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

TZU CHI 133 23 for government rewards. Nonetheless, there are many volunteers in Taiwan who are not covered by the volunteer service law, such as, Tzu Chi volunteers. “Tzu Chi provides a lot of trainings for volunteers. The volunteers are engaged in social work and help resolve family issues in the community. They are a great force.” Emily is often invited to give trainings to local and overseas Tzu Chi volunteers. In early 2019, she even came to KL Tzu-Chi Jing Si Hall to give a “home visit education training” for Tzu Chi volunteers involved in home visits. For her, whether it is a training for social workers or volunteers, both train people, and she hopes to make them professionals in their work. Emily said, “Of course, social workers and volunteers have different backgrounds and learnings. I will customize my training according to their capability. Although the ways they operate are different, they are both an art of helping others. The work of helping others is very abstract. Different people handle different cases in different ways and produce different results. While students trained in social work are equipped with basic knowledge of social work, volunteers often have rich life experiences, good character traits and a strong will to help others. This is the beauty of volunteers.” We should cherish the volunteers because despite having a day job, they are willing to contribute their money, time and effort from the heart, and on a voluntary basis. Having interacted with volunteers from many different units, Emily commented, “Tzu Chi volunteers are truly amazing!” The greatest asset of Tzu Chi is its manpower. How does Tzu Chi manage to turn its care recipients from receivers to givers? Emily observed that this is attributable to the continuous care from volunteers, which is achieved through team work. She said, “This is beyond the reach of social workers. Due to manpower limitation, sometimes, social workers can only extend their care to the family concerned once a month, and may not be able to truly grasp the actual situation of the family.” In Tzu Chi’s case, even certified volunteers continuously improve themselves through their experience, practices and training. Such organizational culture also allows the volunteers to keep learning as they handle care recipient cases. For example, how to communicate effectively and adjust their own mindset? Emily remarked, “I see they have a strong will to learn and the ability to self-reflect. Hence, I am more than willing to cooperate with volunteers and social workers of Tzu Chi Malaysia and Singapore. I look forward to us being more professional in carrying out charity work.” Associate Professor Emily Yueh-Mi Lai (right) was at KL Tzu-Chi Jing Si Hall in 2019 to share with the volunteers the topic of communication skills. She also encouraged them to see things from different perspectives and empathize with others. [Photo by Lim Chin Shein] The ‘Big Dipper’ – Social Workers