Artificial snow wonderland is big hit among families in Kaohsiung this summer

Artificial snow wonderland is big hit among families in Kaohsiung this summer

2024-07-04

An artificial snow wonderland is proving a big hit among families in Kaohsiung this summer. The winter wonderland is currently open at Kaohsiung’s National Science and Technology Museum. It features a snow slide, snow play area and even an icy climbing zone. Children love building snowmen and playing on sledges, while parents and caregivers can enjoy some family fun out of the relentless summer heat.

Children ride sledges down a snow slide, a big thrill. Others make snowmen in this freezing oasis.

But if you look carefully, you can see they’re all wearing short sleeves. This isn’t real snow, but artificial snow at the snow palace in Kaohsiung’s National Science and Technology Museum.

There’s also a three-story climbing zone, where kids can enjoy stretching their adventure muscles. Although the fake snow here is nowhere near as chilly as real snow and ice, this indoor snowy wonderland has still drawn hundreds of parents and children in to get some relief from the summer sun.

Parent
It’s so hot outside, it really is. The kids like playing in the sand, but it’s really unbearably hot at the park right now. So it’s nice to find an indoor activity.

With outdoor temperatures reliably hitting 30 degrees day after day, a fake snow play space like this one is a big relief for children, but perhaps even more so for adults.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Sun to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
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炎炎夏日來這消暑! "仿真雪世界"大小朋友玩超嗨

2024-07-04

夏日炎炎，高雄科工館內有個特別的雪世界，利用仿雪材質以及滑道滑具的設計，塑造出一個比擬雪地的常溫滑雪樂園。雖然體感溫度不像真的在雪地裡那麼寒冷，但室內冷氣房的雪樂園，還是吸引大批家長帶著孩子來消暑。

搭乘雪橇滑下坡來，體驗滑雪的刺激感。還有小朋友在地上堆起雪人，戶外天氣有夠熱，但這裡居然能夠玩雪。

不過仔細看，大小朋友都穿著短袖，原來這些不是真的白雪，而是利用仿雪材質，在高雄科工館打造出來的仿真雪世界。

還有三層式攀爬探索區，讓小朋友玩得不亦樂乎。雖然體感溫度不像真的在雪地裡那麼寒冷，但室內冷氣房中的雪樂園，還是吸引大批家長帶著孩子來消暑。

[[家長]]
“外面實在太熱了，小朋友喜歡玩沙，去公園這種天氣實在受不了，剛好有這種室內的活動”

戶外高溫飆破30多度，冷氣房中的仿真雪地，讓大小朋友在炎熱夏天中，過過玩雪的乾癮。

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With a declining birth rate and an aging population, more people are set to grow old without family support. Yet hiring a caregiver can be challenging. In most cases, it’s contingent on passing a Barthel Index assessment.

Member of public
The first time it was more difficult, because my mother was under 80 years old. They should have relaxed the requirements earlier, and this policy should enter effect as soon as possible. If a caregiver can’t be found, we’re forced to sacrifice their careers to look after our elders. This comes with a huge social cost.

Ministry of Labor says it will further ease requirements for hiring a foreign caregiver. It will exempt three groups of people from a Barthel Index assessment: Those at least 80 years old and who have a long history of medical conditions, who have disabilities due to irreversible medical conditions, or who have disabilities and a history of medical visits in remote areas. The exemption will enter effect as early as September, benefiting 55,000 people.

Wu Hsi-wen
Ministry of Health and Welfare
We will continue to optimize the evaluation process for those who need professional evaluation. Anyone who needs it, regardless of age, can apply for a home evaluation. This also applies to people living in remote areas and people who can’t go to a medical center due to severe conditions.

The health ministry endorsed the change. The Barthel Index requirement has long been criticized for being too strict. Based on the Barthel scale, a higher score reflects a higher degree of independence. To qualify for full-day care, people under 80 years old can score no more than 35 points, or get a doctor’s authorization if they exceed it. People aged 80 and up must hit the Barthel standard for “severe dependency.” As for people aged 85 and up, they must meet the standard for a “mild dependency.”

Chang Shin-fang
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People with physical disabilities or conditions like Parkinson’s or other degenerative motor diseases can apply if the individual is considered to have a severe disability. We doctors conduct a detailed assessment of their condition and their physical state. If we feel that the individual meets the criteria, in principle, we follow the established process to handle their case.

Voice of Wu Ching-ju
International migrant issues researcher
Caring for people with severe conditions requires labor, and not just one person. It’s not something that can be done by one person alone. So what can we do? If we are still not tackling the core issues, how can families in more difficult positions benefit from the loosening of rules?

With an aging population, elder care and caregiver issues are demanding urgent government action.

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He throws balls for them to take a swing. The kids are complete beginners and not yet in their groove, but that doesn’t stop them having fun.

Almost all the children are refugees from Ukraine who are currently in Romania. They’ve found a temporary harbor here, but are still in urgent need of support. The family of Warren Chang, from Taiwan, has set up a summer tennis camp for refugees here in Romania, to give these young people a chance to enjoy sport this summer.

Warren Chang
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I created a tennis camp for Ukrainian refugees in Romania. So thank you so much to all of the donors who donated tennis racquets, balls and even money to fund this camp.

Camp participant
It’s really interesting. We can find new friends and have a good time.

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We started with total beginners, and I hope, after these 10-11 weeks, to see them in the end to play tennis.

The tennis coach is happy to take the learners at a slow and steady pace. For kids whose fathers are in the Ukrainian army, sport can be therapeutic.

Camp participant
Stay in different cities, and now he’s in the military. I don’t know.

Local resident
I prefer my family to be in Romania and safe.

While the horrors of war continue to unfold, ordinary people are reaching out to support each other across national borders. This Taiwanese family’s initiative is helping refugees learn a new skill, and bringing a ray of joy into the darkest hour of these children’s lives.

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AI-powered scan gives insights on stress levels, heart rate, and more

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She looks into the camera and stands still for one minute. She’s not posing for a photo, but getting an AI-powered physical exam.

Tang Shih-ching
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Using facial recognition technology, the AI assessed my health, giving me a rating of 60%, which is just above a passing grade. I can also see my stress index, which is at a normal level. I also got readings on my blood pressure, body mass index, heart rate and more.

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He walks down the runway, sharing his life motto.

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