Charity for Expats in Need of Help in Taiwan
Haxstrong is a registered charitable organization that assists members of the International Community in Taiwan.
The International Community in Taiwan includes expatriates living here short or long term and also Taiwanese nationals who have spent time overseas and have returned home. Whether you’ve suffered a serious accident, illness or you’re having a tough time dealing with life in Taiwan, we are here to listen and offer assistance. Consider Haxstrong as your second family in Taiwan who you can turn to in times of difficulty. Don’t be afraid to reach out, whatever you’re going through!
We are here for you and………. YOU ARE NEVER EVER ALONE!
HISTORY
Haxstrong began in 2010 after Gregg Haxton, a Kaohsiung expat from South Africa, got into a very serious motorcycle accident and almost died. After spending 2 months in a coma, Gregg woke up with no memory of the accident and had completely lost all sense of who he was. He had to rebuild his life and find himself again. His friends began a movement in his honor and named it Haxstrong, a play on of his surname. The movement went on to raise important funds for Gregg’s mounting medical costs as well as offering a wealth of emotional support for his long road to recovery. Were it not for the amazing contributions and support of his immediate friends Gregg feels he would not have made it back. Gregg made a full recovery and his mission in life became to carry on the Haxstrong movement to help other members of the international community in Taiwan who have suffered an accident, illness or other pitfall in their life here. No matter what you may be suffering through, you are never ever alone!
We invite you to read the full and moving account of the beginnings of Haxstrong including testimonials from the friends and original founders of Haxstrong and Gregg’s mother.
>> READ GREGG’S STORY
FUNDING
Haxstrong is a registered non-profit charitable organization. We do not receive any government funding. We receive all of our funding from generous donations provided by individuals and corporate sponsors within the community.
HAXSTRONG CAN HELP WITH…..
- Feelings of depression, anxiety, helplessness or loneliness.
- Culture shock and feelings of frustration with life in Taiwan.
- Suicidal thoughts.
- Requests to find English speaking counsellors or psychiatric help in English. Finding this kind of help in Taiwan in English can be difficult.
- People who are staying in hospital because of an accident or illness and they are feeling frustrated or confused with the proposed treatment plan or diagnosis and are not sure what to do.
- Accompanying you to a hospital appointment or other medical checkup/procedure if you do not have someone who can go with you. Sometimes it’s good to know someone else is there to support you during a difficult experience.
- People who have run into financial difficulty paying medical costs and other living expenses because of an accident or illness and are therefore unable to work and earn an income.
- People who feel they can’t turn to their family, friends or co-workers to discuss an issue they are having (health, work, life) and would like to talk to someone in confidence.
- People seeking legal assistance or advice about a range of issues including, but not limited to, disputes with employers or landlords, traffic accidents, divorce and custody of children.
- Immigration issues and advice.
- General advice about living in Taiwan.
HAXSTRONG CANNOT HELP WITH…..
- Loaning you money or helping you to raise funds to pay for damage to property or vehicles because of an accident.
- Being a legal representative or mediator to settle disputes. We will refer you to an appropriate legal professional or individual who can help you.
- Finding a job or accommodation. We can offer advice on where to look and connect you to any resources we have on file, but we will not actively do any searches on your behalf, arrange interviews, viewings or accompany you to view properties.
- Being a reference or acting as guarantor, agent or witness. e.g. for a job, landlord, immigration, tax or in the event of you being arrested or accused of criminal activity.
- Notarization of documents.
- Processing any applications or documents on your behalf. e.g. immigration
- Getting you out of jail.
SUPPORT THROUGH ACCIDENT & ILLNESS
It doesn’t matter whether your condition requires a hospital stay or not, we can be there to support you through your ordeal. We will visit you in hospital or at home and help lift your spirits, bring supplies, groceries or a decent cooked meal (Western style comfort food is often requested!) along with getting you any extra nutritional supplements that may help you with recovery. We can assist with communicating with hospital staff, guide you through Taiwan hospital culture and procedures, and find suitable follow up treatment centers or rehabilitation clinics.
In more serious cases where family or other relatives must fly to Taiwan to be with you (e.g. you are in a coma), we will arrange to meet them, help them get settled in Taiwan and provide them with as much information, advice and support as needed. We can also help to coordinate and communicate with your family in your home country if they are unable to come to Taiwan.
CONFIDENTIALITY
Haxstrong provides a service to members of the international community and all contact with Haxstrong will remain confidential unless we obtain your permission otherwise. If you are experiencing suicidal thoughts, we will only reach out to other resources, namely police and other emergency services if we feel you are in grave danger of harming yourself or others. We will inform you first of any intentions we have to contact the relevant authorities.
In some instances, we may not be experienced or knowledgeable enough to offer you advice ourselves. However, we do have an extensive network of resources we can turn to that will be able to assist you. We can contact them on your behalf and arrange a meeting and accompany you to make sure you get the help you need.