The World Of Tzu Chi(Vol.114).

TZU CHI 114 37 the world, yet Tzu Chi workers (volunteers) from Taiwan were there to deliver breakfast to the children, provide an allowance to the local teacher so that the children could receive education, and work on getting water and electricity supplies for the refugees who have lived in the tents for seven years.” Awandering life When the post was published, a group of Taiwanese Tzu Chi volunteers were all ready to set off to Jordan for a 2-week relief trip starting May 1, 2019. There are two highways that connect the southern and northern parts of Jordan. Off the highways are vast desert areas. Although there are alternative routes, no landmarks could be found on a satellite map. Nonetheless, volunteer Chen Chiou-hwa of Tzu Chi Jordan was always able to reach the suffering people without losing his way in the desert. This includes those living in the Huweyja tent area, which is located about 5.5 km from the Syrian border with only location coordinates and no address. On May 12, Tzu Chi volunteers arrived at the Huweyja tent area after a 3.5-hour drive from Amman, the capital city of Jordan. They were on a mission to conduct a Ramadhan aid distribution, while also holding a Buddha Bathing Ceremony in conjunction with Tzu Chi’s annual triple celebration of Buddha’s Day, Mother’s Day and Global Tzu Chi’s Day. Showing respect The volunteers’ presence captured the attention of some innocent children and several women who kept an eye on them curiously. The head of the tent area, Mariam, however, remained seated on her chair and watched them quietly. Seventy-year-old Mariam, who has tattoos on her serious-looking face, fled Syria in 2012 and had been staying in a refugee camp in Jordan until 2017, when she relocated to rented land to start a new life. Generally, the Syrian refugees have two options – to stay in a refugee camp, where clothing, food, education, medical care and other resources might be available thanks to the United Nations and NGOs from various countries, but under surveillance; or to rent a plot of land from the government, like Mariam’s family, and enjoy priceless freedom, but without any guarantees in their living needs. There were 20 households in Mariam’s extended family when she first arrived in Jordan. Today, the family has expanded considerably and consists of 27 households. They have also

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