The world of Tzu Chi Apr-Jun 2023 (Vol.146)

2023 • 06 30 their homeland being struck by a devastating earthquake: They are sincerely here to help.” The very next day, the Turkish Government and their civil organisation AKUT, dispatched a search and rescue team to Taiwan; they in turn successfully rescued a woman in distress in Changhua. Tzu Chi’s actions have hence strengthened the bond of friendship between Taiwan and Türkiye. In the aftermath of the 817 earthquake, Tzu Chi constructed 300 Great Love houses in the epicentre of Gölcük. Furthermore, respecting the residents’ faith, Tzu Chi also built prayer rooms for them. It was during these calamities that I felt compelled to join the cause and became a devoted Tzu Chi volunteer. Following the outbreak of the Syrian civil war, more than three million refugees sought shelter in Türkiye, with many children forced into labour to support their families. In 2015, we set up the El Menahil School, providing free education to the refugee children. At its peak, the school enrolled over 4,300 students. Among the children who have graduated, 265 secured admission to universities, while 70 pursued studies inmedical schools, specialising in medical and nursing-related disciplines. Tzu Chi has turned their lives around. The former mayor of Sultangazi, Mr. Ali said, “There is only one place out of over 800 cities in Türkiye where there are no child beggars, that is, Sultangazi, because all of them have gone to the El Menahil School to study.” In recent years, when Taiwan was hit by Typhoon Nepartak, then the Tainan and Hualien earthquakes, even refugee children donated their spare change to support the relief efforts, and when the Russo-Ukrainian War erupted, they also extended their generosity to help the Ukrainian refugees. Over the past 24 years, Tzu Chi has provided aid to more than 100,000 people in Türkiye, and consequently, many recipients were keen to learn Mandarin in order to convey their appreciation to Taiwan. After the recent earthquake in Türkiye, those who have received aid fromTzu Chi wanted to give back, especially the Syrian refugees and students from the El Menahil School. They also wanted to express their gratitude to Türkiye for hosting them. These 100,000 and more people are the strong supports of Tzu Chi’s relief efforts in Türkiye. While they may not have the financial means to donate, they are willing to contribute with their efforts. Tzu Chi volunteers worldwide launched a fundraiser to support these relief initiatives. The funds came from over 40 countries. Tzu Chi is fundamentally a Buddhist organisation, but it embraces the spirit of Great Love that sees no borders of religions, with help extended to 128 countries and regions around the globe. As a Tzu Chi volunteer and a practising Muslim, I can attest that Tzu Chi has never once asked A relieved smile appeared on the faces of two women affected by the earthquake as they each received a gift card from Tzu Chi. During the emergency period following the earthquakes in Türkiye and Syria, Tzu Chi conducted 40 relief distribution sessions, providing assistance to over 180,000 people. [Photo by Yu Zi-cheng]