A Volunteer’s Visual Journey With Tzu Chi

Narrated by Chen Rong-feng
Interviewed and written by Lin Mei-hong
Abridged and translated by Wu Hsiao-ting
Photos by Chen Rong-feng

I’ve loved taking photos since my teenage years. After joining Tzu Chi, I kept growing my photography and videography skills, eventually venturing into aerial imagery. My goal is simple—I want to use my skills to capture the beauty and goodness of the world.

—Chen Rong-feng

Photo by Lin Mei-hong

I have been curious about “new” things since childhood, especially when it comes to electronic products and devices. In elementary school, I even dismantled a radio my dad bought to study its inner workings. During high school, I developed a fascination with cameras. I recall waking up one morning at two to capture the school gate, using a B shutter speed for 20 seconds. In the interplay of moonlight and car lights, the majestic school gate showcased the beauty of a dignified academic institution. I submitted the work to an intramural competition and won first place.

Time flew quickly after high school. My eldest son was born in 1991, when I was 28. While on a business trip to Japan, I purchased a mini digital video camera, marking the beginning of my journey into videography. In 2006, I attended a Tzu Chi year-end blessing ceremony for the first time. At the volunteer recruitment area, I enthusiastically noted my expertise in photography and videography on a form. Soon thereafter, I received an invitation to join Tzu Chi as a documenting volunteer. I began training in 2008 to become a certified volunteer.

I always followed my own approach through my years of taking photos, doing things as I liked. When I first joined the foundation, I was uncertain about which aspects of a Tzu Chi event to capture. I vividly recall my dissatisfaction with my work at my first Tzu Chi camp. However, when I submitted the photos I had taken to Jian Hong-zheng (簡宏正), the coordinator for the Image Team, I was pleasantly surprised. Looking at my photos, Brother Jian exclaimed, “Everything I needed is right here!” This affirmation greatly cheered me and set me on my determined journey as a documenting volunteer, motivating me to continuously refine my skills.

In early 2010, I joined fellow Tzu Chi volunteers from Taiwan on a mission to Guizhou Province, China, to distribute aid to the needy. When we arrived at the distribution venue in Pingyan Township, Luodian County, we were greeted by the heartwarming sight of hundreds of villagers and children forming two rows, applauding and warmly welcoming us. The sight moved me deeply. I found myself wondering, “What have I done to deserve such warmth from people I have never met?” I followed the other volunteers without saying a word, afraid that if I spoke, tears of emotion would spill from my eyes.

During home visits, we were welcomed into their households as if we were part of their family. This heartfelt reception stemmed from the love nurtured by my fellow volunteers during their ten years of work in Guizhou. I felt deeply grateful that my role as a documenting volunteer brought me to Guizhou, allowing me to be showered in such warmth while I captured one poignant scene after another through my lens.

The rural homes we visited were typically basic, crude structures that provided minimal shelter from wind and rain. I vividly remember a home visit to the Li family. Mr. Li had suffered a bone fracture, and lacking the financial means for medical treatment, his arm had become deformed. His wife, experiencing back pain, struggled to carry water for the family. The family had no source of income at all. We checked their pot and saw some poor-looking corn porridge inside. When we learned that such meager fare was their main food for three daily meals, I couldn’t contain my emotions. I rushed outside and began crying uncontrollably.

I used to think that crying was embarrassing for a man, but I couldn’t hold back my tears that day. They just couldn’t stop flowing. It was the first time I had shed tears in 40 years, and I must have cried without stopping for a good half hour.

After this trip to Guizhou, I set aside my love for the pursuit of enjoyment and pleasure. Before, I used to travel abroad for sightseeing once or twice a year. Although such travels brought me happiness, the joy was short-lived. The charitable mission to Guizhou, however, left an indelible mark on me. After that trip, almost every time I traveled abroad, it was for Tzu Chi.

Innovative solutions

I faced several challenges after taking on the role of coordinator for a community documentation team. At the time, our documenting volunteers lacked a dedicated database for their work, making it difficult for some of them to find photos to complement their articles. To address this issue, I collaborated with other volunteers to establish a dedicated File Transfer Protocol platform. This platform allowed our volunteers to easily upload and share data. Additionally, I worked with computer engineers to develop an online event schedule, which helped us post information about our community’s Tzu Chi activities. This saved us a lot of time and money. It reduced the need for phone calls to disseminate event information and encouraged greater participation from those interested in the events.

The challenge of not having a storage system for articles and photos extended beyond our specific community. I recognized that our volunteers’ hard work was not adequately preserved and that a considerable amount of time and manpower was spent gathering relevant data, so I began contemplating cross-district data integration. I started collaborating with Zhang Ting-xu (張廷旭), a volunteer from Tzu Chi’s central Taiwan Information Technology Team. We developed a dedicated software system for data integration. After we were successful, Zhang remarked in friendly banter, “This software was created at your request; you’re responsible for promoting it!”

In response, I reached out every day to the coordinators for documenting teams in different districts in central Taiwan, providing explanations and tutorials on archiving using our software system. After a year of efforts, relevant records from across the central Taiwan district began to be uploaded to the system, easily accessible through a simple search. Eventually, this system expanded to include other areas in Taiwan.

Later, I became the coordinator for Tzu Chi’s central Taiwan Image Team. I pondered: “How can I attract new volunteers? More importantly, how can I rekindle the initial enthusiasm of our senior volunteers?” I decided to introduce courses in 2018 to tackle these questions. The course design was diverse, allowing instructors to use personal photos for storytelling or inviting professional photographers to engage with our volunteers. Photos can speak volumes; for instance, instructor Chen Jian-hua (陳建華) used pictures of his mother to reflect on accompanying her through the last leg of her life, while Li Ying-qing (李盈青) shared the challenges she had experienced in her life through photos documenting her growth and development. Everyone got to know the instructors better through their photos, but also gained insight into the art of storytelling through photography.

I also collaborated with bakeries and dessert shops, requesting their products for volunteers to photograph. The resulting photos became promotional materials for the businesses. I invited commercial photographer and Tzu Chi volunteer Ye Tang-ming (葉唐銘) to share insights on composition and the use of light and shadow in pastry photography. During class, everyone arranged and presented the pastries provided by our collaborating businesses. Ye reminded everyone that the direction of light sources would change at different times, resulting in various effects, and that photography is subjective, with no definitive right or wrong. Following the instructor’s guidance, participants took their photos and then uploaded their work to a messaging app group chat for immediate sharing and discussion. Afterwards, the participants were able to eat the pastries, bringing sweetness to palates and hearts alike.

At the end of the course, I used the Kahoot! app as a fun, interactive way for participants to review what they had learned. I gave prizes to the top three scorers in the review game. It was a lot of fun to see participants navigate through a series of tense and joyful moments during the activity. Creating classes that were eagerly anticipated by our volunteers became what I considered my greatest achievement.

Chen Rong-feng developed a passion for photography during high school and often went outdoors for photoshoots.

Courtesy of Chen Rong-feng

Tzu Chi volunteers went to Luodian, Guizhou, China, in 2010 to distribute aid to the needy. Here is a touching moment captured by Chen Rong-feng.

Aerial imagery

My foray into aerial imagery began in 2014. That year, Tzu Chi held a Buddha Day ceremony at the Taichung Intercontinental Baseball Stadium in Taichung, central Taiwan. While I was documenting the ceremony with a camera, a buzzing sound caught my attention. Following the sound, I looked up and saw a drone for the first time. Involuntarily, my gaze followed it as it soared into the sky, and I found myself drawn closer to the drone operator. I was completely mesmerized when I saw the spectacular aerial view captured by the drone.

I couldn’t get the image of a drone out of my mind after that and purchased a drone the following year. I practiced flying it whenever time allowed and shared the videos I took online. Some people left negative comments upon seeing my footage, saying things like: “It’s not just about flying high in aerial imagery.” Instead of becoming disheartened by such comments, I recognized my inadequacies from their perspectives and encouraged myself to keep improving my skills.

I established an aerial imagery team in 2018, with the goal of sharing my drone flying skills and learning from more enthusiasts. The next year, I joined the Taichung City Fire Department’s aerial imagery unit to contribute to disaster relief efforts. This involved surveying the origins of fires, assisting on-site commanders in making accurate decisions for firefighting, participating in search and rescue missions for missing mountain climbers, and deploying lifebuoys for drowning victims. The aerial imagery team I established also collaborates with the Coast Guard Administration to fly over the sea and document the ecology of white dolphins.

Driven by a passion for aerial imagery, Chen Rong-feng organized a Tzu Chi drone team to enhance the perspective of documentary photography and filming.

Courtesy of Chen Rong-feng

In 2020, the Taiwanese government began regulating drones. To help fellow Tzu Chi volunteers pass licensing exams, I began designing mock test questions and organizing flying technique practice sessions in open areas. Everyone endured the scorching sun without shade during the practice sessions, so I offered cool refreshments and snacks for relief. We mutually encouraged and learned from each other. A total of 68 volunteers have successfully obtained certifications.

Organizing a flying practice session, whether for exam purposes or not, entails careful planning. It includes finding an appropriate outdoor space, providing diverse flight training, and prioritizing safety. Once an outdoor space is chosen, I conduct repeated site inspections. In addition to training in mountain and sea flying techniques, I incorporate rescue scenarios. As an example, I strategically place five mannequins in grassy areas or along riverbanks, turning the exercise into a friendly competition to see who can locate the most mannequins in the shortest time.

I’ve been with Tzu Chi for over 15 years. The number of volunteers participating in our photography classes or learning sessions has grown from dozens to over 200. The aerial imagery team has also welcomed many new members, with participants now spread across Taiwan. Our numbers are steadily increasing. While one person may move swiftly, a group can go much farther. Preserving Tzu Chi’s history is not a task achievable by one person alone; it requires the collective effort of many. That’s why we must encourage participation and new blood in our documenting work.

I’ve seen a constant evolution in photography and video equipment during my time with Tzu Chi. My viewfinder has expanded from ground-level to aerial perspectives. I enjoy learning and growing along my life’s journey. I’m not one with grand plans. My goal for life is simple—to use my skills and abilities for the common good. As I share on my Facebook page: “My love for photography dates back to my youth. Images and visuals drive me forward. From photography and videography to editing and aerial imagery, I’m on a continuous learning journey. I am genuinely passionate about my work. I’m Chen Rong-feng [陳榮豐].”

Chen Rong-feng used a drone to aid in aerial reconnaissance and investigate the point of ignition at a fire scene in Taichung, central Taiwan.

In 2021, Chen Rong-feng captured aerial footage of the Tzu Chi Dongda Campus in central Taiwan after the main construction was completed and landscaping was beginning.

Narrated by Chen Rong-feng
Interviewed and written by Lin Mei-hong
Abridged and translated by Wu Hsiao-ting
Photos by Chen Rong-feng

I’ve loved taking photos since my teenage years. After joining Tzu Chi, I kept growing my photography and videography skills, eventually venturing into aerial imagery. My goal is simple—I want to use my skills to capture the beauty and goodness of the world.

—Chen Rong-feng

Photo by Lin Mei-hong

I have been curious about “new” things since childhood, especially when it comes to electronic products and devices. In elementary school, I even dismantled a radio my dad bought to study its inner workings. During high school, I developed a fascination with cameras. I recall waking up one morning at two to capture the school gate, using a B shutter speed for 20 seconds. In the interplay of moonlight and car lights, the majestic school gate showcased the beauty of a dignified academic institution. I submitted the work to an intramural competition and won first place.

Time flew quickly after high school. My eldest son was born in 1991, when I was 28. While on a business trip to Japan, I purchased a mini digital video camera, marking the beginning of my journey into videography. In 2006, I attended a Tzu Chi year-end blessing ceremony for the first time. At the volunteer recruitment area, I enthusiastically noted my expertise in photography and videography on a form. Soon thereafter, I received an invitation to join Tzu Chi as a documenting volunteer. I began training in 2008 to become a certified volunteer.

I always followed my own approach through my years of taking photos, doing things as I liked. When I first joined the foundation, I was uncertain about which aspects of a Tzu Chi event to capture. I vividly recall my dissatisfaction with my work at my first Tzu Chi camp. However, when I submitted the photos I had taken to Jian Hong-zheng (簡宏正), the coordinator for the Image Team, I was pleasantly surprised. Looking at my photos, Brother Jian exclaimed, “Everything I needed is right here!” This affirmation greatly cheered me and set me on my determined journey as a documenting volunteer, motivating me to continuously refine my skills.

In early 2010, I joined fellow Tzu Chi volunteers from Taiwan on a mission to Guizhou Province, China, to distribute aid to the needy. When we arrived at the distribution venue in Pingyan Township, Luodian County, we were greeted by the heartwarming sight of hundreds of villagers and children forming two rows, applauding and warmly welcoming us. The sight moved me deeply. I found myself wondering, “What have I done to deserve such warmth from people I have never met?” I followed the other volunteers without saying a word, afraid that if I spoke, tears of emotion would spill from my eyes.

During home visits, we were welcomed into their households as if we were part of their family. This heartfelt reception stemmed from the love nurtured by my fellow volunteers during their ten years of work in Guizhou. I felt deeply grateful that my role as a documenting volunteer brought me to Guizhou, allowing me to be showered in such warmth while I captured one poignant scene after another through my lens.

The rural homes we visited were typically basic, crude structures that provided minimal shelter from wind and rain. I vividly remember a home visit to the Li family. Mr. Li had suffered a bone fracture, and lacking the financial means for medical treatment, his arm had become deformed. His wife, experiencing back pain, struggled to carry water for the family. The family had no source of income at all. We checked their pot and saw some poor-looking corn porridge inside. When we learned that such meager fare was their main food for three daily meals, I couldn’t contain my emotions. I rushed outside and began crying uncontrollably.

I used to think that crying was embarrassing for a man, but I couldn’t hold back my tears that day. They just couldn’t stop flowing. It was the first time I had shed tears in 40 years, and I must have cried without stopping for a good half hour.

After this trip to Guizhou, I set aside my love for the pursuit of enjoyment and pleasure. Before, I used to travel abroad for sightseeing once or twice a year. Although such travels brought me happiness, the joy was short-lived. The charitable mission to Guizhou, however, left an indelible mark on me. After that trip, almost every time I traveled abroad, it was for Tzu Chi.

Innovative solutions

I faced several challenges after taking on the role of coordinator for a community documentation team. At the time, our documenting volunteers lacked a dedicated database for their work, making it difficult for some of them to find photos to complement their articles. To address this issue, I collaborated with other volunteers to establish a dedicated File Transfer Protocol platform. This platform allowed our volunteers to easily upload and share data. Additionally, I worked with computer engineers to develop an online event schedule, which helped us post information about our community’s Tzu Chi activities. This saved us a lot of time and money. It reduced the need for phone calls to disseminate event information and encouraged greater participation from those interested in the events.

The challenge of not having a storage system for articles and photos extended beyond our specific community. I recognized that our volunteers’ hard work was not adequately preserved and that a considerable amount of time and manpower was spent gathering relevant data, so I began contemplating cross-district data integration. I started collaborating with Zhang Ting-xu (張廷旭), a volunteer from Tzu Chi’s central Taiwan Information Technology Team. We developed a dedicated software system for data integration. After we were successful, Zhang remarked in friendly banter, “This software was created at your request; you’re responsible for promoting it!”

In response, I reached out every day to the coordinators for documenting teams in different districts in central Taiwan, providing explanations and tutorials on archiving using our software system. After a year of efforts, relevant records from across the central Taiwan district began to be uploaded to the system, easily accessible through a simple search. Eventually, this system expanded to include other areas in Taiwan.

