The World Of Tzu Chi(Vol.115).

TZU CHI 115 33 block crashed to the ground right before his eyes – all within a matter of seconds. The four major blocks housing 85 classrooms were either completely or partially destroyed. Ten students, in addition to several other teachers and parents, lost their lives to the disaster. Prioritizing education More than 1,500 schools suffered damages in the disaster, with 293 among them warranting reconstruction. Considering the potentially substantial restoration costs and the interruption caused to lessons in schools island-wide, the Taiwanese government sought to collaborate with non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to enable the disaster-hit schools to resume operations as soon as possible. Out of the 108 schools earmarked by the government for funding by NGOs, Tzu Chi adopted 51 schools under Project Hope, including Tu Cheng Elementary School, whose restoration costs were estimated to amount to NT$600 million. With the future prospects of the younger generation at stake, Master Cheng Yen emphasized the urgency of the project so as not to compromise on education, as young minds are susceptible to complacency if left idle for too long. In order to ensure the sustainability of the project, the Master devised three fundamental principles that govern its planning and execution: the schools are to be built from steel-reinforced concrete; eco-friendly features and a water reclamation system are to be incorporated in the structures; and the buildings are to be rendered in a design that facilitates natural lighting and ventilation. These architectural standards are now the norm in modern school buildings, but were considered ahead of its time when they were integrated into Project Hope schools 20 years ago, setting the bar for future school construction projects. Project Hope was made possible with technical and creative input from 26 architecture firms, overcoming challenges with innovative solutions to build schools that stand the test of time. Built with love As the school reconstruction efforts were in progress, the students in disaster areas carried on with their lessons, albeit in less favourable conditions. In an effort to relieve the students’ trauma, Tzu Chi initiated a programme to offer emotional support to students who were physically injured or emotionally scarred by the disaster. The programme was driven by members of the Tzu Chi Teachers’Association who provided counselling services to the students and tutored them in their studies. The students also received assistance from generous, kind-hearted souls who willingly sponsored food supplies and nutritional supplements. By early 2001, numerous Project Hope schools were already nearing completion. To expedite the process, the Tzu Chi Construction Unit charted landscaping plans for each school and assigned them to Tzu Cheng Faith Corps members from all over Taiwan. Volunteers, regardless of their level of landscaping expertise, supported the cause by undertaking landscaping tasks that were both time-consuming and labour-intensive, such as applying wall finishes, planting greenery and paving interlocking concrete tiles. The fruits of investing in education are reaped throughout many generations to come, as a sound education sows the seeds of lifelong learning and leaves a lasting impact on budding minds, nurturing well-rounded individuals who contribute to a better society. Revisiting the 1999 Jiji Earthquake