On October 12, a delegation led by First Lady Lucrecia Peinado of the Republic of Guatemala paid a visit to Tainan City’s privately-run Hongjia Shelter for the Mentally Disabled. They were welcomed by Tainan Mayor Huang Wei-che and both parties exchanged experiences on promoting welfare for people with disabilities.
Mayor Huang remarked that the First Lady’s visit is an acknowledgment of Tainan’s efforts in promoting social welfare. Tainan City has gained many valuable experiences through international exchanges and the City Government team will continue to launch social benefits through public and private cooperation projects to make Tainan a more friendly and livable city. After hearing that First Lady Peinado loves orchids, Mayor Huang also invited the First Lady to return to Tainan in the future and enjoy the orchids.
First Lady Lucrecia Peinado previously held positions at the World Health Organization (WHO), the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). She comes from a medical background and is dedicated to advocating for the rights of children, youth, women, and people with disabilities. Madam Peinado praised that the residents of the shelter for the mentally disabled were respected and well-cared for in every way, and she thanked the Tainan City Government for organizing this visit.
In addition to listening to a briefing, the First Lady also toured the bakery, rehabilitation room, and recreational farm. Madam Peinado happily interacted with the trainees and complimented the shelter for their dedication and professionalism in accompanying and teaching the students with disabilities.