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Roots-Finding Program

Over the past forty years, countless adoptees from various countries have returned to Taiwan, hoping to reunite with their birth families or learn more about their place of origin. Cathwel Service has been continuously providing roots-finding services for decades to meet the needs of adoptees. Currently, Cathwel Service offers two types of roots-finding programs: the Group Roots-Finding Program and the Individual Roots-Finding Program.

 

Group Roots-finding Program

Since 2006, Cathwel Service has been committed to helping adoptees explore their birthplace, Taiwan, through appropriate arrangements that allow them to learn about the culture, customs, society, and way of life. During the program, adoptees also have the opportunity to reconnect with their birth families based on their wishes.

  • Program Duration: 2 weeks during summer break

  • Number of Participants: Approximately 12 people per year (aged 18-25)

  • Accommodation: Provided at Cathwel Service’s facility

  • Application Process: Cathwel Service releases application information every December in Newsletter-Lumen. Interested individuals can find the details on our website.

  • Program Highlights: This program provides adoptees who are curious about Taiwan with the opportunity to visit their birthplace, deepen their understanding of the country, and interact with fellow adoptees. Key highlights include:

  1. Engage in meaningful volunteer work at Jonah House to gain insight into the work of Cathwel Service while giving back to the agency.

  2. Appreciate the beauty of Chinese calligraphy and learn basic Mandarin through language courses.

  3. Explore Taiwan's folk festivals and unique traditional crafts, such as glove puppetry, wood carving, pottery, and traditional opera.

  4. Take historical tours, such as visiting the Lin Family Mansion and Garden (a traditional Chinese garden), Sanxia Zushi Temple (a prominent temple), and the National Palace Museum (for ancient cultural relics).

  5. Enjoy Taiwan’s vibrant local life by tasting street food at night markets and visiting popular destinations such as Taipei 101, Shilin Night Market, and the Gongguan shopping district.

  6. Visit iconic tourist destinations across Taiwan.

  7. Reconnect with birth families through arrangements made by Cathwel Service, fulfilling adoptees’ hopes of reunion and strengthening their sense of self-identity.

 

Individual Roots-finding Program

Based on the adoptee's wishes and expectations (for minors, parental consent is required), we assist in locating their birth family and arrange for a reunion.

  • Service Details:

  1. Assist adoptees in completing the application and questionnaire to help them better understand their background and clarify their expectations for a reunion.

  2. Before arranging the reunion, collect and confirm the expectations of both the adoptee and the birth family, assess potential pressures and difficulties during the meeting, and make preparations for the encounter.

  3. Arrange the reunion, provide on-site support, and offer translation services.

  4. Assist with follow-up meetings and communication after the reunion, help both parties build mutual understanding, and provide ongoing support as needed.

  • Application Guidelines:

  1. Fill out the Application Form and Questionnaire.

  2. If the adoptee is applying for the first time, they must submit the Application Form and Questionnaire to roots@cs.org.tw at least 6 months before their arrival in Taiwan. For a second-time or any subsequent applications, the Application Form must be submitted at least 3 months in advance.

  3. The adoptee or adoptive parents should confirm availability with Cathwel Service before booking flight tickets and accommodations.

  4. The Questionnaire is an essential tool for social workers to assist adoptees and their families. Whenever possible, adoptees and adoptive parents should complete it separately. We strongly recommend that the adoptees over 16 years old fill it out independently.

  5. While Questionnaires completed by both adoptees and adoptive parents are highly encouraged, in cases involving critical issues, adoptees over 18 years old may be exempt from requiring a Questionnaire from their adoptive parents.

 

For adoptees or adoptive parents unsure about which program—Group Roots-Finding or Individual Roots-Finding—would be a better choice, please refer to the comparison below:

Item

Group Roots-Finding Trip

Individual Roots-Finding Trip

Application Period

The registration date is announced every December in Cathwel’s Newsletter, Lumen.

(You can visit our website to view the Newsletter.)

Adoptees may plan their own schedules outside of the Group Roots-Finding period. Cathwel assists with preparation for meetings.

Age of the Adoptee at the Time of Application

18-25 years old.

No age restriction.

Travel Time

The event is held annually between July and August (lasting two weeks). Cathwel arranges meetings with birth families for adoptees in need and assists with itinerary planning during this period.

Adoptees are responsible for arranging and planning their own trips at any time. Cathwel arranges meetings with birth families or visits to Cathwel, depending on the adoptee’s needs.

Participants

Only adoptees can participate.

Other family members or friends of the adoptee may join.

Travel Expenses

Except for meals and accommodation, which are covered by Cathwel, all other expenses are borne by the participants.

All travel expenses are the responsibility of the adoptee.

Restrictions

- Maximum of 12 participants per year.

- Meetings with birth families: Cathwel will try to avoid scheduling conflicts with activity times and accommodate the birth family's availability. Adoptive family members may participate in meetings, but not other group activities.

- Maximum of 3-4 participants per month, depending on the social worker’s caseload.

- Meetings with birth families: The meeting time must align with both the birth family and social worker’s availability (at least two half-days for the meeting). It is recommended to avoid Taiwan’s holidays and weekends, though the schedule will ultimately depend on the needs of the birth family.

檔案下載reunion-or-roots-finding-application.pdf
檔案下載Questionnaire-about-root-finding-for-Cathwel.pdf