The World Of Tzu Chi(Vol.114).

2019 • 09 38 gradually expanded their living space from tents to brick houses. There are grapevines and a sheep pen at the front and back of their houses respectively – evidence that they are progressively rebuilding their homes though life remains tough. Mariam is a mother of 11. When the volunteers were decorating the venue for the Buddha Bathing Ceremony, her sons returned home from work. They gave their mother a peck on the cheek as soon as they alighted from the car. When the Ceremony commenced, the elders in the family led everyone in praying with sincere piety. Their respect for the elders was reflected in their actions. Breaking fast at sunset The volunteers were greeted by a beautiful sunset before they proceeded to conduct an aid distribution for over 140 people from 27 households. It was pitch dark as night fell, save for the five solar lights Tzu Chi presented to the families and car headlights. After the first evening aid distribution in Jordan had concluded, Mariam’s son played some music, and the kids began to dance to the lively rhythm. The women also joined in the dance, and the volunteers soon learnt the dance steps. Everyone enjoyed a carefree moment in the peaceful starry night. Following that, two adorable children performed a skit with the key message that one should not deceive others and must always be honest and upright. Their teacher was Khadja, Mariam’s 30-year-old youngest daughter. Khadja had been accompanying the kids in her family to school since 2017. Besides tutoring the kids Volunteers conducted the Buddha Bathing Ceremony and Ramadhan aid distribution at Mariam’s house in Huweyja tent area. [Photograph by Wang Jin] lobal Presence