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w w w . o a kv ill eb ea ve r.c o m O A KV IL LE B EA V ER Fr id ay , D ec em be r 3 , 2 01 0 1 6 By David Lea OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF His organization has been helping impover- ished children for decades and recently that help was recognized by the highest levels of the Taiwanese government. Oakville resident and CEO of the Christian Childrens Fund of Canada (CCFC) Mark Lukowski, recently journeyed to Taiwan where he attended a special meeting with Taiwanese President Ma Ying-jeou. During this meeting Ma expressed his appre- ciation to CCFC not only for the work the Canadian organization does to eliminate child poverty, but for helping to create the Taiwan Fund for Children and Families back in 1967. This fund allows Taiwan to deliver aid to chil- dren and their families in 34 countries around the world and to date has helped 115,000 chil- dren of all nationalities. I felt privileged and quite humbled to meet President Ma on behalf of Christian Childrens Fund of Canada, said Lukowski. President Ma, along with Taiwanese sup- porters, are so concerned for the worlds poor and we are grateful that they want to help. Lukowski said while it was amazing to be recognized by a world leader for the work his organization is doing, it was also amazing to hear that Ma has personally sponsored children through the Taiwan Fund for Children and Families, which partners with CCFC to manage a number of its sponsorship programs. During the meeting, Lukowski said Ma pointed out that one of his sponsored children in the Yilan County of Northeastern Taiwan is now studying social work in university and is hoping to become a social worker. Ma understands the joy sponsorship brings to children and how sponsorship can really improve the life of a child in a community, said Lukowski. He encouraged us to continue the work that we are doing because he has seen the impact our work has had on poverty in underdeveloped countries. That reaffirmation is something that continues to energize us as we continue to work with children in poverty. Lukowski said the president also talked about the importance of giving, stating that many years ago Taiwan was in a position where it required aid and the international communi- ty obliged. Now, because of its improved economic sta- tus, Taiwan is in a position where it can help others, something Ma is encouraging his people to do. Lukowski has been the CEO of the Christian Childrens Fund of Canada since April of 2009. A resident of Oakville since 1984, Lukowski has been active in the community serving on the board of Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Halton. Working with children has been my whole life, he said. I really enjoy trying to work with them and encourage them. That brings a lot of joy to me and obviously I get to do that here (at CCFC) as well. Lukowski also said it is a joy for him to take the skills he learned as a business executive and apply them to the humanitarian field. I get excited every morning knowing that my work day will involve working to implement programs and create opportunities to assist chil- dren in the countries we are working in, he said. Im very blessed that I get to do this. For 50 years, CCFC has helped children and families of all faiths break the cycle of extreme poverty by promoting child and community development. This begins with basic assistance and leads to programs that stress self-help and eventual independence. For more information, visit www.ccfcanada.ca. Taiwan grateful for work of Christian Childrens Fund PHOTO COURTESY OF TFCF FIGHTING CHILD POVERTY: Oakville resident Mark Lukowski (second from the left), CEO of the Christian Children's Fund of Canada (CCFC) recently met with Taiwanese President Ma Ying-jeou at a reception in Taiwan held to thank the CCFC for helping to eliminate child poverty.