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

2021 • 04 24 eature Close collaboration From not knowing Tzu Chi to lecturing at Tzu Chi University and taking students abroad for international volunteer services, Emily realized that many of Tzu Chi’s concepts in helping others are similar to those of social work. Firstly, social workers need to establish relationships with the recipients, which is what Tzu Chi stresses about creating a “love deposit” with each care recipient. She exclaimed, “Love deposit, what a wonderful term!” Secondly, social workers emphasize on accountability, because only by taking accountability can they win the trust of others. They need to meet external accountability— people who receive their services, the community and donors; as well as internal accountability—organization head, colleagues, finance and accounting units, management departments, and so on. Tzu Chi on the other hand, collects donations from the public and uses the funds on specified purposes—a practice since its establishment in 1966, which has won the trust of the public. Thirdly, Tzu Chi is able to successfully transform its care recipients into givers. Emily remarked, “This is what social workers do! In fact, it is very difficult to achieve. In social work, we often see people relying on social welfare. However, Tzu Chi managed to do it. This is truly moving and admirable. I saw in Indonesia and Malaysia how Tzu Chi care recipients, with assistance and encouragement from volunteers, progressed from relying on aid to being able to help themselves and others. I think such dignified transformation of life attests to the essence of compassion.” Despite all these, Emily admitted that in the past, people would think that Tzu Chi volunteers were leading the social workers. “This is perhaps because some Tzu Chi volunteers were business owners, so, they spoke in their usual directive tone during home visits.” However, through trainings, the volunteers have learnt to reflect upon themselves, to speak mindfully and listen to care recipients with empathetic ears. Emily said, “Social workers and volunteers in Taiwan are now in a collaborative relationship, joining efforts and sharing resources. For example, when organizing an event, social workers will take care of the planning and volunteers help with site design. Or, when an aid recipient’s house needs cleaning but the social workers lack manpower, the volunteers can then chip in to help.” While giving themselves freely for charitable work, the volunteers actually reap some intangible benefits. They feel the joy of giving and grasp the meaning of life, which in turn, help them to navigate life with greater ease. “Social workers and volunteers are only different in form. To me, what is more important than an educational background and whether one is professionally trained, is inner quality and essence expected of a social worker.” Ameaningful job Emily is a law graduate and one of the pioneers who proposed family mediation model for Taiwan’s courts. In addition to dealing directly with the families concerned, she is also a researcher and trainer in the field. When it comes to this, it differs greatly from Tzu Chi’s model of helping people. As most who seek help from Tzu Chi require financial assistance, they basically welcome the volunteers. In comparison, most cases that end up in court are “involuntary”, and this increases the friction between social