When Xiao Jie Outgrew His Home

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When Xiao Jie Outgrew His Home

"When it starts raining, we begin worrying about catching the water."

For Xiao Jie and his grandfather, rain was never just background noise. On typhoon days, water could run through their Kaohsiung home like a running faucet, and all they could do was wait, watch, and try to keep the damage from getting worse.

Xiao Jie is now in his second year of high school. Over 180 cm tall, he has started thinking seriously about his future. But the home around him has not kept up with his growth.

Since childhood, Xiao Jie has lived with his grandfather. Their home is small, crowded, and affected by years of severe leakage. Because the only bedroom is used by his aunt, who has physical and mental health needs, Xiao Jie and his grandfather have spent years sleeping in a corner of the living room. His "bed" is a floor mat. His "desk" is a folding table squeezed into whatever space they can clear.

A Home Under Pressure

Years of leakage left more than wet floors behind. Wall mold spread. Furniture was damaged. Air quality worsened. Old appliances and tangled extension cords created hidden safety risks. For a child trying to study, rest, and grow, these were not small inconveniences. They became part of daily life — and for families like Xiao Jie's, they often go unaddressed for years.

In Taiwan, the lowest-income 20% of households have spent more than they earned for 18 consecutive years; nearly 60% of vulnerable families meet the definition of energy poverty, unable to afford replacing old, inefficient appliances. Housing insecurity quietly affects a child's safety, health, learning, and rest.

Care That Looks Beyond School Fees

Three years ago, Xiao Jie became one of the children supported by The Mustard Seed Mission's Sprouting Dream | Child Sponsorship Program. At first, support began with what his family needed most urgently: sponsorship funds, daily supplies, and regular care.

But through visits and conversations, our social workers saw that Xiao Jie's needs extended beyond school and basic living expenses. The home he returned to every day also needed care.

Making Room for Safety

After speaking with Xiao Jie's grandfather, our team assessed how the space was affecting their health and safety. Then, a partner cleaning team came alongside Xiao Jie and his grandfather — together, they sorted through the living room, cleared damaged items, and began making the space livable again. They also learned how to maintain it going forward.

Work still ahead includes repairing the leaks, treating the wall mold, replacing old wiring, and bringing in furniture to support Xiao Jie's learning. This is not about creating a perfect home. It is about giving Xiao Jie a safer place to rest, study, and keep growing.

A Future He Deserves

When Xiao Jie's grandfather saw the changes beginning, he described it simply:

"It feels like a light has entered this home."

For years, Xiao Jie had thought about joining the military after high school, hoping to save money and improve his family's situation. His sense of responsibility is real. But a teenager's future should not have to begin with carrying that burden alone.

Xiao Jie put it simply too: "I know this support comes from people who care. When I'm able, I want to give back to others in need."

Through Sprouting Dream, your sponsorship helps children like Xiao Jie receive steady support — school funding, essential supplies, social worker care, and when a home needs to be made safer, that too.

Every child deserves a place to rest, study, and grow.

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