Later, I became the coordinator for Tzu Chi’s central Taiwan Image Team. I pondered: “How can I attract new volunteers? More importantly, how can I rekindle the initial enthusiasm of our senior volunteers?” I decided to introduce courses in 2018 to tackle these questions. The course design was diverse, allowing instructors to use personal photos for storytelling or inviting professional photographers to engage with our volunteers. Photos can speak volumes; for instance, instructor Chen Jian-hua (陳建華) used pictures of his mother to reflect on accompanying her through the last leg of her life, while Li Ying-qing (李盈青) shared the challenges she had experienced in her life through photos documenting her growth and development. Everyone got to know the instructors better through their photos, but also gained insight into the art of storytelling through photography.

I also collaborated with bakeries and dessert shops, requesting their products for volunteers to photograph. The resulting photos became promotional materials for the businesses. I invited commercial photographer and Tzu Chi volunteer Ye Tang-ming (葉唐銘) to share insights on composition and the use of light and shadow in pastry photography. During class, everyone arranged and presented the pastries provided by our collaborating businesses. Ye reminded everyone that the direction of light sources would change at different times, resulting in various effects, and that photography is subjective, with no definitive right or wrong. Following the instructor’s guidance, participants took their photos and then uploaded their work to a messaging app group chat for immediate sharing and discussion. Afterwards, the participants were able to eat the pastries, bringing sweetness to palates and hearts alike.

At the end of the course, I used the Kahoot! app as a fun, interactive way for participants to review what they had learned. I gave prizes to the top three scorers in the review game. It was a lot of fun to see participants navigate through a series of tense and joyful moments during the activity. Creating classes that were eagerly anticipated by our volunteers became what I considered my greatest achievement.

Chen Rong-feng developed a passion for photography during high school and often went outdoors for photoshoots.

Courtesy of Chen Rong-feng

Tzu Chi volunteers went to Luodian, Guizhou, China, in 2010 to distribute aid to the needy. Here is a touching moment captured by Chen Rong-feng.

Aerial imagery

My foray into aerial imagery began in 2014. That year, Tzu Chi held a Buddha Day ceremony at the Taichung Intercontinental Baseball Stadium in Taichung, central Taiwan. While I was documenting the ceremony with a camera, a buzzing sound caught my attention. Following the sound, I looked up and saw a drone for the first time. Involuntarily, my gaze followed it as it soared into the sky, and I found myself drawn closer to the drone operator. I was completely mesmerized when I saw the spectacular aerial view captured by the drone.

I couldn’t get the image of a drone out of my mind after that and purchased a drone the following year. I practiced flying it whenever time allowed and shared the videos I took online. Some people left negative comments upon seeing my footage, saying things like: “It’s not just about flying high in aerial imagery.” Instead of becoming disheartened by such comments, I recognized my inadequacies from their perspectives and encouraged myself to keep improving my skills.

I established an aerial imagery team in 2018, with the goal of sharing my drone flying skills and learning from more enthusiasts. The next year, I joined the Taichung City Fire Department’s aerial imagery unit to contribute to disaster relief efforts. This involved surveying the origins of fires, assisting on-site commanders in making accurate decisions for firefighting, participating in search and rescue missions for missing mountain climbers, and deploying lifebuoys for drowning victims. The aerial imagery team I established also collaborates with the Coast Guard Administration to fly over the sea and document the ecology of white dolphins.

Driven by a passion for aerial imagery, Chen Rong-feng organized a Tzu Chi drone team to enhance the perspective of documentary photography and filming.

Courtesy of Chen Rong-feng

In 2020, the Taiwanese government began regulating drones. To help fellow Tzu Chi volunteers pass licensing exams, I began designing mock test questions and organizing flying technique practice sessions in open areas. Everyone endured the scorching sun without shade during the practice sessions, so I offered cool refreshments and snacks for relief. We mutually encouraged and learned from each other. A total of 68 volunteers have successfully obtained certifications.

Organizing a flying practice session, whether for exam purposes or not, entails careful planning. It includes finding an appropriate outdoor space, providing diverse flight training, and prioritizing safety. Once an outdoor space is chosen, I conduct repeated site inspections. In addition to training in mountain and sea flying techniques, I incorporate rescue scenarios. As an example, I strategically place five mannequins in grassy areas or along riverbanks, turning the exercise into a friendly competition to see who can locate the most mannequins in the shortest time.

I’ve been with Tzu Chi for over 15 years. The number of volunteers participating in our photography classes or learning sessions has grown from dozens to over 200. The aerial imagery team has also welcomed many new members, with participants now spread across Taiwan. Our numbers are steadily increasing. While one person may move swiftly, a group can go much farther. Preserving Tzu Chi’s history is not a task achievable by one person alone; it requires the collective effort of many. That’s why we must encourage participation and new blood in our documenting work.

I’ve seen a constant evolution in photography and video equipment during my time with Tzu Chi. My viewfinder has expanded from ground-level to aerial perspectives. I enjoy learning and growing along my life’s journey. I’m not one with grand plans. My goal for life is simple—to use my skills and abilities for the common good. As I share on my Facebook page: “My love for photography dates back to my youth. Images and visuals drive me forward. From photography and videography to editing and aerial imagery, I’m on a continuous learning journey. I am genuinely passionate about my work. I’m Chen Rong-feng [陳榮豐].”

Chen Rong-feng used a drone to aid in aerial reconnaissance and investigate the point of ignition at a fire scene in Taichung, central Taiwan.

In 2021, Chen Rong-feng captured aerial footage of the Tzu Chi Dongda Campus in central Taiwan after the main construction was completed and landscaping was beginning.

關鍵字

UNITED STATES|Free Medical Services for Underprivileged Families

By Chen Xiao-ying
Translated by Wu Hsiao-ting
Photos by Jiang Guo-an

Tzu Chi volunteers in Northern California, in the United States, have dedicated over a decade to promoting the Happy Campus program, providing supplemental tutoring, bolstering student attendance, and more. They maintain a long-standing partnership with Rosemary Elementary School in Campbell, Santa Clara County. Through this collaboration, volunteers have come to recognize the issues faced by many members of the local Hispanic community, such as undocumented immigration status, precarious or insufficient incomes, and an inability to cover insurance or medical costs. Beyond economic constraints, language barriers pose additional obstacles to accessing healthcare.

To help address these medical needs, Tzu Chi held its first community free clinic event at the school in October 2023, followed by another in March 2024. These clinics offered services such as traditional Chinese medicine, dental care, spinal health care, and dental hygiene education. Separate areas were set up for consultations, using privacy cubicles designed and produced by Tzu Chi. Spanish-speaking volunteers were on hand to provide translation services. The clinic plans to continue on a biannual schedule, held every six months.

By Chen Xiao-ying
Translated by Wu Hsiao-ting
Photos by Jiang Guo-an

Tzu Chi volunteers in Northern California, in the United States, have dedicated over a decade to promoting the Happy Campus program, providing supplemental tutoring, bolstering student attendance, and more. They maintain a long-standing partnership with Rosemary Elementary School in Campbell, Santa Clara County. Through this collaboration, volunteers have come to recognize the issues faced by many members of the local Hispanic community, such as undocumented immigration status, precarious or insufficient incomes, and an inability to cover insurance or medical costs. Beyond economic constraints, language barriers pose additional obstacles to accessing healthcare.

To help address these medical needs, Tzu Chi held its first community free clinic event at the school in October 2023, followed by another in March 2024. These clinics offered services such as traditional Chinese medicine, dental care, spinal health care, and dental hygiene education. Separate areas were set up for consultations, using privacy cubicles designed and produced by Tzu Chi. Spanish-speaking volunteers were on hand to provide translation services. The clinic plans to continue on a biannual schedule, held every six months.

關鍵字

四月の出来事

04・03花蓮地震

午前7時58分、台湾東部沖でマグニチュード7・2の強い地震が発生し、花蓮県で最大震度6の揺れが起き、死者10人以上、負傷者千人余り、多数の家屋が損壊する被害が出た。慈済基金会は8時20分に本部で災害対応センターを立ち上げ、県政府と協調して災害支援を進めた。

04・04

慈済インドネシア支部の家屋建設支援プロジェクトは、2006年から首都ジャカルタで展開され、その後当国の各地に広めている。本日、西ジャワ州スカブミ県で完成した3戸の入居式が行われ、同時に10キロの米と20パックの静思書軒提供の乾麺を含む60セットの生活物資が現地の住民に配付された。

04・06

◎アメリカのオハイオ州とインディアナ州で、それぞれ2月28日と3月14日に竜巻が襲い、多数の建築物が損壊し、3人が死亡した。慈済シカゴ支部は4月6日、インディアナ州で配付を行い、全壊またはひどく損壊した33世帯の98人に1000米ドルの買い物カードと祝福パックを贈呈した。同月14日にはオハイオ州で配付が行われ、800米ドルの買い物カードと祝福パックを58世帯の174人に贈った。

◎アメリカ・ハワイの慈済ボランティアはマウイ島森林火災被災者支援で、2023年8月に続いて本日、甚大被災地区のラハイナ町の住民で、幼児や病気の高齢者がいる世帯のうち、支援を必要としている145世帯に買い物カードを提供した。

◎3月14日夜間、アメリカ中西部は竜巻に襲われ、インディアナ州ウィンチェスター市とその周りの町が大きな被害を受けた。慈済インディアナ連絡所は17日、被災地区の視察を行った。本日シカゴ・デイトンのボランティアは、当市で33世帯に買い物カードとマフラー、エコ毛布、即席麺などを含む祝福パックを配付した。

🔎 Zoom in picture)

4月5日午前7時半、1機目のヘリコプターが着陸し、慈済が支援した物資を受け取った(写真2)。天祥地区に留まっていた外国人観光客たちは機内から降りても動悸が止まらず、ボランティアが関心を寄せた(写真1)。(撮影・陳光華)

当時、山岳地帯に足止めされていた観光客やホテル従業員、民衆及び天祥派出所や保七総隊など公的機関の人員、合わせて600人余りが食糧と水を必要としていた。慈済は花蓮警察、内政部空勤総隊と協力し、道路が開通されるまで持ち堪えられるよう、2回に分けて空輸すると共に、世界中の慈済人の気遣いを第一線にいる捜索隊員に届けた。

臨時の住まい 尊厳と安全

災害救助の利器は、慈善経験の蓄積と啓発から始まる。
エコ素材:大衆を守ると同時に地球の資源を大切にする。

(撮影・許政雄)

➊ ジンスー福慧エコ間仕切りテント

開発

2019年〜2020年にかけて災害予防訓練とボランティア訓練で使用を開始。

重量

7.56キロ

材質

一張り分の生地は、回収された600ml入りのPETボトル280本を使用して生産。

特徴

・コンパクト収納で、2分以内に組み立て完了可能。
・個人空間を仕切り、プライバシーが向上
・延焼防止効果のある化学繊維テント生地
・弾力性のあるワイヤーフレームを使用しているので、支柱を立てる必要がない。

(撮影・鄭啓聡、蔡素美)

➋ 大愛感恩科技公司のエコ毛布

開発

2006年。以後、改良を続け、厚手のものもある。

重量

1809グラム

材質

回収PETボトル67本

特徴

・柔らかくて保温性が良い。洗濯が簡単で乾きが早い。水洗いしても色褪せしない。
・水を使わない先染めをすることによって、生地の染色工程で発生する水汚染を防いでおり、節水と同時に、化学物質による環境への二次汚染を大幅に減らしている。
・100%回収PETボトルから再生されており、「ゆりかごからゆりかごまで(C2C)」のシル
バー級認証を得ている。

(撮影・鄭啓聡、蔡素美)

➌ ジンスー多機能福慧ベッド

開発

2013年

重量

15キロ

材質

食品包装用PP。皮膚に接触しても安全。

特徴

・耐荷重は150キロ
・素手で組み立てられ、道具は不必要。
・ベッドは通気孔がある設計で、通気性が良く、快適。
・地面から30センチの高さがあり、湿気が多くて蒸し暑い所や浸水した環境にも使用可。
・この他、福慧テーブルと椅子があり、全て折りたたみ式で、持ち運びに便利。

地震が発生した当日の昼、慈済は政府が立ち上げた避難所を支援した。その晩、精舎の師父が訪れて被災者を見舞った。(撮影・陳榮欽)

04・07

慈済カンボジア連絡所は、2016年からプノンペン市ダンコー区のゴミ山周辺に住み、廃棄物を拾って生活をしている住民に対して、三カ月に一回、定期的に配付活動を行っている。本日ボランティアは474世帯の住民に、米とビスケット、トースト、ミネラルウォーターなどを配付すると共に、0403花蓮地震被災者のための祈りと竹筒貯金箱による愛の心を募る活動を行った。

04・11

慈済基金会とASUSは、「企業共善協力活動」で覚書を交わした。0403花蓮地震で影響を受けた学校にコンピューターなどの設備を提供する他、各種教育プロジェクトを通して、学生たちのデジタルテクノロジーでの学習向上を支援する。

04・12

日本の慈済ボランティアは、0403花蓮地震で街頭募金を始めた。14日、東京で、新宿と新大久保駅での募金活動、代々木のホームレスへの配付、人文教室での活動などが行われた。大阪では、西城区で炊き出しを行った際、日雇い労働者たちから愛の募金を募った他、17日から23日まで天王寺の近鉄デパート前で街頭募金活動を行う。

04・13

慈済アメリカ総支部は「心を一つに共善し、愛を台湾に届ける」愛の募金活動を展開し、本日、仙台市の有名な店である「Gyutan Tsukasa USA Inc.」の鈴木大介副総裁と木原智美経理部長が相沢幸司総裁の代表として、サンディマス志業パークに10万ドルを寄付した。これは、2011年3月11日の東日本大震災の後、台湾国民と慈済ボランティアが日本の被災者に対して行ったケアと支援へのフィードバックである。

04・17

慈済アメリカ総支部は、「アメリカ国土安全保障省、信仰に基づく近隣パートナーシップ センター(DHSセンター)」の要請に応じ、アメリカ合衆国連邦緊急事態管理庁(FEMA)が主催する「他宗教リーダーによる気候変動の影響からの回復力に関する円卓会議」に参加した。そして、初めて福慧ベッドや福慧間仕切り、最新の研究で開発された蚊帳と「福慧収納キャビネット」などジンスー福慧家具シリーズを展示した。

04・23

慈済基金会の「企業共善合作プロジェクト」で、本日、植境複合概念館において、台北老松ロータリークラブと共同で「慈善協力寄贈式」を行った。当クラブは他の団体と共に10万元を寄付すると共に、大阪府池田市の池田くれはロータリークラブと千葉県つくば市のつくばシティロータリークラブに代わって、45万円を寄贈して、慈済の0403花蓮地震支援活動に呼応した。

04・24

◎大愛テレビ局が作成した《コーラン経本の修復‥本来の状態――古代コーラン経本の復元》と《仏教精神の味》の二つのドキュメンタリーが、第57回ヒューストン国際映画祭の宗教類動画制作及び短編ドキュメンタリー部門で「シルバー賞」に輝いた。

◎慈済基金会の顔博文執行長は本日、日本中日新聞社のオンラインによるインタビューと、東京放送テレビ局(TBS)取材チームによるインタビューを静思精舎で受け、台湾の0403花蓮地震と能登半島地震後の慈済の緊急支援及び動員、運用等に関する行動について分かち合った。

04・03花蓮地震

午前7時58分、台湾東部沖でマグニチュード7・2の強い地震が発生し、花蓮県で最大震度6の揺れが起き、死者10人以上、負傷者千人余り、多数の家屋が損壊する被害が出た。慈済基金会は8時20分に本部で災害対応センターを立ち上げ、県政府と協調して災害支援を進めた。

