The world of Tzu Chi April 2021 (Vol.133)

2021 • 04 20 eature Translated by Lee Hui Yieng E mily Yueh-Mi Lai, Associate Professor cum Chairperson of the Department of SocialWork, Tzu Chi University, has a powerful voice despite her petiteness. Her joyful energy which radiated through the international call sounded comforting. Her amicable and pleasant disposition is perhaps due to her rich experience in social work. Social work is always about people, and hence, involves human touch. When Emily was studying law at a university, she joined a student community club, going to rural areas helping indigenous children. She also volunteered as a court guardian and was a member of the Taipei Youth Counselling Committee in Taiwan. Through these experiences, she discovered her interest in doing works that help others, and hoped to pursue it as her career. She then took up postgraduate studies related to social work, and is now an Associate Professor in social work. Besides lecturing, she has never stopped Complementing each other Both social workers and Tzu Chi volunteers require skills to help others. Social workers need to establish relationships with aid recipients; volunteers need to create a ‘love deposit’ with each care recipient. Social workers help aid recipients to stand on their own two feet; volunteers help transform care recipients from receivers to givers. Social workers need to have accountability, take responsibility and gain trust internally and externally; Tzu Chi collects donations from the public and uses themon specified purposes—a practice since its establishment in 1966.