The world of Tzu Chi April 2020 (Vol.121)

TZU CHI 121 35 Local News As Tzu Chi Taiwan commemorates the 30th anniversary of its Mission of Environmental Protection this year, Tzu Chi Malacca enters its 25th year in the same domain. On March 1, 2020, Tzu Chi Malacca conducted its first training session for probationary volunteers; the occasion also marked the commencement of a campaign in conjunction with Tzu Chi’s 30th year of environmental protection efforts. Over the decades, Tzu Chi volunteers have been actively involved in environmental conservation work, in addition to raising environmental awareness by engaging with the public in schools and night markets. Furthermore, Tzu Chi has formed collaborations with various organizations to reduce the use of plastics and promote vegetarianism. This year, the organization plans to organize a series of environmental protection initiatives in conjunction with World Earth Day to alert the wider public of the importance of environmental protection, led by volunteers who are striving to inspire the public to reflect on environmental sustainability. Malacca 2020.03.01 Reported by Low Siew Lian, Ngow Yoon Yoon & Chua Seng Huat Photograph by Yong Siew Lee On the evening ofMarch 9, 2020, a violent rainstorm lashed across the Taman Puteri Wangsa township situated in Ulu Tiram, Johor, destroying numerous houses in its trail. Tzu Chi volunteers arrived in town the following morning to offer consolation to the affected households and evaluate the aftermath. The volunteers discovered that the storm had ripped the roofs off five houses in the neighbourhood, besides causing considerably severe damage to the ceiling. After due assessment, the volunteers decided to distribute emergency financial assistance worth RM300 each and thermal blankets to five affected families. One of the casualties was touched by the kind gesture in a time of hardship: “The monetary aid eases my burden as it helps to alleviate the repair costs and affords my children a proper room to sleep in.” Sunshine after the Storm Ulu Tiram 2020.03.10 – 03.11 Reported by Tsze Hut Sea Photograph by Chong Lih Jiun Thirty Years and Counting of Environmental Conservation Efforts