04・04

慈済インドネシア支部の家屋建設支援プロジェクトは、2006年から首都ジャカルタで展開され、その後当国の各地に広めている。本日、西ジャワ州スカブミ県で完成した3戸の入居式が行われ、同時に10キロの米と20パックの静思書軒提供の乾麺を含む60セットの生活物資が現地の住民に配付された。

04・06

◎アメリカのオハイオ州とインディアナ州で、それぞれ2月28日と3月14日に竜巻が襲い、多数の建築物が損壊し、3人が死亡した。慈済シカゴ支部は4月6日、インディアナ州で配付を行い、全壊またはひどく損壊した33世帯の98人に1000米ドルの買い物カードと祝福パックを贈呈した。同月14日にはオハイオ州で配付が行われ、800米ドルの買い物カードと祝福パックを58世帯の174人に贈った。

◎アメリカ・ハワイの慈済ボランティアはマウイ島森林火災被災者支援で、2023年8月に続いて本日、甚大被災地区のラハイナ町の住民で、幼児や病気の高齢者がいる世帯のうち、支援を必要としている145世帯に買い物カードを提供した。

◎3月14日夜間、アメリカ中西部は竜巻に襲われ、インディアナ州ウィンチェスター市とその周りの町が大きな被害を受けた。慈済インディアナ連絡所は17日、被災地区の視察を行った。本日シカゴ・デイトンのボランティアは、当市で33世帯に買い物カードとマフラー、エコ毛布、即席麺などを含む祝福パックを配付した。

🔎 Zoom in picture)

4月5日午前7時半、1機目のヘリコプターが着陸し、慈済が支援した物資を受け取った(写真2)。天祥地区に留まっていた外国人観光客たちは機内から降りても動悸が止まらず、ボランティアが関心を寄せた(写真1)。(撮影・陳光華)

当時、山岳地帯に足止めされていた観光客やホテル従業員、民衆及び天祥派出所や保七総隊など公的機関の人員、合わせて600人余りが食糧と水を必要としていた。慈済は花蓮警察、内政部空勤総隊と協力し、道路が開通されるまで持ち堪えられるよう、2回に分けて空輸すると共に、世界中の慈済人の気遣いを第一線にいる捜索隊員に届けた。

臨時の住まい 尊厳と安全

災害救助の利器は、慈善経験の蓄積と啓発から始まる。
エコ素材:大衆を守ると同時に地球の資源を大切にする。

(撮影・許政雄)

➊ ジンスー福慧エコ間仕切りテント

開発

2019年〜2020年にかけて災害予防訓練とボランティア訓練で使用を開始。

重量

7.56キロ

材質

一張り分の生地は、回収された600ml入りのPETボトル280本を使用して生産。

特徴

・コンパクト収納で、2分以内に組み立て完了可能。
・個人空間を仕切り、プライバシーが向上
・延焼防止効果のある化学繊維テント生地
・弾力性のあるワイヤーフレームを使用しているので、支柱を立てる必要がない。

(撮影・鄭啓聡、蔡素美)

➋ 大愛感恩科技公司のエコ毛布

開発

2006年。以後、改良を続け、厚手のものもある。

重量

1809グラム

材質

回収PETボトル67本

特徴

・柔らかくて保温性が良い。洗濯が簡単で乾きが早い。水洗いしても色褪せしない。
・水を使わない先染めをすることによって、生地の染色工程で発生する水汚染を防いでおり、節水と同時に、化学物質による環境への二次汚染を大幅に減らしている。
・100%回収PETボトルから再生されており、「ゆりかごからゆりかごまで(C2C)」のシル
バー級認証を得ている。

(撮影・鄭啓聡、蔡素美)

➌ ジンスー多機能福慧ベッド

開発

2013年

重量

15キロ

材質

食品包装用PP。皮膚に接触しても安全。

特徴

・耐荷重は150キロ
・素手で組み立てられ、道具は不必要。
・ベッドは通気孔がある設計で、通気性が良く、快適。
・地面から30センチの高さがあり、湿気が多くて蒸し暑い所や浸水した環境にも使用可。
・この他、福慧テーブルと椅子があり、全て折りたたみ式で、持ち運びに便利。

地震が発生した当日の昼、慈済は政府が立ち上げた避難所を支援した。その晩、精舎の師父が訪れて被災者を見舞った。(撮影・陳榮欽)

04・07

慈済カンボジア連絡所は、2016年からプノンペン市ダンコー区のゴミ山周辺に住み、廃棄物を拾って生活をしている住民に対して、三カ月に一回、定期的に配付活動を行っている。本日ボランティアは474世帯の住民に、米とビスケット、トースト、ミネラルウォーターなどを配付すると共に、0403花蓮地震被災者のための祈りと竹筒貯金箱による愛の心を募る活動を行った。

04・11

慈済基金会とASUSは、「企業共善協力活動」で覚書を交わした。0403花蓮地震で影響を受けた学校にコンピューターなどの設備を提供する他、各種教育プロジェクトを通して、学生たちのデジタルテクノロジーでの学習向上を支援する。

04・12

日本の慈済ボランティアは、0403花蓮地震で街頭募金を始めた。14日、東京で、新宿と新大久保駅での募金活動、代々木のホームレスへの配付、人文教室での活動などが行われた。大阪では、西城区で炊き出しを行った際、日雇い労働者たちから愛の募金を募った他、17日から23日まで天王寺の近鉄デパート前で街頭募金活動を行う。

04・13

慈済アメリカ総支部は「心を一つに共善し、愛を台湾に届ける」愛の募金活動を展開し、本日、仙台市の有名な店である「Gyutan Tsukasa USA Inc.」の鈴木大介副総裁と木原智美経理部長が相沢幸司総裁の代表として、サンディマス志業パークに10万ドルを寄付した。これは、2011年3月11日の東日本大震災の後、台湾国民と慈済ボランティアが日本の被災者に対して行ったケアと支援へのフィードバックである。

04・17

慈済アメリカ総支部は、「アメリカ国土安全保障省、信仰に基づく近隣パートナーシップ センター(DHSセンター)」の要請に応じ、アメリカ合衆国連邦緊急事態管理庁(FEMA)が主催する「他宗教リーダーによる気候変動の影響からの回復力に関する円卓会議」に参加した。そして、初めて福慧ベッドや福慧間仕切り、最新の研究で開発された蚊帳と「福慧収納キャビネット」などジンスー福慧家具シリーズを展示した。

04・23

慈済基金会の「企業共善合作プロジェクト」で、本日、植境複合概念館において、台北老松ロータリークラブと共同で「慈善協力寄贈式」を行った。当クラブは他の団体と共に10万元を寄付すると共に、大阪府池田市の池田くれはロータリークラブと千葉県つくば市のつくばシティロータリークラブに代わって、45万円を寄贈して、慈済の0403花蓮地震支援活動に呼応した。

04・24

◎大愛テレビ局が作成した《コーラン経本の修復‥本来の状態――古代コーラン経本の復元》と《仏教精神の味》の二つのドキュメンタリーが、第57回ヒューストン国際映画祭の宗教類動画制作及び短編ドキュメンタリー部門で「シルバー賞」に輝いた。

◎慈済基金会の顔博文執行長は本日、日本中日新聞社のオンラインによるインタビューと、東京放送テレビ局(TBS)取材チームによるインタビューを静思精舎で受け、台湾の0403花蓮地震と能登半島地震後の慈済の緊急支援及び動員、運用等に関する行動について分かち合った。

關鍵字

息子の問いは意味深い

なぜ医者になりたいのか?

医学部在学中、私も同じような問いを投げかけられた。医者になって三十年余り経った今、私の答えは、その頃とは変わった。

息子が高校三年生の時のことだ。大学入学共通テストが終わって、各学校の医学部の二次試験である面接の準備をしていた。四月中ずっと面接の練習をしていた彼が、私に幾つかの問いを投げかけた。それらは、医者を生業としている私にとって、改めて考えさせられるものだった。

質問一、「お父さんは、どうして医者になりたいと思ったの?」。

これは、面接で聞かれるかもしれない。私はしばらく考えてから答えた。しかし、それは三十年余り前の私の答えとは、大きく異なるものだった。

「患者に向き合った時、そこに見えるのは病だけではなく、一人の『人間』なんだよ」と私は答えた。その人は病気が治り、元気になって喜び、そして、彼の家族は中くらいか大きな喜びに浸るのである。家族以外にも、彼の二等親、三等親、友人や親戚、皆が嬉しくなると私は信じている。

一人の人間を助けているとしか見えないかもしれないが、実はその人を助けるだけでなく、同時にその人の家族をも助けることになり、ひいては彼の友人にまで影響が及ぶのである。その類の喜びと感染力は、直ちに感じ取ることができる。慈済ボランティアが人助けをすることと同じなのである。

質問二、「お父さんは、どうして宜蘭に家があるのに、嘉義を職場にしたの?その後また、北部に行って勉強したのに、また、花蓮慈済大学で教鞭を取るようになったのはなぜ?忙しく走り回って、時には日帰りすることもあるのは、何のためなの?」

私は息子にこう答えた。

「医者は一生の中で、数百人、数千人しか助けられないかもしれないが、私はもっと多くの人を助けたいと考えたからだよ。母校の大学院で勉強してから、慈済大学で教鞭を取れば、何百、何千人ではなく、何万、何十万人、ひいては次の世代、そのまた次の代までも助けられるかもしれないと思ったからだ」。

そして、私たち慈済ボランティアも同じように、今助けているのは目の前の人だが、このような良い心がけと良い考えが次の世代にも影響を与え、彼らも君と一緒に善行をして、次のまた次まで影響していくかもしれないのだ。このように功徳を積むことができたら、どんなに素晴らしいだろう。だから、ここ数年こんなにも苦労してきたのだ。

息子は聴き終わるとこう言った。

「お父さん、本当に大変だね。体に気をつけてね!」。

子供から関心を寄せられ、健康まで気遣ってくれた。今年は大腸の内視鏡検査を受け、二つのポリープが見つかったが、早目に処置したので、病変の可能性は避けられた。この警告は、自分の健康に対してだけでなく、患者への衛生教育にも役立っている。

私たち耳鼻咽喉科医は五官を見るが、口から入る食べ物は食道、胃、小腸、大腸を経過して肛門から排出される。大腸と耳鼻咽喉科は関係があるだろうか?勿論ある。病は口から入るのだから。台湾癌基金会の調査によると、今の若者は、大腸の健康に対して認知が非常に低い上に、飲食と生活習慣が乱れている人が多い。大腸癌の罹患率はここ数年急速に上昇しているが、このことが原因の一つとなっている。

実は、危險因子は遺伝の外に、主に飲食の内容にある。どのように予防すればよいか?それには菜食することである。豊富な食物纖維が含まれているので、排便を助けるからだ。もし代謝性の疾患である場合は、しっかりコントロールする必要がある。生活のリズムに注意して睡眠の質を改善し、排便が習慣になっているかを見極める必要がある。体調が悪い時は、すぐ医者に見てもらい、腸の健康を維持しよう。

(二〇二三年五月十八日ボランティア朝会の話から抜粋)

(慈済月刊六八一期より)

なぜ医者になりたいのか?

医学部在学中、私も同じような問いを投げかけられた。医者になって三十年余り経った今、私の答えは、その頃とは変わった。

息子が高校三年生の時のことだ。大学入学共通テストが終わって、各学校の医学部の二次試験である面接の準備をしていた。四月中ずっと面接の練習をしていた彼が、私に幾つかの問いを投げかけた。それらは、医者を生業としている私にとって、改めて考えさせられるものだった。

質問一、「お父さんは、どうして医者になりたいと思ったの?」。

これは、面接で聞かれるかもしれない。私はしばらく考えてから答えた。しかし、それは三十年余り前の私の答えとは、大きく異なるものだった。

「患者に向き合った時、そこに見えるのは病だけではなく、一人の『人間』なんだよ」と私は答えた。その人は病気が治り、元気になって喜び、そして、彼の家族は中くらいか大きな喜びに浸るのである。家族以外にも、彼の二等親、三等親、友人や親戚、皆が嬉しくなると私は信じている。

一人の人間を助けているとしか見えないかもしれないが、実はその人を助けるだけでなく、同時にその人の家族をも助けることになり、ひいては彼の友人にまで影響が及ぶのである。その類の喜びと感染力は、直ちに感じ取ることができる。慈済ボランティアが人助けをすることと同じなのである。

質問二、「お父さんは、どうして宜蘭に家があるのに、嘉義を職場にしたの?その後また、北部に行って勉強したのに、また、花蓮慈済大学で教鞭を取るようになったのはなぜ?忙しく走り回って、時には日帰りすることもあるのは、何のためなの?」

私は息子にこう答えた。

「医者は一生の中で、数百人、数千人しか助けられないかもしれないが、私はもっと多くの人を助けたいと考えたからだよ。母校の大学院で勉強してから、慈済大学で教鞭を取れば、何百、何千人ではなく、何万、何十万人、ひいては次の世代、そのまた次の代までも助けられるかもしれないと思ったからだ」。

そして、私たち慈済ボランティアも同じように、今助けているのは目の前の人だが、このような良い心がけと良い考えが次の世代にも影響を与え、彼らも君と一緒に善行をして、次のまた次まで影響していくかもしれないのだ。このように功徳を積むことができたら、どんなに素晴らしいだろう。だから、ここ数年こんなにも苦労してきたのだ。

息子は聴き終わるとこう言った。

「お父さん、本当に大変だね。体に気をつけてね!」。

子供から関心を寄せられ、健康まで気遣ってくれた。今年は大腸の内視鏡検査を受け、二つのポリープが見つかったが、早目に処置したので、病変の可能性は避けられた。この警告は、自分の健康に対してだけでなく、患者への衛生教育にも役立っている。

私たち耳鼻咽喉科医は五官を見るが、口から入る食べ物は食道、胃、小腸、大腸を経過して肛門から排出される。大腸と耳鼻咽喉科は関係があるだろうか?勿論ある。病は口から入るのだから。台湾癌基金会の調査によると、今の若者は、大腸の健康に対して認知が非常に低い上に、飲食と生活習慣が乱れている人が多い。大腸癌の罹患率はここ数年急速に上昇しているが、このことが原因の一つとなっている。

実は、危險因子は遺伝の外に、主に飲食の内容にある。どのように予防すればよいか?それには菜食することである。豊富な食物纖維が含まれているので、排便を助けるからだ。もし代謝性の疾患である場合は、しっかりコントロールする必要がある。生活のリズムに注意して睡眠の質を改善し、排便が習慣になっているかを見極める必要がある。体調が悪い時は、すぐ医者に見てもらい、腸の健康を維持しよう。

(二〇二三年五月十八日ボランティア朝会の話から抜粋)

(慈済月刊六八一期より)

關鍵字

Innovative Solutions to Real-World Challenges

By Yeh Tzu-hao
Translated by Wu Hsiao-ting

One team invented earthquake-resistant furniture, while another created a solar-powered drying system to extend the shelf life of agricultural products. They both identified unsolved problems and devised innovative solutions in their work.

Earthquakes are common in our hometown of Yuli, so we designed this product to increase the chances of rescue,” explained Ye Zhen, an 11th-grader at Yuli High School in Hualien, eastern Taiwan.

Ye Zhen and her fellow schoolmates, 12th-grader Zhang Zhi-yan and 11th-grader Wu Bo-yi, along with their mentor Xu Qi-rong, formed a team to devise an earthquake-resistant modular furniture set. Their furniture is engineered to withstand the impact of falling objects and building collapse during tremors. The desk and wheeled drawer unit in the set are sturdy, providing space for survival when other indoor furniture would fail. They are also equipped with a built-in LED light, buzzer, and rechargeable battery, which would facilitate rescue operations. Furthermore, the desk and two accompanying chairs offer extra storage space for essential survival supplies.

