The World Of Tzu Chi December 2019 (Vol.117)

2019 • 12 38 Compassion in action Boris Garcia, who hails from the city of Manta and participated in the cash-for- work programme, was deeply moved by the sincerity and kindness displayed by Tzu Chi volunteers throughout the disaster relief mission and aspired to sign up for volunteer training sessions and join their ranks. He was responsible for collating information on the architectural design of the church in the initial phase of the reconstruction project and eventually took over the project following a months-long delay owing to unforeseen circumstances in the previous contractor’s plans. Construction work resumed in April 2018 with the full support of his wife, Elisa Ordonez, who volunteered to do her part for the community of Manta by serving meals to the construction workers. Elisa, Boris and Sister Mercedes, along with volunteer Diana Paola Aveiga, reached a consensus to introduce a vegetarian diet to the labourers. Elisa clarified that the move was by no means a directive from Tzu Chi; rather, it stemmed from their respect for the Buddhist principle of protecting lives that prohibits the killing of other sentient beings. However, Elisa and her team were total beginners in preparing vegetarian meals, which were criticized by the construction workers who complained that the meals were unsatisfying and unpalatable. The team persisted in their efforts and worked assiduously on improving their recipes, besides consulting a chef with expertise in vegetarian cuisine. The resulting vegetarian menu was adapted to local tastes and successfully appealed to the construction workers and the locals, encouraging them to embrace a vegetarian diet. Lorenzo Voltolini, the Archbishop of Manabi, offered his blessings to the church, remarking, “I’m happy because the nuns will finally have a place for them to help other people. It’s not only a physical reconstruction but a spiritual one that is essential for a better town.” He also noted that although the earthquake caused a high number of fatalities and extensive destruction, the local community was able to recover from the devastating aftermath by virtue of Tzu Chi’s assistance and the generosity of the townspeople who embraced Tzu Chi’s efforts. The church pulsed with the lively, exuberant rhythm of Ecuadorian music as the attendees danced merrily to the beat to commemorate the official opening of the church. The joyous atmosphere was elevated by Ramon Rosado and his band of musicians, who performed a medley of songs composed especially for Tzu Chi. Ramon, a Canoa native residing in the town with 30 members of his extended family, was moved beyond words to witness the church rise again from the ruins. The opening ceremony ended on a heart-warming note with the song Una Familia , the Spanish rendition of We Are Family , as the attendees sang along to the lyrics projected onscreen whilst the volunteers led the congregation in the sign-language choreography in an ode to the resilience of the people of Canoa, standing united with Tzu Chi volunteers as a family. The monumental task of rebuilding the church held close to the locals’ hearts had come to a close, but the dedicated volunteers were far from resting on their laurels. Following the unveiling of the church, a team of healthcare professionals from the Tzu Chi International Medical Association (TIMA) conducted a medical outreach clinic in the city of Manta to mark the next stage of Tzu Chi’s humanitarian relief mission in Ecuador, providing medical care to the locals and forging deeper communal ties in the spirit of unconditional compassion. lobal Presence