Two Mexican nuns have been granted ROC permanent residency in recognition of their contributions to disadvantaged groups and Spanish-language education in northern Taiwan, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Sisters Maria Esperanza Vega Lanzagorta and Alicia Guadalupe Gonzalez Gonzalez were presented with permanent residency certificates by MOFA Minister Timothy Chin-tien Yang at the Mercedarian Missionaries of Berriz in Taipei County Sept. 8.
The MOFA said Lanzagorta and Gonzalez’s selfless efforts earned them deep public respect and helped strengthen Taiwan-Mexico exchanges and understanding. This was only the seventh time for a foreign national to be granted permanent residency for contributions to Taiwan society.
Lanzagorta, 98, has dedicated herself to caring for the poor and the sick since 1935. Arriving in Taiwan on a mission in 1963, she provided medical assistance and daily care to orphans, the handicapped and impoverished families.
Gonzalez, 80, came to Taiwan in 1973 and devoted herself to church service and community work. Over the past three decades, she has helped disadvantaged families to apply for welfare benefits and helped mediate family disputes.
Gonzalez also taught Spanish to Taiwan’s diplomatic, economic and journalism experts at Fu Jen Catholic University in Taipei County between 1979 and 2009.