The team won first place for their design in the high school category at the seventh annual Compassionate Technology Innovation Competition in 2023. One year earlier, the People’s Choice Award went to a solar-powered automatic drying system designed to preserve agricultural products in Indonesia. The Best Application Award that year was won by a team from Keelung Commercial and Industrial Vocational High School in rainy Keelung for their shoe drying machine. These products were created to meet local needs, concretely demonstrating empathy.

Thinking ahead to save lives

Seismic activity is common in Taiwan’s eastern Hualien and Taitung areas, so residents there are familiar with earthquakes. However, many locals, including the Yuli High School team that invented the earthquake-resistant furniture, still harbor lingering fears from the tremor on Sunday, September 18, 2022. When Ye Zhen returned to her school dormitory after the quake, she found herself and her roommates among the victims, with furniture fallen and items scattered everywhere. Zhang Zhi-yan, who was on the second floor of her home during the tremor, quickly rushed downstairs to check on her grandfather’s safety.

The earthquake left such a profound impact that it motivated Ye, Zhang, and their schoolmate Wu Bo-yi to start a project focusing on earthquake response, aimed particularly at aiding the elderly and those with limited mobility. They undertook the project as part of a school course on innovation in practice. Xu Qi-rong, who works in the computer design department of an international corporation in Taipei, became their mentor for the project. The team decided to center their project around earthquake-resistant furniture. They discussed ideas through videoconferences and attended a relevant workshop at the Tzu Chi University of Science and Technology in Hualien on Saturdays and Sundays. Under Xu Qi-rong’s guidance, the three high school students began by sketching and creating paper models, gradually refining their concept step by step. Eventually, they had a professional model maker create a detailed and realistic display model.

Their modular furniture set includes a desk, two chairs, and a wheeled drawer unit. “Our desktop is crafted from an aluminum honeycomb panel made of recycled aluminum, with a weight-bearing capacity four to six times that of a regular desktop,” explained Ye Zhen. Aluminum honeycomb panels are known for their strength and lightness, commonly used in aircraft construction. Ye highlighted other design features of their furniture set: the desktop is not only lightweight and robust but also includes a handle and an LED light on the side facing the floor. One can use the handle for stability when taking shelter under the desk and the LED light automatically illuminates during an earthquake. In ordinary times, the light can serve as a night light.

To bolster resistance, the team used two oval cabinets to support the desk instead of regular desk legs. A built-in electronic timer, set to emit alerts every three or six months, reminds users to check and update the disaster relief supplies stored within the furniture set.

The wheeled drawer unit consists of three tiers. The top two tiers are designed for storing food, medicine, and other emergency supplies. There are small doors on the sides, allowing access to items when necessary without the need to pull out the drawers. The bottom tier is equipped with a buzzer and charging device. In the event of being trapped during a quake, the buzzer provides an alternative to shouting or knocking, helping to conserve energy.

Xu Qi-rong said that they had planned for the worst-case scenario during their design process. In the case of a collapsing roof, their furniture set had to have a certain degree of rigidity to resist being crushed easily and be able to provide a survival space. “Our drawer unit was not originally designed to bear weight,” he explained, “but we deliberately designed it to be close in height to the desktop and capable of bearing weight. If the desktop is deformed under pressure, the drawer unit can be used as support.” The mentor also asserted, “And with supplies around you, the chances of survival will be higher.”

Chen Yan-xing (陳彥杏), Yuli High School’s director of academic affairs, said, “The Tzu Chi University of Science and Technology was wonderful. They provided our students with transportation expenses and equipment to help with their project.” He added that due to their school workload, the three students could often only work on the project during weekends. “Still, they overcame whatever difficulties they encountered and achieved what they set out to do. Both their mentor and I are very impressed!” Chen was happier than the students themselves to see them win first place and two special awards at the Compassionate Technology Innovation Competition.

Xu Qi-rong expressed his pride for the students. He noted that the resources available to them, living in a rural area, were not as abundant as those for students living in cities, and yet the three managed to achieve their “mission impossible” through their own passion for meaningful innovation and their teachers’ enthusiasm for education.

Photos by Liu Wei-xing

Earthquake-Resistant Modular Furniture Set

● Invention Team
Students from Yuli High School

● Design
The desk and drawer unit in the set are sturdy, capable of providing a survival space during a strong earthquake. They are also outfitted with an LED light, buzzer, and rechargeable battery to increase the chances of rescue in the event of building collapse. The set also includes two chairs with extra storage space for essential survival supplies.

Addressing the issue of surplus produce

While the earthquake-resistant furniture was designed by Taiwanese students, another award-winning invention—the solar-powered automatic drying system—was the brainchild of a group of Indonesian students. These students were from a special class at the Tzu Chi University of Science and Technology. They received scholarships from Indonesia’s Sinar Mas Group to study agricultural production and marketing in Taiwan, aiming to find innovative solutions to challenges facing Indonesia’s agriculture sector.

Bagas Pramana Putra Fadhila, a graduate from this special class, is fluent in Chinese. He explained the reason behind their invention with the help of images on his cell phone. He said that while the quality of the dragon fruit harvested in Indonesia is good, the excessive yield saturates the market, leading to the disposal of the surplus as waste. Chili peppers, essential in Indonesian cuisine, face a similar issue. Bagas hails from the ancient city of Yogyakarta, where his parents run a grocery store. He is most keenly aware of the fluctuating prices of chili peppers in his hometown. “Yogyakarta has many chili pepper farmers,” he said. “Usually, a kilogram of this produce sells for 100,000 rupiah [US$6.37], but during low price periods, it’s only one-tenth of that price.”

Why haven’t Indonesian farmers learned from Taiwan’s farmers’ associations and set up drying centers to address the surplus production issue? It seems simple, but the situation in Indonesia makes such a solution more challenging.

Although Indonesia’s electricity prices are 40 percent less than those in Taiwan, and diesel prices are just half, the income of an average citizen in Indonesia is less than one-sixth that in Taiwan. From this perspective, energy costs in Indonesia are relatively high, making it unviable to dry surplus produce. This explains why, despite being a major chili pepper producer, Indonesia must import large quantities of dried chili peppers from China.

The Indonesian students came up with the idea of using free solar energy to dry excess vegetables and fruits in Indonesia. They created the Solar Thermal Energy Automatic Drying System as their graduation project before returning to their home country for their senior year internship. Student Zhang Mei-hua (張美花) noted: “Using solar thermal energy to dry agricultural products can help farmers increase their income.”

The students sought advice from solar energy expert Dr. Zhang Wen-qu (張文曲) for their project. They first designed a patented solar energy collector using vacuum tubes compatible with solar water heaters. A solar power generator and a recycled dishwasher completed the main structure of the dryer. (The dishwasher served as a drying box.)

The operational principle of this system is simple. A blower propels cold air from the outside into the vacuum tubes, where it absorbs thermal energy from the sun and warms. The resulting hot air rises naturally into the collection tank above before flowing into the drying box through a pipe to dry the vegetables and fruits. The blower and control system are powered entirely by solar energy.

Compared with sun-drying for long-term preservation, drying in sealed equipment ensures better hygiene and is more efficient. The students carefully moved all the components of their system to the top floor of a school building, assembled them there, and then conducted experiments in the drying box with sliced pineapples, bananas, apples, and other fruit.

“The control system was not optimal at first,” said Bagas, “and sometimes the temperature would be too high or too low. But it was a good learning process for us.” He was responsible for writing the drying system’s AIoT, the remote control program combining artificial intelligence (AI) with the Internet of Things (IoT). He found that when the hot air temperature was too high, the sliced vegetables and fruits would dehydrate quickly and become too hard; if the temperature was too low, they would not dry sufficiently and easily become moldy. Gathering solar energy data presented its own set of challenges: “We recorded every hour of the day, but when it suddenly rained, the data could not be used.”

The team disposed of unsuccessfully-dried vegetables and fruits in the kitchen waste recycling bin. Then they used fresh produce to try again, making necessary corrections and adjustments. After numerous rounds of this process, they finally succeeded. Zhang Mei-hua happily shared, “I recently made dried dragon fruit with our invention. I think it’s quite delicious. What’s best, the nutrition is still there!”

Photos by Cai Yuan-yuan

Solar Thermal Energy Automatic Drying System

● Invention Team
Indonesian students from the Department of Business Management at the Tzu Chi University of Science and Technology

● Design
The system consists of three main components: a solar power generator, vacuum tubes, and a drying box. It uses solar thermal energy to heat the air for drying, addressing challenges of produce perishability, limited storage space, and high transportation costs faced by farmers. The dryer’s data is linked to a mobile app for real-time monitoring. This system enhances the value of agricultural products.

Capturing attention

The solar thermal drying system was officially unveiled before summer vacation in 2022, sparking great excitement within the team. The students were based in Hualien when they developed the system, an area with relatively weak sunlight compared to other areas in Taiwan. If the dryer could be effective in Hualien, it would perform even better in Indonesia, with its lower latitudes and stronger sunlight.

According to the data collected by the team, up to 1.9 million tons of chili peppers are discarded annually in Indonesia due to overproduction, which is equivalent to half of its annual production. Processing even one-tenth of the discarded chili peppers into dried peppers could generate a value of 99 million U.S. dollars, comparable to the annual income of 23,000 Indonesian households. Compared to conventional drying processes, this system could save 99 million kilowatt-hours of electricity consumption and reduce carbon emissions by 59,000 tons.

The student team’s innovative creation secured a national patent in Taiwan and won the gold medal in the college green energy innovation category at the 2022 Taiwan Sustainable Energy Creative Implementation Competition. It also garnered the People’s Choice Award and the Special Enterprise Award at the sixth annual Compassionate Technology Innovation Competition held the same year. In October 2023, it won the Silver Award in the Invention Competition at the Taiwan Innotech Expo. The dryer attracted considerable attention from industry professionals during the four-day exposition at the Taipei World Trade Center.

Professor Su Mei-hui (蘇美惠), from the Department of Business Management at the Tzu Chi University of Science and Technology, supervised the drying system project. She said that they had run simulations and found that if they were to dry one ton of produce at a time with their system, they would need to expand it to the size of a shipping container with the vacuum tubes placed on top. Preliminary estimates put the cost of equipment at such a scale at about 750,000 Taiwanese dollars (US$23,600). “According to calculations based on Indonesia’s sunlight conditions, excluding the rainy season, it would take only about 1.7 years to recover the cost,” remarked the professor. She mentioned that during the Taiwan Innotech Expo, a ranch owner from China’s Gansu Province who raised horses suggested that if their equipment could be scaled up to dry a large amount of grass at once, it would more efficiently help people like him store the hay needed for their horses to survive the winter.

Dr. Zhang Wen-qu, the solar energy expert, said that he had learned from people in the petrochemical industry that the toxic sludge produced during oil production is typically dried using electric heating. If solar thermal energy could be used for drying instead, it could save hundreds of millions of dollars in energy costs. “There are many industrial processes that require heat energy. The students’ design could be adapted for more applications by manufacturers,” Zhang said optimistically.

Professor Su further analyzed: “In the past, manufacturers used the most easily accessible and low-cost fuel, coal. However, there is now pressure to reduce carbon emissions, and carbon will be priced in the future. Therefore, they must find clean energy sources to replace it.” In this context, the Solar Thermal Energy Automatic Drying System has a promising future.

The research and development process of the drying system was a valuable experience for the student team. Bagas, for example, demonstrated his strength by designing the AIoT remote control program for the system, which played a significant role in his admission to the prestigious Tsing Hua University in Taiwan for graduate school.

Having gone through the arduous journey of research and development, the young students featured in this article have not only increased their aptitude for problem-solving but also demonstrated creativity in protecting the Earth and practicing environmental sustainability.

By Yeh Tzu-hao
Translated by Wu Hsiao-ting

One team invented earthquake-resistant furniture, while another created a solar-powered drying system to extend the shelf life of agricultural products. They both identified unsolved problems and devised innovative solutions in their work.

Earthquakes are common in our hometown of Yuli, so we designed this product to increase the chances of rescue,” explained Ye Zhen, an 11th-grader at Yuli High School in Hualien, eastern Taiwan.

Ye Zhen and her fellow schoolmates, 12th-grader Zhang Zhi-yan and 11th-grader Wu Bo-yi, along with their mentor Xu Qi-rong, formed a team to devise an earthquake-resistant modular furniture set. Their furniture is engineered to withstand the impact of falling objects and building collapse during tremors. The desk and wheeled drawer unit in the set are sturdy, providing space for survival when other indoor furniture would fail. They are also equipped with a built-in LED light, buzzer, and rechargeable battery, which would facilitate rescue operations. Furthermore, the desk and two accompanying chairs offer extra storage space for essential survival supplies.

The team won first place for their design in the high school category at the seventh annual Compassionate Technology Innovation Competition in 2023. One year earlier, the People’s Choice Award went to a solar-powered automatic drying system designed to preserve agricultural products in Indonesia. The Best Application Award that year was won by a team from Keelung Commercial and Industrial Vocational High School in rainy Keelung for their shoe drying machine. These products were created to meet local needs, concretely demonstrating empathy.

Thinking ahead to save lives

Seismic activity is common in Taiwan’s eastern Hualien and Taitung areas, so residents there are familiar with earthquakes. However, many locals, including the Yuli High School team that invented the earthquake-resistant furniture, still harbor lingering fears from the tremor on Sunday, September 18, 2022. When Ye Zhen returned to her school dormitory after the quake, she found herself and her roommates among the victims, with furniture fallen and items scattered everywhere. Zhang Zhi-yan, who was on the second floor of her home during the tremor, quickly rushed downstairs to check on her grandfather’s safety.

The earthquake left such a profound impact that it motivated Ye, Zhang, and their schoolmate Wu Bo-yi to start a project focusing on earthquake response, aimed particularly at aiding the elderly and those with limited mobility. They undertook the project as part of a school course on innovation in practice. Xu Qi-rong, who works in the computer design department of an international corporation in Taipei, became their mentor for the project. The team decided to center their project around earthquake-resistant furniture. They discussed ideas through videoconferences and attended a relevant workshop at the Tzu Chi University of Science and Technology in Hualien on Saturdays and Sundays. Under Xu Qi-rong’s guidance, the three high school students began by sketching and creating paper models, gradually refining their concept step by step. Eventually, they had a professional model maker create a detailed and realistic display model.

Their modular furniture set includes a desk, two chairs, and a wheeled drawer unit. “Our desktop is crafted from an aluminum honeycomb panel made of recycled aluminum, with a weight-bearing capacity four to six times that of a regular desktop,” explained Ye Zhen. Aluminum honeycomb panels are known for their strength and lightness, commonly used in aircraft construction. Ye highlighted other design features of their furniture set: the desktop is not only lightweight and robust but also includes a handle and an LED light on the side facing the floor. One can use the handle for stability when taking shelter under the desk and the LED light automatically illuminates during an earthquake. In ordinary times, the light can serve as a night light.

To bolster resistance, the team used two oval cabinets to support the desk instead of regular desk legs. A built-in electronic timer, set to emit alerts every three or six months, reminds users to check and update the disaster relief supplies stored within the furniture set.

The wheeled drawer unit consists of three tiers. The top two tiers are designed for storing food, medicine, and other emergency supplies. There are small doors on the sides, allowing access to items when necessary without the need to pull out the drawers. The bottom tier is equipped with a buzzer and charging device. In the event of being trapped during a quake, the buzzer provides an alternative to shouting or knocking, helping to conserve energy.

