| Tzu Chi Events Around the World | ||||||
Malaysia In early November 2017, flash floods caused by hours of torrential rain resulted in severe devastation in Penang, killing seven people and forcing 6,000 into shelters. Tzu Chi volunteers promptly mobilized to render aid. On November 5, before the floods had even receded, volunteers began distributing hot meals in disaster areas and temporary shelters. Medical volunteers joined in the relief effort by providing free medical care to survivors. After the floodwaters had subsided, volunteers from all over Malaysia put in 8,000 shifts to help clean up flooded neighborhoods. Volunteers also went from door to door to distribute emergency cash cards to affected families to help them through this difficult time. Tzu Chi volunteers in Malaysia hit the streets to raise donations to support the relief effort. Volunteers in Melaka, for example, held over 50 fundraising events at shopping malls, night markets, schools, and scenic sites from November 15 to 18. Donation boxes in hand, volunteers appealed to passersby to give to the flood victims. Many people deposited money into the boxes. One man said that whenever he saw a donation box, he would drop money into it to help those in need. By November 26, volunteers had provided 10,015 hot meals, handed out 5,893 bags of relief goods, distributed cash cards to 5,858 families, and treated 881 patients. Chen Jia En (陳家恩), a victim, said with a sob that the first group that came to their aid after the flood was Tzu Chi. Volunteers came to her home and helped move soaked mattresses, cupboards, and other furniture out of her home. Later, she and her family received a cash card from the foundation. She said that when her family’s financial situation improved, she would donate the same amount on the card to Tzu Chi to help other needy people.
Myanmar Tzu Chi volunteers and members of the Myanmar chapter of the Tzu Chi International Medical Association (TIMA) conduct a free clinic in a different remote village in Myanmar every month. On November 11, such a clinic was offered at Aung Theik Monastery School in Bago Region. Six doctors, eight nurses and 34 volunteers worked together to serve people in need. Villagers living in areas near the temple have to travel a long way to see a doctor. Volunteers hope to save them some trouble by providing free medical care to them. At the event on November 11, a medical worker also gave a talk on health and hygiene to some students at the school. This was the second time Tzu Chi had held a free clinic at the temple school. At the venue, volunteers noticed that many students’ fingernails were long, jagged, and rimmed with black. They knew that it was because the youngsters didn’t have nail scissors and could only chew their nails short. A volunteer took out her scissors and began cutting the students’ nails for them. This shows the type of loving care volunteers try to provide. Dr. Khin Mar Thu carefully examined every patient. She had attended the 2017 TIMA conference in Taiwan in October and learned how other TIMA doctors treated patients with love and care. She returned home with a renewed dedication to serving her fellow countrymen the best she could. Over 400 patients were seen on this day. Having six doctors on hand really made a difference. Dr. Tin Mar Htet said that if there had been only two doctors, the event could have extended well into the evening. But with six doctors, they were able to finish seeing all the patients by two o’clock that afternoon. After the free clinic had concluded, the Tzu Chi team donated some medicine to the temple to further help villagers in need.
United States Tzu Chi volunteers mobilized to help victims after a series of wildfires started in Northern California in early October 2017. Volunteers set up desks at Local Assistance Centers in Santa Rosa and Napa and distributed cash cards to help families affected by the fires. By November 12, Tzu Chi had distributed cash cards to over 1,100 families. Julie, an aid recipient who received a cash card on October 22 at a distribution in Santa Rosa, said, “I can’t even begin to tell you how much it means to me. More than the money...that people care. That meant more than anything to me.” Another victim, JP, received a cash card from Tzu Chi volunteers on November 12 at the Santa Rosa Local Assistance Center. He told volunteers that he had lived in his home for over 40 years until the wildfires rendered him homeless overnight. Even though he had not cried over the loss of his home to the fires, the generosity and love from Tzu Chi moved him to tears on this day. Their support helped rekindle his confidence to keep going and to rebuild his home.
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