every year. 

Q3: 照顧安養院個案的過程當中，最困難的事情是甚麼？

      What is the most difficult part of taking care of patients in the nursing home? 

A3: 因為植物人不會說話、不會表達，需有細心和敏銳的觀察力，觀察院民身體變化，是否有不適，需 安排就醫。而且院民不會自主動作，所以完全需要工作人員協助2小時翻身及更換尿布，更是需要充沛的體能。

      Vegetative patients cannot speak or express their feelings, so caregivers must be very careful and observant. They need to watch for any changes in the patients’ bodies and take them to see a doctor if something seems wrong. Also, the patients cannot move by themselves, so staff members must help them turn over and change diapers every two hours. 

Q5: 你有印象最深刻的服務對象或故事嗎？

    Do you have a patient or story that left the biggest impression on you? 

A5: 與到宅護士訪視路途中，發現有獨居長者臥床，且環境惡劣，個案因經濟困難拒絕就醫。到宅護士隨即帶領我和義工，協助清潔整理住家環境，並連繫社工提供資源連結，最終讓個案順利就醫並住院治療。

    On the way to visit a patient at home, we found an elderly person living alone, bedridden, and in a very bad environment. Because of financial problems, the patient refused to go to the hospital. The home nurse led me and the volunteers to help clean and organize the house. We also contacted a social worker to connect the patient with resources. In the end, the patient was able to go to the hospital and receive treatment. 

Q4: 家屬在面對長期照護壓力時，基金會會提供哪些支持？

      What support does the foundation give to families under long-term care pressure? 

A4: 社工會耐心傾聽並給予心理上的支持，並每年至少一次辦理紓壓相關的親子活動。

     Social workers listen patiently and give emotional support. The foundation also holds at least one stress-relief family activity every year. 

Q1: 請問桃園分院現在有多少義工?

       How many volunteers does the Taoyuan Branch have now? 

A1: 目前大約有10-20位長期義工，企業及學生義工會不定期參與手作及街募等活動。

      Right now, there are about 10–20 long-term volunteers. Company and student volunteers also join from time to time for activities like crafts and street fundraising. 

Q2: 義工的主要工作為何?

     What are the main tasks of the volunteers? 

A2: 整理發票、手作文宣、到宅服務、協助義賣及活動等。

    They organize receipts, make crafts and flyers, visit patients at home, and help with charity sales and events. 

Q3: 你們怎麼鼓勵其他人一起參與這樣的服務？

    How do you encourage others to join this kind of service? 

A3: 只要我們有心，每個人都是一份善的能量，發揮自己一點影響力，就能行善、做好事，一起幫助植物人及其家庭。

   As long as we have a good heart, everyone can be a small force of kindness. By using a little bit of our own influence, we can do good things and help vegetative patients and their families together.  

Q1: 創世基金會目前主要的資金來源有哪些呢？

    What are the main sources of funding for the Genesis Foundation now? 

A1: 九成安養經費仰賴於社會大眾的捐助、中獎發票收入，以及辦理愛心義賣活動；一成安養經費來自於政府補助。

   About 90% of the money for caring for patients comes from donations from the public, winning lottery receipts, and charity sales. The other 10% comes from government support. 

Q2: 目前的經濟景氣狀況，是否會影響募款？

    Does the current economic situation affect fundraising? 

A2: 近來整體物價持續上漲，導致通貨膨脹現象，百工百業皆面臨嚴峻考驗，弱勢家庭更是苦上加苦。植物人家庭、窮人、老人、單親家庭等社會最脆弱的一環，正艱辛度日。照顧清寒植物人家庭的創世基金會，雖身處危機，護理人員與團隊仍堅守崗位、咬牙苦撐。 

   Recently, prices have been rising, causing inflation. Many businesses face big challenges, and low-income families are struggling even more. Families with vegetative patients, the poor, the elderly, and single-parent households are among the most vulnerable in society and are having a hard time. Even though the Genesis Foundation is also facing difficulties, the nurses and team members still stay at their posts and keep working hard. 

Q1: 想請問，創世基金會桃園分院接下來有什麼新的計畫或想做的事情嗎？

      Does the Genesis Foundation Taoyuan Branch have any new plans or things they want to do? 

A1: 創世基金會長期照顧植物人與重度臥床者，對長期臥床的植物人而言，每天從早到晚，他們的視野都被固定在同一個角度裡，看不見窗外的藍天，為了讓院民能安全、無痛、有尊嚴地被照顧，我們正推動「懸吊式電動移位設備」，期盼藉由企業與社會力量，共同打造更安全、更人性的照護環境。

     The Genesis Foundation has been taking care of vegetative patients and people who are bedridden for a long time. For them, every day from morning to night, they can only see the same corner and cannot see the blue sky outside. To make sure they are cared for safely, without pain, and with dignity, we are promoting a “suspended electric transfer system.” We hope that with the help of companies and society, we can create a safer and more humane care environment.

Q2: 有沒有考慮和政府或其他國際機構合作？

    Have you thought about working with the government or other international organizations? 

A2: 創世基金會一直積極與政府合作，並接受主管機關的指導與監督未來也期待能拓展至國際。 

   The Genesis Foundation has always worked actively with the government and follows guidance and supervision from the authorities. In the future, we also hope to expand and cooperate internationally.