Xu Qi-rong said that they had planned for the worst-case scenario during their design process. In the case of a collapsing roof, their furniture set had to have a certain degree of rigidity to resist being crushed easily and be able to provide a survival space. “Our drawer unit was not originally designed to bear weight,” he explained, “but we deliberately designed it to be close in height to the desktop and capable of bearing weight. If the desktop is deformed under pressure, the drawer unit can be used as support.” The mentor also asserted, “And with supplies around you, the chances of survival will be higher.”

Chen Yan-xing (陳彥杏), Yuli High School’s director of academic affairs, said, “The Tzu Chi University of Science and Technology was wonderful. They provided our students with transportation expenses and equipment to help with their project.” He added that due to their school workload, the three students could often only work on the project during weekends. “Still, they overcame whatever difficulties they encountered and achieved what they set out to do. Both their mentor and I are very impressed!” Chen was happier than the students themselves to see them win first place and two special awards at the Compassionate Technology Innovation Competition.

Xu Qi-rong expressed his pride for the students. He noted that the resources available to them, living in a rural area, were not as abundant as those for students living in cities, and yet the three managed to achieve their “mission impossible” through their own passion for meaningful innovation and their teachers’ enthusiasm for education.

Photos by Liu Wei-xing

Earthquake-Resistant Modular Furniture Set

● Invention Team
Students from Yuli High School

● Design
The desk and drawer unit in the set are sturdy, capable of providing a survival space during a strong earthquake. They are also outfitted with an LED light, buzzer, and rechargeable battery to increase the chances of rescue in the event of building collapse. The set also includes two chairs with extra storage space for essential survival supplies.

Addressing the issue of surplus produce

While the earthquake-resistant furniture was designed by Taiwanese students, another award-winning invention—the solar-powered automatic drying system—was the brainchild of a group of Indonesian students. These students were from a special class at the Tzu Chi University of Science and Technology. They received scholarships from Indonesia’s Sinar Mas Group to study agricultural production and marketing in Taiwan, aiming to find innovative solutions to challenges facing Indonesia’s agriculture sector.

Bagas Pramana Putra Fadhila, a graduate from this special class, is fluent in Chinese. He explained the reason behind their invention with the help of images on his cell phone. He said that while the quality of the dragon fruit harvested in Indonesia is good, the excessive yield saturates the market, leading to the disposal of the surplus as waste. Chili peppers, essential in Indonesian cuisine, face a similar issue. Bagas hails from the ancient city of Yogyakarta, where his parents run a grocery store. He is most keenly aware of the fluctuating prices of chili peppers in his hometown. “Yogyakarta has many chili pepper farmers,” he said. “Usually, a kilogram of this produce sells for 100,000 rupiah [US$6.37], but during low price periods, it’s only one-tenth of that price.”

Why haven’t Indonesian farmers learned from Taiwan’s farmers’ associations and set up drying centers to address the surplus production issue? It seems simple, but the situation in Indonesia makes such a solution more challenging.

Although Indonesia’s electricity prices are 40 percent less than those in Taiwan, and diesel prices are just half, the income of an average citizen in Indonesia is less than one-sixth that in Taiwan. From this perspective, energy costs in Indonesia are relatively high, making it unviable to dry surplus produce. This explains why, despite being a major chili pepper producer, Indonesia must import large quantities of dried chili peppers from China.

The Indonesian students came up with the idea of using free solar energy to dry excess vegetables and fruits in Indonesia. They created the Solar Thermal Energy Automatic Drying System as their graduation project before returning to their home country for their senior year internship. Student Zhang Mei-hua (張美花) noted: “Using solar thermal energy to dry agricultural products can help farmers increase their income.”

The students sought advice from solar energy expert Dr. Zhang Wen-qu (張文曲) for their project. They first designed a patented solar energy collector using vacuum tubes compatible with solar water heaters. A solar power generator and a recycled dishwasher completed the main structure of the dryer. (The dishwasher served as a drying box.)

The operational principle of this system is simple. A blower propels cold air from the outside into the vacuum tubes, where it absorbs thermal energy from the sun and warms. The resulting hot air rises naturally into the collection tank above before flowing into the drying box through a pipe to dry the vegetables and fruits. The blower and control system are powered entirely by solar energy.

Compared with sun-drying for long-term preservation, drying in sealed equipment ensures better hygiene and is more efficient. The students carefully moved all the components of their system to the top floor of a school building, assembled them there, and then conducted experiments in the drying box with sliced pineapples, bananas, apples, and other fruit.

“The control system was not optimal at first,” said Bagas, “and sometimes the temperature would be too high or too low. But it was a good learning process for us.” He was responsible for writing the drying system’s AIoT, the remote control program combining artificial intelligence (AI) with the Internet of Things (IoT). He found that when the hot air temperature was too high, the sliced vegetables and fruits would dehydrate quickly and become too hard; if the temperature was too low, they would not dry sufficiently and easily become moldy. Gathering solar energy data presented its own set of challenges: “We recorded every hour of the day, but when it suddenly rained, the data could not be used.”

The team disposed of unsuccessfully-dried vegetables and fruits in the kitchen waste recycling bin. Then they used fresh produce to try again, making necessary corrections and adjustments. After numerous rounds of this process, they finally succeeded. Zhang Mei-hua happily shared, “I recently made dried dragon fruit with our invention. I think it’s quite delicious. What’s best, the nutrition is still there!”

Photos by Cai Yuan-yuan

Solar Thermal Energy Automatic Drying System

● Invention Team
Indonesian students from the Department of Business Management at the Tzu Chi University of Science and Technology

● Design
The system consists of three main components: a solar power generator, vacuum tubes, and a drying box. It uses solar thermal energy to heat the air for drying, addressing challenges of produce perishability, limited storage space, and high transportation costs faced by farmers. The dryer’s data is linked to a mobile app for real-time monitoring. This system enhances the value of agricultural products.

Capturing attention

The solar thermal drying system was officially unveiled before summer vacation in 2022, sparking great excitement within the team. The students were based in Hualien when they developed the system, an area with relatively weak sunlight compared to other areas in Taiwan. If the dryer could be effective in Hualien, it would perform even better in Indonesia, with its lower latitudes and stronger sunlight.

According to the data collected by the team, up to 1.9 million tons of chili peppers are discarded annually in Indonesia due to overproduction, which is equivalent to half of its annual production. Processing even one-tenth of the discarded chili peppers into dried peppers could generate a value of 99 million U.S. dollars, comparable to the annual income of 23,000 Indonesian households. Compared to conventional drying processes, this system could save 99 million kilowatt-hours of electricity consumption and reduce carbon emissions by 59,000 tons.

The student team’s innovative creation secured a national patent in Taiwan and won the gold medal in the college green energy innovation category at the 2022 Taiwan Sustainable Energy Creative Implementation Competition. It also garnered the People’s Choice Award and the Special Enterprise Award at the sixth annual Compassionate Technology Innovation Competition held the same year. In October 2023, it won the Silver Award in the Invention Competition at the Taiwan Innotech Expo. The dryer attracted considerable attention from industry professionals during the four-day exposition at the Taipei World Trade Center.

Professor Su Mei-hui (蘇美惠), from the Department of Business Management at the Tzu Chi University of Science and Technology, supervised the drying system project. She said that they had run simulations and found that if they were to dry one ton of produce at a time with their system, they would need to expand it to the size of a shipping container with the vacuum tubes placed on top. Preliminary estimates put the cost of equipment at such a scale at about 750,000 Taiwanese dollars (US$23,600). “According to calculations based on Indonesia’s sunlight conditions, excluding the rainy season, it would take only about 1.7 years to recover the cost,” remarked the professor. She mentioned that during the Taiwan Innotech Expo, a ranch owner from China’s Gansu Province who raised horses suggested that if their equipment could be scaled up to dry a large amount of grass at once, it would more efficiently help people like him store the hay needed for their horses to survive the winter.

Dr. Zhang Wen-qu, the solar energy expert, said that he had learned from people in the petrochemical industry that the toxic sludge produced during oil production is typically dried using electric heating. If solar thermal energy could be used for drying instead, it could save hundreds of millions of dollars in energy costs. “There are many industrial processes that require heat energy. The students’ design could be adapted for more applications by manufacturers,” Zhang said optimistically.

Professor Su further analyzed: “In the past, manufacturers used the most easily accessible and low-cost fuel, coal. However, there is now pressure to reduce carbon emissions, and carbon will be priced in the future. Therefore, they must find clean energy sources to replace it.” In this context, the Solar Thermal Energy Automatic Drying System has a promising future.

The research and development process of the drying system was a valuable experience for the student team. Bagas, for example, demonstrated his strength by designing the AIoT remote control program for the system, which played a significant role in his admission to the prestigious Tsing Hua University in Taiwan for graduate school.

Having gone through the arduous journey of research and development, the young students featured in this article have not only increased their aptitude for problem-solving but also demonstrated creativity in protecting the Earth and practicing environmental sustainability.

關鍵字

Incubating Young Inventors—The Compassionate Technology Innovation Competition

By Yeh Tzu-hao
Edited and translated by Wu Hsiao-ting

Photos by You Jun-hong and Liu Wei-xing

The Compassionate Technology Innovation Competition has been running for seven years. Forty-seven outstanding ideas have been recognized and awarded prizes, with some projects already in the commercialization stage. Fueled by creativity and visions that prioritize societal welfare, young inventors are breaking new ground and driving change in the world.

Xue Kai-jie (薛凱潔), a student from the National Taipei University of Education, stood before her creation, the Turtle Protection Cover, presenting her invention concept to the judges. She explained that global warming has raised sand temperatures on the beaches where sea turtles nest, and because the temperature of the sand determines the sex of the hatchlings, more female turtles are being born than male. This imbalance is so extreme that in some cases 90 percent of newborn turtles are female. “Without intervention, these creatures face the risk of extinction,” she said.

The Turtle Protection Cover, resembling an inverted wok, is made from sugarcane pulp combined with other natural materials, such as seaweed gel. It provides shade and ventilation, keeping the sand on the beach cooler. A signboard on top indicates the presence of turtle eggs underneath, while several openings at the bottom allow hatchling turtles to crawl towards the ocean.

A question and answer (Q&A) session followed Xue’s presentation. Dr. Chao You-chen (趙有誠), superintendent of Taipei Tzu Chi Hospital and one of the judges, was the first to ask a question. He said, “There are few talents like you in the world, but there are many people who care about sea turtles. My question is, how original is this project?” Following him, Mr. Cai Zhen-hui (蔡禎輝) from the Industrial Technology Research Institute and Mr. Wu Zhi-xiang (伍志翔) from the design industry also asked questions. They wanted to know about the carbon footprint of sugarcane pulp and whether using waste materials like this could increase carbon footprints elsewhere. They also asked if there were similar solutions addressing this issue and where Xue thought her creation excelled. The string of questions tested the contestant’s ability to respond spontaneously and her familiarity with relevant issues.

The next contestant was a team from the National Yunlin University of Science and Technology. Already standing ready off to one side, they presented their creation, a massage mattress for bedridden patients. They called it the Compassionate Mattress. Despite only having a conceptual model made of a human model, cardboard, and sheets on the display table, the judges took their design seriously and listened attentively.

“Some people enjoy staying in bed a little longer in the morning, but for others, being bedridden is not a choice,” explained team representative Zhang Ming-yuan (張銘元). “These patients may require specialized care and can develop pressure sores. We aim to alleviate their suffering.” He highlighted the differences between their pressure-relieving mattress and commercially available air mattresses. While the latter use parallel sections of air cushions that are alternately inflated and deflated to relieve pressure, their new version uses a motor-driven cam structure to move dozens of cylinders up and down. Their design not only avoids prolonged pressure points but also provides a massage effect.

“I would like the judges to experience how the massage feels firsthand,” Zhang said. Under his guidance, the three judges pressed their palms on the sheet covering the model, feeling the dynamic up-and-down motion. Judge Wu Zhi-xiang cautioned, “If the cylinders are too soft, the cam mechanism may not achieve the massage effect; if they are too hard, there may be discomfort.”

Another contestant, the “Water Providers” team from the Tzu Chi University of Science and Technology, spent a year and a half developing a non-electric water purification device. This device can provide clean water in areas with unreliable electricity. Team member Jiang Yi-hui (蔣怡慧), with a nursing background, explained that their motivation for the design came from media reports highlighting the lack of clean drinking water in underdeveloped regions like Africa. Although they experienced several failures during the development of their manually operated water purifier, they remained determined, considering their goal worthy of the effort.

The team used simple materials such as water pipes, plastic bottles, and old clothes to create a filter. The old clothes can be cleaned and reused after filtration, achieving a high level of recycling. The device is economical, lightweight, and environmentally friendly, with changeable and easily obtainable parts.

College students Xiao Cai-xuan (left) and Lai Ting-kai (right) collaborated to create a device capable of converting and storing energy. This device can quickly provide electricity during natural disasters or mountain accidents.

Yan Fu-jiang

The “Water Providers” team presents their invention in the final competition of the seventh annual Compassionate Technology Innovation Competition. The team developed a non-electric water purification device that can provide clean drinking water in emergencies.

Liu Wei-xing

Everyone is a winner

Over a hundred entries had competed for a chance to be selected for the finals of the seventh annual Compassionate Technology Innovation Competition. Sixteen works were selected from the college group and eight from the high school group. The three inventions featured above were among those selected for the final competition, which was held on November 18, 2023, at Taipei’s Plantārium.

After a series of intense presentations and Q&A sessions that day, the top three works from each group were announced, as well as the People’s Choice Award, the Special Enterprise Award, and other special category prizes. Xiao Cai-xuan (蕭采宣) and Lai Ting-kai (賴廷愷), currently studying at National Taiwan Ocean University and Fu Jen Catholic University respectively, won first place in the college group. They invented a device that can convert and store energy, ideal for quickly supplying power to mobile phones or wearable devices during natural disasters or mountain emergencies. A team from Yuli High School, consisting of students Ye Zhen (葉蓁), Wu Bo-yi (吳柏逸), and Zhang Zhi-yan (張芷妍) and their mentor Xu Qi-rong (徐啟榮), developed an earthquake-resistant modular furniture set in response to the high frequency of earthquakes in Taiwan. They garnered first prize in the high school group.

Some of the award-winning works were already physical products, while others were still in the conceptual stage but showed considerable potential for further development. Regardless of their final ranking, every participant who went through the challenging phase of intense mental effort and learned through practical experience was a winner from a learning and growth perspective.

Judges get hands-on experience with the massage mattress for bedridden patients invented by the team from the National Yunlin University of Science and Technology.

Liu Wei-xing

Inspiring creativity for positive change

The Compassionate Technology Innovation Competition, jointly organized by the Tzu Chi Foundation and the Tzu Chi University of Science and Technology, has been running since 2017. It aims to inspire students to use their creativity for positive change. Starting with just over 40 teams in the first year, the competition grew to over 120 teams by the seventh year in 2023. The growth shows that despite facing challenges in our ever-changing world, many young people are determined to pursue their dreams of making a difference.

Participants showcase their creativity in two main areas: charity and healthcare. Teams interested in charity focus on disaster prevention, preparedness, relief efforts, or projects that can improve the livelihoods of disadvantaged people or promote community and environmental sustainability. Those interested in healthcare work toward supporting the elderly and the weak, improving long-term care, or developing products that can enhance the safety and well-being of patients.

Entries must adhere to at least two of the 5 R’s of sustainability: refuse, reduce, reuse, repurpose, recycle. Lo Wen-jui (羅文瑞), president of the Tzu Chi University of Science and Technology, explained: “Many products consume a lot of resources and cause significant pollution during their development and mass production. That’s why we require that our contestants make environmental protection a key consideration in their creative inventions.”

Last year’s competition began with registration on May 1, 2023. It attracted over 120 teams, with 24 teams ultimately selected to enter the finals. Each finalist made thorough preparations to present their creation and answer the judges’ questions during the final competition on November 18, aiming to achieve a good ranking and win prize money.

Judges assess entries based on aspects such as practicality, ease of use, reasonable pricing, and market acceptance. They also provide feedback and advice to each team. Superintendent Chao You-chen of Taipei Tzu Chi Hospital emphasized during the final competition on November 18 that there will always be winners and losers in any competition. He said, “If we compete on who weighs the heaviest, I win, but if it’s about who is the youngest, you win. If the announced results differ from your expectations, keep in mind that your win or loss is just a matter of perspective. While some competitions focus on commercial value, we emphasize compassion and care for the disadvantaged or the Earth.” He affirmed that everyone’s creative ideas already had a good start. “Perhaps one of you here today will become another Bill Gates,” he added. “When that day comes and your pockets are full, remember that your initial intention was to help others.”

The Yuli High School team developed an earthquake-resistant modular furniture set in response to the high frequency of earthquakes in Taiwan. They clinched first place in the high school group. Deputy CEO Scott Liu (third from right) of the Tzu Chi charity mission posed with the team during the award ceremony.

Yan Fu-jiang

Compassion at the core

Professor Pan Zhi-long (潘志龍), who led the team from the National Yunlin University of Science and Technology, highlighted the current emphasis in education on bridging the gap between learning and practical application. He noted that recognition or awards in national or international contests like the Compassionate Technology Innovation Competition can significantly benefit students’ future academic and career paths.

President Lo Wen-jui added that when it comes to invention and product development, student teams cannot compete with well-funded companies in terms of financial resources, equipment, and technology. But though the ideas and prototypes the students present may be unpolished, he still encourages everyone to engage in innovative research and development. Scott Liu (劉效成), deputy CEO of the Tzu Chi charity mission, on the other hand, remarked that innovation does not necessarily mean inventing new things. “It can be about integrating existing technologies with compassionate thoughts and the needs of mankind, enabling the technologies to have a greater positive impact.”

Compassion is at the core of compassionate technology development as encouraged by the competition. Its focus is on whether technology can help people find relief from suffering and attain happiness while being friendly to all beings on the Earth and beneficial to the environment. Innovation and development driven by an altruistic heart have unlimited potential. Tzu Chi invites warm-hearted and creative young individuals to participate in this competition for kindness, contributing their love and wisdom to benefit the world.

By Yeh Tzu-hao
Edited and translated by Wu Hsiao-ting

Photos by You Jun-hong and Liu Wei-xing

The Compassionate Technology Innovation Competition has been running for seven years. Forty-seven outstanding ideas have been recognized and awarded prizes, with some projects already in the commercialization stage. Fueled by creativity and visions that prioritize societal welfare, young inventors are breaking new ground and driving change in the world.

Xue Kai-jie (薛凱潔), a student from the National Taipei University of Education, stood before her creation, the Turtle Protection Cover, presenting her invention concept to the judges. She explained that global warming has raised sand temperatures on the beaches where sea turtles nest, and because the temperature of the sand determines the sex of the hatchlings, more female turtles are being born than male. This imbalance is so extreme that in some cases 90 percent of newborn turtles are female. “Without intervention, these creatures face the risk of extinction,” she said.

The Turtle Protection Cover, resembling an inverted wok, is made from sugarcane pulp combined with other natural materials, such as seaweed gel. It provides shade and ventilation, keeping the sand on the beach cooler. A signboard on top indicates the presence of turtle eggs underneath, while several openings at the bottom allow hatchling turtles to crawl towards the ocean.

A question and answer (Q&A) session followed Xue’s presentation. Dr. Chao You-chen (趙有誠), superintendent of Taipei Tzu Chi Hospital and one of the judges, was the first to ask a question. He said, “There are few talents like you in the world, but there are many people who care about sea turtles. My question is, how original is this project?” Following him, Mr. Cai Zhen-hui (蔡禎輝) from the Industrial Technology Research Institute and Mr. Wu Zhi-xiang (伍志翔) from the design industry also asked questions. They wanted to know about the carbon footprint of sugarcane pulp and whether using waste materials like this could increase carbon footprints elsewhere. They also asked if there were similar solutions addressing this issue and where Xue thought her creation excelled. The string of questions tested the contestant’s ability to respond spontaneously and her familiarity with relevant issues.

The next contestant was a team from the National Yunlin University of Science and Technology. Already standing ready off to one side, they presented their creation, a massage mattress for bedridden patients. They called it the Compassionate Mattress. Despite only having a conceptual model made of a human model, cardboard, and sheets on the display table, the judges took their design seriously and listened attentively.

“Some people enjoy staying in bed a little longer in the morning, but for others, being bedridden is not a choice,” explained team representative Zhang Ming-yuan (張銘元). “These patients may require specialized care and can develop pressure sores. We aim to alleviate their suffering.” He highlighted the differences between their pressure-relieving mattress and commercially available air mattresses. While the latter use parallel sections of air cushions that are alternately inflated and deflated to relieve pressure, their new version uses a motor-driven cam structure to move dozens of cylinders up and down. Their design not only avoids prolonged pressure points but also provides a massage effect.

“I would like the judges to experience how the massage feels firsthand,” Zhang said. Under his guidance, the three judges pressed their palms on the sheet covering the model, feeling the dynamic up-and-down motion. Judge Wu Zhi-xiang cautioned, “If the cylinders are too soft, the cam mechanism may not achieve the massage effect; if they are too hard, there may be discomfort.”

Another contestant, the “Water Providers” team from the Tzu Chi University of Science and Technology, spent a year and a half developing a non-electric water purification device. This device can provide clean water in areas with unreliable electricity. Team member Jiang Yi-hui (蔣怡慧), with a nursing background, explained that their motivation for the design came from media reports highlighting the lack of clean drinking water in underdeveloped regions like Africa. Although they experienced several failures during the development of their manually operated water purifier, they remained determined, considering their goal worthy of the effort.

The team used simple materials such as water pipes, plastic bottles, and old clothes to create a filter. The old clothes can be cleaned and reused after filtration, achieving a high level of recycling. The device is economical, lightweight, and environmentally friendly, with changeable and easily obtainable parts.

College students Xiao Cai-xuan (left) and Lai Ting-kai (right) collaborated to create a device capable of converting and storing energy. This device can quickly provide electricity during natural disasters or mountain accidents.

Yan Fu-jiang

The “Water Providers” team presents their invention in the final competition of the seventh annual Compassionate Technology Innovation Competition. The team developed a non-electric water purification device that can provide clean drinking water in emergencies.

Liu Wei-xing

Everyone is a winner

Over a hundred entries had competed for a chance to be selected for the finals of the seventh annual Compassionate Technology Innovation Competition. Sixteen works were selected from the college group and eight from the high school group. The three inventions featured above were among those selected for the final competition, which was held on November 18, 2023, at Taipei’s Plantārium.

After a series of intense presentations and Q&A sessions that day, the top three works from each group were announced, as well as the People’s Choice Award, the Special Enterprise Award, and other special category prizes. Xiao Cai-xuan (蕭采宣) and Lai Ting-kai (賴廷愷), currently studying at National Taiwan Ocean University and Fu Jen Catholic University respectively, won first place in the college group. They invented a device that can convert and store energy, ideal for quickly supplying power to mobile phones or wearable devices during natural disasters or mountain emergencies. A team from Yuli High School, consisting of students Ye Zhen (葉蓁), Wu Bo-yi (吳柏逸), and Zhang Zhi-yan (張芷妍) and their mentor Xu Qi-rong (徐啟榮), developed an earthquake-resistant modular furniture set in response to the high frequency of earthquakes in Taiwan. They garnered first prize in the high school group.

Some of the award-winning works were already physical products, while others were still in the conceptual stage but showed considerable potential for further development. Regardless of their final ranking, every participant who went through the challenging phase of intense mental effort and learned through practical experience was a winner from a learning and growth perspective.

Judges get hands-on experience with the massage mattress for bedridden patients invented by the team from the National Yunlin University of Science and Technology.

Liu Wei-xing

Inspiring creativity for positive change

The Compassionate Technology Innovation Competition, jointly organized by the Tzu Chi Foundation and the Tzu Chi University of Science and Technology, has been running since 2017. It aims to inspire students to use their creativity for positive change. Starting with just over 40 teams in the first year, the competition grew to over 120 teams by the seventh year in 2023. The growth shows that despite facing challenges in our ever-changing world, many young people are determined to pursue their dreams of making a difference.

Participants showcase their creativity in two main areas: charity and healthcare. Teams interested in charity focus on disaster prevention, preparedness, relief efforts, or projects that can improve the livelihoods of disadvantaged people or promote community and environmental sustainability. Those interested in healthcare work toward supporting the elderly and the weak, improving long-term care, or developing products that can enhance the safety and well-being of patients.

Entries must adhere to at least two of the 5 R’s of sustainability: refuse, reduce, reuse, repurpose, recycle. Lo Wen-jui (羅文瑞), president of the Tzu Chi University of Science and Technology, explained: “Many products consume a lot of resources and cause significant pollution during their development and mass production. That’s why we require that our contestants make environmental protection a key consideration in their creative inventions.”

Last year’s competition began with registration on May 1, 2023. It attracted over 120 teams, with 24 teams ultimately selected to enter the finals. Each finalist made thorough preparations to present their creation and answer the judges’ questions during the final competition on November 18, aiming to achieve a good ranking and win prize money.

Judges assess entries based on aspects such as practicality, ease of use, reasonable pricing, and market acceptance. They also provide feedback and advice to each team. Superintendent Chao You-chen of Taipei Tzu Chi Hospital emphasized during the final competition on November 18 that there will always be winners and losers in any competition. He said, “If we compete on who weighs the heaviest, I win, but if it’s about who is the youngest, you win. If the announced results differ from your expectations, keep in mind that your win or loss is just a matter of perspective. While some competitions focus on commercial value, we emphasize compassion and care for the disadvantaged or the Earth.” He affirmed that everyone’s creative ideas already had a good start. “Perhaps one of you here today will become another Bill Gates,” he added. “When that day comes and your pockets are full, remember that your initial intention was to help others.”

The Yuli High School team developed an earthquake-resistant modular furniture set in response to the high frequency of earthquakes in Taiwan. They clinched first place in the high school group. Deputy CEO Scott Liu (third from right) of the Tzu Chi charity mission posed with the team during the award ceremony.

Yan Fu-jiang

Compassion at the core

Professor Pan Zhi-long (潘志龍), who led the team from the National Yunlin University of Science and Technology, highlighted the current emphasis in education on bridging the gap between learning and practical application. He noted that recognition or awards in national or international contests like the Compassionate Technology Innovation Competition can significantly benefit students’ future academic and career paths.

President Lo Wen-jui added that when it comes to invention and product development, student teams cannot compete with well-funded companies in terms of financial resources, equipment, and technology. But though the ideas and prototypes the students present may be unpolished, he still encourages everyone to engage in innovative research and development. Scott Liu (劉效成), deputy CEO of the Tzu Chi charity mission, on the other hand, remarked that innovation does not necessarily mean inventing new things. “It can be about integrating existing technologies with compassionate thoughts and the needs of mankind, enabling the technologies to have a greater positive impact.”

Compassion is at the core of compassionate technology development as encouraged by the competition. Its focus is on whether technology can help people find relief from suffering and attain happiness while being friendly to all beings on the Earth and beneficial to the environment. Innovation and development driven by an altruistic heart have unlimited potential. Tzu Chi invites warm-hearted and creative young individuals to participate in this competition for kindness, contributing their love and wisdom to benefit the world.

關鍵字

Conrado’s Colorful World Comes Alive—A Story From the Tzu Chi Eye Center, the Philippines

Text and photo by Jamaica Mae Digo

Conrado Peñamora found joy and purpose in painting, so when cataracts developed in both of his eyes, he became listless. The Tzu Chi Eye Center helped him undergo surgery, bringing colors back into his life.

With his cataracts successfully removed, Conrado Peñamora is now occupied with working on commissioned paintings.

On January 23, the Tzu Chi Eye Center in Manila, the Philippines, received an extraordinary gift from one of its patients: stunningly lifelike oil paintings of Dharma Master Cheng Yen, the founder of Tzu Chi, and volunteer surgeon Dr. Peter Lee (李悅民)!

The artist, Conrado Peñamora, 79, created the portraits shortly after undergoing successful surgeries at the Tzu Chi Eye Center in 2023. He finished the paintings, his first creations upon recovering his eyesight, in two months.

“I am grateful to everyone who helped me, but most importantly, to Tzu Chi. If not for their help, my eyesight would not have recovered its clarity,” Conrado said. “After the surgery, I received many requests to paint, but I insisted on working on Master Cheng Yen and Dr. Peter’s portraits first. I would say that these paintings are my masterpieces. They are the most beautiful works of art I have ever created!”

Tzu Chi volunteers were very moved by Conrado’s effort. “This is very unexpected,” volunteer Alfredo Li (李偉嵩) told Conrado, patting him on the back. “Master Cheng Yen said: ‘When we do something good, goodness will return to us unexpectedly.’ This is exactly what happened today.”

“This is a priceless gift,” Dr. Peter agreed. He added that he would display Conrado’s portrait of him in his clinic. “Thank you!” Dr. Peter told him.

Conrado had suffered for nearly three years from poor vision caused by cataracts. In his younger years, he worked as a graphic and layout artist for a printing company. However, when technology disrupted his livelihood, he got laid off. “Computers are now the ones doing most of the work,” he lamented. “It’s very discouraging.”

To keep himself busy, Conrado went back to doing his first love: drawing and painting. He was a Fine Arts undergraduate from the University of Santo Tomas, after all. However, this hobby became very challenging when his vision started to decline. “I had to strain my eyes and wear thick lenses to see my subject,” Conrado said.

Cataracts also made colors appear dull and faded, affecting the quality of his work. For example, he once painted a picture of one of his children’s family while struggling with the condition. It was only after he recovered his eyesight that he realized it had come out yellowish.

And it wasn’t just Conrado’s art that suffered because of his eye ailment—his family also noticed a difference in his behavior. “He became sullen,” described Jeffrey, Conrado’s son-in-law.

Conrado had known for years about the charitable work of Tzu Chi. He used to reside in Santa Mesa, Manila, a few blocks from the Tzu Chi mission complex in Bacood. After the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted his children’s business, Conrado’s family was compelled to move to more affordable rental housing in Dasmariñas, Cavite. Despite the distance from their new home to the Tzu Chi Eye Center, Conrado made the long journey to have his eyes checked.

In July 2023, Dr. Peter Lee performed cataract removal surgery on Conrado’s left eye. A month later, Conrado underwent another operation on the right eye. From a visual acuity of 20/200 in both eyes on his first checkup, Conrado’s vision improved to 20/20 on the right and 20/30 on the left. “I feel like a child again!” Conrado giggled.

Today, Conrado continues to paint and proudly declares that he had discarded the pair of eyeglasses he used to wear. “I have no use for them now,” he said, “because I can see so much better. The paintings I create now are even better than the ones I used to create.”

Occupied with requests piling up from clients for portraits, Conrado has never felt more alive. “Painting means a lot to me. It’s one of the things that keeps me strong and young. It also keeps the loneliness at bay because I am constantly busy,” he asserted.

The Tzu Chi Eye Center

Compiled and translated by Wu Hsiao-ting

The Tzu Chi Eye Center in Manila opened in 2016 and is staffed free of charge by medical professionals from the Tzu Chi International Medical Association (TIMA). The center serves an average of 700 patients per week, providing free exams and surgeries to prevent blindness, which can significantly impact families’ livelihoods. In 2023 alone, it handled over 20,000 outpatient visits, dispensed medication to 14,000 patients (each visit counted as an individual), and performed nearly 3,000 surgeries. TIMA doctors completed 1,023 shifts, while support volunteers contributed over 1,500 shifts.

This year, the center collaborated with the Ramon Magsaysay Awards Foundation’s Transformative Leadership Institute for a large-scale free clinic event. During the two-day event, held on February 20 and 21, 12 TIMA doctors and Dr. Tadashi Hattori, a Ramon Magsaysay Award recipient in 2022, performed cataract surgeries, restoring vision for over 200 disadvantaged patients.

Text and photo by Jamaica Mae Digo

Conrado Peñamora found joy and purpose in painting, so when cataracts developed in both of his eyes, he became listless. The Tzu Chi Eye Center helped him undergo surgery, bringing colors back into his life.

With his cataracts successfully removed, Conrado Peñamora is now occupied with working on commissioned paintings.

On January 23, the Tzu Chi Eye Center in Manila, the Philippines, received an extraordinary gift from one of its patients: stunningly lifelike oil paintings of Dharma Master Cheng Yen, the founder of Tzu Chi, and volunteer surgeon Dr. Peter Lee (李悅民)!

The artist, Conrado Peñamora, 79, created the portraits shortly after undergoing successful surgeries at the Tzu Chi Eye Center in 2023. He finished the paintings, his first creations upon recovering his eyesight, in two months.

“I am grateful to everyone who helped me, but most importantly, to Tzu Chi. If not for their help, my eyesight would not have recovered its clarity,” Conrado said. “After the surgery, I received many requests to paint, but I insisted on working on Master Cheng Yen and Dr. Peter’s portraits first. I would say that these paintings are my masterpieces. They are the most beautiful works of art I have ever created!”

Tzu Chi volunteers were very moved by Conrado’s effort. “This is very unexpected,” volunteer Alfredo Li (李偉嵩) told Conrado, patting him on the back. “Master Cheng Yen said: ‘When we do something good, goodness will return to us unexpectedly.’ This is exactly what happened today.”

“This is a priceless gift,” Dr. Peter agreed. He added that he would display Conrado’s portrait of him in his clinic. “Thank you!” Dr. Peter told him.

Conrado had suffered for nearly three years from poor vision caused by cataracts. In his younger years, he worked as a graphic and layout artist for a printing company. However, when technology disrupted his livelihood, he got laid off. “Computers are now the ones doing most of the work,” he lamented. “It’s very discouraging.”

To keep himself busy, Conrado went back to doing his first love: drawing and painting. He was a Fine Arts undergraduate from the University of Santo Tomas, after all. However, this hobby became very challenging when his vision started to decline. “I had to strain my eyes and wear thick lenses to see my subject,” Conrado said.

Cataracts also made colors appear dull and faded, affecting the quality of his work. For example, he once painted a picture of one of his children’s family while struggling with the condition. It was only after he recovered his eyesight that he realized it had come out yellowish.

And it wasn’t just Conrado’s art that suffered because of his eye ailment—his family also noticed a difference in his behavior. “He became sullen,” described Jeffrey, Conrado’s son-in-law.

Conrado had known for years about the charitable work of Tzu Chi. He used to reside in Santa Mesa, Manila, a few blocks from the Tzu Chi mission complex in Bacood. After the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted his children’s business, Conrado’s family was compelled to move to more affordable rental housing in Dasmariñas, Cavite. Despite the distance from their new home to the Tzu Chi Eye Center, Conrado made the long journey to have his eyes checked.

In July 2023, Dr. Peter Lee performed cataract removal surgery on Conrado’s left eye. A month later, Conrado underwent another operation on the right eye. From a visual acuity of 20/200 in both eyes on his first checkup, Conrado’s vision improved to 20/20 on the right and 20/30 on the left. “I feel like a child again!” Conrado giggled.

Today, Conrado continues to paint and proudly declares that he had discarded the pair of eyeglasses he used to wear. “I have no use for them now,” he said, “because I can see so much better. The paintings I create now are even better than the ones I used to create.”

Occupied with requests piling up from clients for portraits, Conrado has never felt more alive. “Painting means a lot to me. It’s one of the things that keeps me strong and young. It also keeps the loneliness at bay because I am constantly busy,” he asserted.

The Tzu Chi Eye Center

Compiled and translated by Wu Hsiao-ting

The Tzu Chi Eye Center in Manila opened in 2016 and is staffed free of charge by medical professionals from the Tzu Chi International Medical Association (TIMA). The center serves an average of 700 patients per week, providing free exams and surgeries to prevent blindness, which can significantly impact families’ livelihoods. In 2023 alone, it handled over 20,000 outpatient visits, dispensed medication to 14,000 patients (each visit counted as an individual), and performed nearly 3,000 surgeries. TIMA doctors completed 1,023 shifts, while support volunteers contributed over 1,500 shifts.

This year, the center collaborated with the Ramon Magsaysay Awards Foundation’s Transformative Leadership Institute for a large-scale free clinic event. During the two-day event, held on February 20 and 21, 12 TIMA doctors and Dr. Tadashi Hattori, a Ramon Magsaysay Award recipient in 2022, performed cataract surgeries, restoring vision for over 200 disadvantaged patients.

關鍵字

Taiwan’s April 3 Hualien Earthquake—Tzu Chi’s Response

By Yeh Tzu-hao
Abridged and translated by Wu Hsiao-ting

As Taiwan grappled with the aftermath of the April 3 earthquake, Tzu Chi brought solace and aid to those reeling from the disaster’s impact.

The Uranus Building in Hualien City, Hualien County, partially collapsed during an earthquake that hit Taiwan on April 3, prompting the deployment of search and rescue workers.

Luo Ming-dao

On the morning of April 3, Taiwan was rocked by a formidable magnitude 7.2 earthquake. Eastern Hualien County, located near the epicenter, bore the brunt of the impact. Some buildings partially collapsed or were rendered uninhabitable. Taroko National Park, a popular tourist destination, suffered devastation from landslides and rockfalls. In response, the authorities acted swiftly, mobilizing search and rescue teams to aid affected areas.

In the immediate aftermath, the Tzu Chi Foundation set up operations at the Hualien County Government Disaster Response Center, the only civilian organization to do so. Deploying manpower and resources, Tzu Chi worked with the authorities and other NGOs, providing comprehensive support to affected residents and assisting in frontline rescue efforts.

🔎 Zoom in picture)

Aiding in airlift operations

Household items in numerous buildings across northern Hualien were toppled or strewn about during the intense shaking of the earthquake. Residents also fell as they sought refuge. Over 1,100 injuries were recorded across Taiwan. Among the injured was Mayor Wei Jia-yan (魏嘉彥) of Hualien City, the county seat. “A wardrobe fell and hit my foot,” recounted the mayor, “luckily no bones were broken.” Using a crutch due to his injured left foot, he vividly showed the quake’s impact as he oversaw relief operations in the aftermath.

“Some quake victims required surgery or hospitalization,” said Tzu Chi volunteer Li Si-bei (李思蓓), who works at Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital. “I enlisted fellow volunteers to provide support for them, bringing the love of Master Cheng Yen and volunteers from around the world.” Li herself was affected by the temblor, but after instructing her two daughters to tidy up the fallen items at home, she quickly made her way to the hospital to assist injured patients.

Li vividly remembered the arrival of the first eight patients at the hospital, among them a woman named Chen. Ms. Chen had been preparing to deliver vegetables she had grown herself to a friend when the earthquake struck. She suffered a fractured hip bone when she was caught under a fallen cabinet at her front door. “Unable to wait for an ambulance,” Li said, “Ms. Chen hailed a taxi to the hospital. She was in such pain when she arrived that she couldn’t even put weight on her feet; an emergency room physician had to carry her in.”

Landslides in Taroko National Park blocked roads and left hundreds of people stranded in mountainous regions. With vehicles unable to navigate through the terrain, helicopters were used for transporting people and supplies. The Hualien County Police Department reached out to the Ministry of the Interior’s National Airborne Service Corps for assistance and also sought support from Tzu Chi to provide relief supplies.

“We have never been involved in helicopter airlifts before,” remarked Tzu Chi volunteer Xu Zhi-xian (許志賢), a retired police officer. “This is the first time we’ve encountered such a situation.” As a cadre member of the Hualien chapter of the Tzu Chi Association of Police, Firefighters, and Their Families, Xu maintains regular communication with local law enforcement and firefighters. He helped organize the response after Tzu Chi was requested to provide relief supplies. At 6 a.m. on April 5, equipped with essential supplies, a team of Tzu Chi representatives, led by Dharma Master De Mai (德勱) from the Jing Si Abode and accompanied by the police, set off in three police cars and one truck, heading towards the Taroko helicopter landing pad.

“The first helicopter mission transported nine stranded individuals from Tianxiang [in Taroko National Park],” said Xu, who was part of the Tzu Chi team. “Among them were tourists from Singapore and Hong Kong. They were deeply touched to see Master De Mai and our volunteers offering care on-site. Some were moved to tears.” Xu noted that over 600 people were trapped in the Taroko area after the earthquake, including tourists, hotel staff, and personnel from the Tianxiang Police Station and the Seventh Special Police Corps, all in need of food, water, and other supplies. The collaboration between Tzu Chi, the Hualien County Police Department, and the Airborne Service Corps facilitated two rounds of airlifts, providing crucial aid until roads were cleared.

On the afternoon of April 3, Dharma Master Cheng Yen arrived at the site of the collapsed Uranus Building, where she expressed care for the on-site volunteers and rescue workers.

Courtesy of Tzu Chi Hualien headquarters

Partnerships in action

According to data from the Hualien County Government, the earthquake caused 77 buildings in the county to collapse or become hazardous, affecting over 1,700 households. In response, the county government and township offices established temporary shelters at eight locations, including Huaren Junior High School and Zhonghua Elementary School. Tzu Chi also contributed to the relief efforts.

Lu Hsueh-cheng (呂學正), director of the Comprehensive Planning Office at Tzu Chi’s Department of Charity Mission Development, remarked, “Compared to the February 6 earthquake six years ago, the government’s response this time was so swift it was beyond my imagination. When I arrived at Huaren Junior High School around ten o’clock that morning, personnel from the Ji’an Township Office had already prepared the shelter equipment. The staff was also in place.” He noted that Tzu Chi had strengthened its collaboration with the public sector in this regard over the past two years. For example, they partnered with the Ji’an Township Office last year for disaster response and shelter exercises. Various signage prepared during those exercises proved useful during this crisis too.

Huaren Junior High School played a crucial role in Ji’an Township’s response to the earthquake. Red Cross-provided tents were erected across the playground, while the multifunctional gymnasium, constructed by Tzu Chi for the school seven years ago, offered shelter space equipped with privacy cubicles, folding beds, and blankets—all provided by Tzu Chi—ensuring the comfort and privacy of displaced residents.

To alleviate post-disaster inconveniences, government agencies and civil organizations dispatched personnel to aid displaced quake victims. At the shelter set up in Zhonghua Elementary School, for example, staff from the National Health Insurance Administration facilitated the reissuance of national health insurance cards for those who fled without them. A telecommunications company installed phones for evacuees to make free local calls, real estate agents coordinated rental matching services, and the military erected field shower tents in a corner of the playground. “Twelve people at most are allowed to shower at one time, with two daily time slots available—one for men and the other for women,” said the responsible officer.

With the generous support of people from all walks of life, the shelters established after the earthquake were well-stocked with essentials. However, despite this touching assistance and regardless of how well-equipped a shelter may be, nothing could replace the comfort of one’s own home. “There was an elderly man who said he had lost everything and felt utterly despondent,” Mayor Wei Jia-yan said. “Our social workers and other colleagues made continuous efforts to uplift his spirits.” Speaking of this, the mayor extended special thanks to Professor Gu from Dong Hwa University in Hualien for organizing transportation to take affected residents, including the elderly man, to the university campus in the hope that the beautiful surroundings would provide some comfort.

Empathizing with the plight of quake victims, Tzu Chi enlisted seasoned senior volunteers to work alongside professional social workers and contracted psychologists from health agencies to provide care in shelters. “Our senior volunteers have amassed a wealth of life experience. Drawing from their rich life experiences and guided by Master Cheng Yen’s teachings, they are able to provide meaningful emotional support to survivors of the earthquake,” remarked Huang Yu-qi (黃玉琪) from the Disaster Reduction and Prevention Section, Comprehensive Planning Office, the Tzu Chi Department of Charity Mission Development. Huang further explained that the volunteers who offered care in shelters had all undergone relevant training, and so they knew how to provide support without causing further harm. The professional psychologists were thus happy to work with them.

A helicopter (photo 1) collected relief supplies from Tzu Chi early on the morning of April 5; a volunteer (left in photo 2) offered care to a foreign tourist who had been stranded in Tianxiang, Taroko National Park, in the aftermath of the quake.

Huang Guang-hua

Emergency cash distribution

After the earthquake, Tzu Chi provided emergency cash to over 1,400 families in Hualien and northern Taiwan who were forced to evacuate due to damaged homes. Each household received 20,000 to 50,000 New Taiwan dollars (US$670 to 1,670), depending on family size and the severity of the damage to their homes.

The distribution of emergency cash was carefully planned. Volunteer Wang Xuan-fang (王宣方) from Taipei described the process: quake victims first received assistance with paperwork and received cash and gifts at a designated area staffed by volunteers and social workers. Then, they were directed to another area where additional volunteers and nuns from the Jing Si Abode provided comfort and listened to anyone willing to express their emotions.

Lai, one of the cash aid recipients, expressed her concerns. Her home suffered severe damage in the quake, and the shop where she worked closed due to slow business, leaving her temporarily unemployed yet obligated to continue making mortgage payments. She also worried about the difficulty of finding suitable rental housing, given the high demand from other quake victims seeking rentals. “For everyone, finding a place to settle down is the top priority; housing is the most urgent matter,” she said.

In contrast, another recipient, Hu, who secured housing early, appeared much calmer. Her apartment, located on the fifth floor of a building, sustained minimal damage, but the building itself was deemed unsafe for habitation. To ensure that her mother, who was battling cancer, and her school-going children could maintain a sense of normalcy, she and her husband promptly began searching for a new home. Fortunately, they found a compassionate landlord willing to provide a short-term lease for three months.

“I believed someone would come to help us,” Hu remarked, “and that we just needed to wait and take good care of ourselves first.” She works at a tutoring center, while her husband is a baker at a supermarket. Both continued working after the quake, with her husband even baking cookies to share with fellow victims. Hu expressed gratitude for the care provided by Tzu Chi and remained hopeful about their situation. “We’ll be back on our feet,” she affirmed. “We just need some time.”

The morning after the earthquake, volunteers conducted Tzu Chi’s first emergency cash distribution at Dongjing Temple, near the Uranus Building.

Liu Qiu-ling

Tzu Chi held five large-scale distributions of emergency cash after the temblor, with nuns from the Jing Si Abode and volunteers on-site listening to survivors’ accounts of their distress.

Qiu Jun-cheng

Young people contributing

Students and faculty from Tzu Chi University and the Tzu Chi University of Science and Technology, both in Hualien, along with members of the Tzu Chi Collegiate Association in eastern Taiwan, came forward to help survivors in the aftermath of the earthquake too. For example, over 30 students from Tzu Chi University, guided by their teachers, volunteered at Zhonghua Elementary School, Huaren Junior High School, and Hualien Baseball Stadium.

“There was a lot of work to do,” noted Yang Jing-yong (楊景湧), a graduate student in the Physical Therapy Department at Tzu Chi University, “from erecting tents, to setting up beds, to preparing items for survivors. We came together and combined our strength to ensure everything ran smoothly.” Hailing from Indonesia, Yang felt significant fear during the earthquake, as such events are rare in his hometown. However, he enthusiastically volunteered in the aftermath, dedicating the four-day weekend following the quake (due to Tomb-Sweeping Festival and Children’s Day) to relief efforts.

On a rainy day, Yang escorted a quake victim to a parking lot, holding an umbrella. “The home we worked so hard to buy was gone in an instant,” lamented the victim, evoking deep empathy in Yang. “Without your help, we’d be lost. We’re so grateful to you all.” Yang was profoundly touched. “In that moment, I truly felt my value as a human being,” he said with emotion.

Lin Shi-feng (林世峰), a Traditional Chinese Medicine student at Tzu Chi University, also volunteered after the quake. Reflecting on his experience, he said: “When the quake struck in the morning, I was shocked and disoriented, but by afternoon, I was volunteering, offering comfort to others while finding solace in the process.” He appreciated the valuable experience of transitioning from a victim to a volunteer, overcoming shock by contributing to others’ well-being.

Disaster reduction

To minimize the impact of disasters, it’s crucial to conduct regular drills and training during normal times. For a place like Taiwan, prone to natural disasters such as earthquakes and typhoons, preparedness is paramount. After the 2018 Hualien earthquake, the Tzu Chi Foundation and the Hualien County Government signed a memorandum of cooperation to strengthen disaster reduction and relief capabilities. Similar agreements were made with Hualien City and the townships of Xincheng, Xiulin, and Ji’an. As a result, many civil servants in Hualien County responsible for related tasks have attended evacuation and shelter training courses organized by Tzu Chi. Some have even participated in a training program co-organized by the county fire department and Tzu Chi and earned disaster management certificates recognized by the Ministry of the Interior.

Xiao Zi-wei (蕭子蔚), head of the Social and Labor Division of Hualien City Government, said: “We’ve even conducted training for members of community development associations. Having gained hands-on experience, everyone was better prepared this time.”

Another noteworthy observation from the recent earthquake is the commendable performance of the six schools in northern Hualien that were part of Tzu Chi’s Project Disaster Reduction. This project was launched to construct new buildings to replace aged or damaged structures in schools in Taiwan. The robustness of the buildings constructed by Tzu Chi at the six schools underscores the foundation’s commitment to disaster reduction efforts.

Lin Min-chao (林敏朝), a consultant for Tzu Chi’s Construction Department, cited the multifunctional gymnasium built by Tzu Chi for Huaren Junior High School as an example. “In general, the safety factor for such buildings is 1.2 times that of other school buildings, but those constructed by Tzu Chi are even higher, reaching 1.7 times.” To enhance natural lighting, the gymnasium’s glass window area was increased. Nevertheless, due to the use of a steel frame structure and lightweight roofing and walls, the seismic resistance remains strong.

“Our goal with the school buildings we construct isn’t just to withstand strong earthquakes but also to serve as evacuation shelters for residents,” Lin asserted.

Nuns from the Jing Si Abode are pictured in the photo visiting evacuees at a shelter on the evening of the earthquake.

Chen Rong-qin

Tzu Chi volunteers work with personnel from a non-governmental organization to clear folding beds from a shelter about to close.

Huang Yu-qi

Distributing emergency cash to affected households, visiting hospitals to comfort the injured, chanting the Buddha’s name for the deceased at funeral homes, and providing relief supplies… After completing the initial phase of emergency relief efforts following the earthquake, which included the tasks mentioned above, Tzu Chi began another phase to aid in rebuilding. In mid-April, discussions were held with the Hualien County Government and the TSMC Charity Foundation to plan reconstruction efforts. Tzu Chi took on the responsibility of repairing homes in the townships of Xincheng, Xiulin, and Ji’an, prioritizing repairs for the homes of vulnerable residents. Expert volunteers from across Taiwan started surveys and repair work on April 18. Tzu Chi volunteers worldwide are also assisting by raising funds to help quake victims rebuild their lives.

🔎 Zoom in picture)

By Yeh Tzu-hao
Abridged and translated by Wu Hsiao-ting

As Taiwan grappled with the aftermath of the April 3 earthquake, Tzu Chi brought solace and aid to those reeling from the disaster’s impact.

The Uranus Building in Hualien City, Hualien County, partially collapsed during an earthquake that hit Taiwan on April 3, prompting the deployment of search and rescue workers.

Luo Ming-dao

On the morning of April 3, Taiwan was rocked by a formidable magnitude 7.2 earthquake. Eastern Hualien County, located near the epicenter, bore the brunt of the impact. Some buildings partially collapsed or were rendered uninhabitable. Taroko National Park, a popular tourist destination, suffered devastation from landslides and rockfalls. In response, the authorities acted swiftly, mobilizing search and rescue teams to aid affected areas.

In the immediate aftermath, the Tzu Chi Foundation set up operations at the Hualien County Government Disaster Response Center, the only civilian organization to do so. Deploying manpower and resources, Tzu Chi worked with the authorities and other NGOs, providing comprehensive support to affected residents and assisting in frontline rescue efforts.

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Aiding in airlift operations

Household items in numerous buildings across northern Hualien were toppled or strewn about during the intense shaking of the earthquake. Residents also fell as they sought refuge. Over 1,100 injuries were recorded across Taiwan. Among the injured was Mayor Wei Jia-yan (魏嘉彥) of Hualien City, the county seat. “A wardrobe fell and hit my foot,” recounted the mayor, “luckily no bones were broken.” Using a crutch due to his injured left foot, he vividly showed the quake’s impact as he oversaw relief operations in the aftermath.

“Some quake victims required surgery or hospitalization,” said Tzu Chi volunteer Li Si-bei (李思蓓), who works at Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital. “I enlisted fellow volunteers to provide support for them, bringing the love of Master Cheng Yen and volunteers from around the world.” Li herself was affected by the temblor, but after instructing her two daughters to tidy up the fallen items at home, she quickly made her way to the hospital to assist injured patients.

Li vividly remembered the arrival of the first eight patients at the hospital, among them a woman named Chen. Ms. Chen had been preparing to deliver vegetables she had grown herself to a friend when the earthquake struck. She suffered a fractured hip bone when she was caught under a fallen cabinet at her front door. “Unable to wait for an ambulance,” Li said, “Ms. Chen hailed a taxi to the hospital. She was in such pain when she arrived that she couldn’t even put weight on her feet; an emergency room physician had to carry her in.”

Landslides in Taroko National Park blocked roads and left hundreds of people stranded in mountainous regions. With vehicles unable to navigate through the terrain, helicopters were used for transporting people and supplies. The Hualien County Police Department reached out to the Ministry of the Interior’s National Airborne Service Corps for assistance and also sought support from Tzu Chi to provide relief supplies.

“We have never been involved in helicopter airlifts before,” remarked Tzu Chi volunteer Xu Zhi-xian (許志賢), a retired police officer. “This is the first time we’ve encountered such a situation.” As a cadre member of the Hualien chapter of the Tzu Chi Association of Police, Firefighters, and Their Families, Xu maintains regular communication with local law enforcement and firefighters. He helped organize the response after Tzu Chi was requested to provide relief supplies. At 6 a.m. on April 5, equipped with essential supplies, a team of Tzu Chi representatives, led by Dharma Master De Mai (德勱) from the Jing Si Abode and accompanied by the police, set off in three police cars and one truck, heading towards the Taroko helicopter landing pad.

“The first helicopter mission transported nine stranded individuals from Tianxiang [in Taroko National Park],” said Xu, who was part of the Tzu Chi team. “Among them were tourists from Singapore and Hong Kong. They were deeply touched to see Master De Mai and our volunteers offering care on-site. Some were moved to tears.” Xu noted that over 600 people were trapped in the Taroko area after the earthquake, including tourists, hotel staff, and personnel from the Tianxiang Police Station and the Seventh Special Police Corps, all in need of food, water, and other supplies. The collaboration between Tzu Chi, the Hualien County Police Department, and the Airborne Service Corps facilitated two rounds of airlifts, providing crucial aid until roads were cleared.

On the afternoon of April 3, Dharma Master Cheng Yen arrived at the site of the collapsed Uranus Building, where she expressed care for the on-site volunteers and rescue workers.

Courtesy of Tzu Chi Hualien headquarters

Partnerships in action

According to data from the Hualien County Government, the earthquake caused 77 buildings in the county to collapse or become hazardous, affecting over 1,700 households. In response, the county government and township offices established temporary shelters at eight locations, including Huaren Junior High School and Zhonghua Elementary School. Tzu Chi also contributed to the relief efforts.

Lu Hsueh-cheng (呂學正), director of the Comprehensive Planning Office at Tzu Chi’s Department of Charity Mission Development, remarked, “Compared to the February 6 earthquake six years ago, the government’s response this time was so swift it was beyond my imagination. When I arrived at Huaren Junior High School around ten o’clock that morning, personnel from the Ji’an Township Office had already prepared the shelter equipment. The staff was also in place.” He noted that Tzu Chi had strengthened its collaboration with the public sector in this regard over the past two years. For example, they partnered with the Ji’an Township Office last year for disaster response and shelter exercises. Various signage prepared during those exercises proved useful during this crisis too.

Huaren Junior High School played a crucial role in Ji’an Township’s response to the earthquake. Red Cross-provided tents were erected across the playground, while the multifunctional gymnasium, constructed by Tzu Chi for the school seven years ago, offered shelter space equipped with privacy cubicles, folding beds, and blankets—all provided by Tzu Chi—ensuring the comfort and privacy of displaced residents.

To alleviate post-disaster inconveniences, government agencies and civil organizations dispatched personnel to aid displaced quake victims. At the shelter set up in Zhonghua Elementary School, for example, staff from the National Health Insurance Administration facilitated the reissuance of national health insurance cards for those who fled without them. A telecommunications company installed phones for evacuees to make free local calls, real estate agents coordinated rental matching services, and the military erected field shower tents in a corner of the playground. “Twelve people at most are allowed to shower at one time, with two daily time slots available—one for men and the other for women,” said the responsible officer.

With the generous support of people from all walks of life, the shelters established after the earthquake were well-stocked with essentials. However, despite this touching assistance and regardless of how well-equipped a shelter may be, nothing could replace the comfort of one’s own home. “There was an elderly man who said he had lost everything and felt utterly despondent,” Mayor Wei Jia-yan said. “Our social workers and other colleagues made continuous efforts to uplift his spirits.” Speaking of this, the mayor extended special thanks to Professor Gu from Dong Hwa University in Hualien for organizing transportation to take affected residents, including the elderly man, to the university campus in the hope that the beautiful surroundings would provide some comfort.

Empathizing with the plight of quake victims, Tzu Chi enlisted seasoned senior volunteers to work alongside professional social workers and contracted psychologists from health agencies to provide care in shelters. “Our senior volunteers have amassed a wealth of life experience. Drawing from their rich life experiences and guided by Master Cheng Yen’s teachings, they are able to provide meaningful emotional support to survivors of the earthquake,” remarked Huang Yu-qi (黃玉琪) from the Disaster Reduction and Prevention Section, Comprehensive Planning Office, the Tzu Chi Department of Charity Mission Development. Huang further explained that the volunteers who offered care in shelters had all undergone relevant training, and so they knew how to provide support without causing further harm. The professional psychologists were thus happy to work with them.

A helicopter (photo 1) collected relief supplies from Tzu Chi early on the morning of April 5; a volunteer (left in photo 2) offered care to a foreign tourist who had been stranded in Tianxiang, Taroko National Park, in the aftermath of the quake.

Huang Guang-hua

Emergency cash distribution

After the earthquake, Tzu Chi provided emergency cash to over 1,400 families in Hualien and northern Taiwan who were forced to evacuate due to damaged homes. Each household received 20,000 to 50,000 New Taiwan dollars (US$670 to 1,670), depending on family size and the severity of the damage to their homes.

The distribution of emergency cash was carefully planned. Volunteer Wang Xuan-fang (王宣方) from Taipei described the process: quake victims first received assistance with paperwork and received cash and gifts at a designated area staffed by volunteers and social workers. Then, they were directed to another area where additional volunteers and nuns from the Jing Si Abode provided comfort and listened to anyone willing to express their emotions.

Lai, one of the cash aid recipients, expressed her concerns. Her home suffered severe damage in the quake, and the shop where she worked closed due to slow business, leaving her temporarily unemployed yet obligated to continue making mortgage payments. She also worried about the difficulty of finding suitable rental housing, given the high demand from other quake victims seeking rentals. “For everyone, finding a place to settle down is the top priority; housing is the most urgent matter,” she said.

In contrast, another recipient, Hu, who secured housing early, appeared much calmer. Her apartment, located on the fifth floor of a building, sustained minimal damage, but the building itself was deemed unsafe for habitation. To ensure that her mother, who was battling cancer, and her school-going children could maintain a sense of normalcy, she and her husband promptly began searching for a new home. Fortunately, they found a compassionate landlord willing to provide a short-term lease for three months.

“I believed someone would come to help us,” Hu remarked, “and that we just needed to wait and take good care of ourselves first.” She works at a tutoring center, while her husband is a baker at a supermarket. Both continued working after the quake, with her husband even baking cookies to share with fellow victims. Hu expressed gratitude for the care provided by Tzu Chi and remained hopeful about their situation. “We’ll be back on our feet,” she affirmed. “We just need some time.”

The morning after the earthquake, volunteers conducted Tzu Chi’s first emergency cash distribution at Dongjing Temple, near the Uranus Building.

Liu Qiu-ling

Tzu Chi held five large-scale distributions of emergency cash after the temblor, with nuns from the Jing Si Abode and volunteers on-site listening to survivors’ accounts of their distress.

Qiu Jun-cheng

Young people contributing

Students and faculty from Tzu Chi University and the Tzu Chi University of Science and Technology, both in Hualien, along with members of the Tzu Chi Collegiate Association in eastern Taiwan, came forward to help survivors in the aftermath of the earthquake too. For example, over 30 students from Tzu Chi University, guided by their teachers, volunteered at Zhonghua Elementary School, Huaren Junior High School, and Hualien Baseball Stadium.

“There was a lot of work to do,” noted Yang Jing-yong (楊景湧), a graduate student in the Physical Therapy Department at Tzu Chi University, “from erecting tents, to setting up beds, to preparing items for survivors. We came together and combined our strength to ensure everything ran smoothly.” Hailing from Indonesia, Yang felt significant fear during the earthquake, as such events are rare in his hometown. However, he enthusiastically volunteered in the aftermath, dedicating the four-day weekend following the quake (due to Tomb-Sweeping Festival and Children’s Day) to relief efforts.

On a rainy day, Yang escorted a quake victim to a parking lot, holding an umbrella. “The home we worked so hard to buy was gone in an instant,” lamented the victim, evoking deep empathy in Yang. “Without your help, we’d be lost. We’re so grateful to you all.” Yang was profoundly touched. “In that moment, I truly felt my value as a human being,” he said with emotion.

Lin Shi-feng (林世峰), a Traditional Chinese Medicine student at Tzu Chi University, also volunteered after the quake. Reflecting on his experience, he said: “When the quake struck in the morning, I was shocked and disoriented, but by afternoon, I was volunteering, offering comfort to others while finding solace in the process.” He appreciated the valuable experience of transitioning from a victim to a volunteer, overcoming shock by contributing to others’ well-being.

Disaster reduction

To minimize the impact of disasters, it’s crucial to conduct regular drills and training during normal times. For a place like Taiwan, prone to natural disasters such as earthquakes and typhoons, preparedness is paramount. After the 2018 Hualien earthquake, the Tzu Chi Foundation and the Hualien County Government signed a memorandum of cooperation to strengthen disaster reduction and relief capabilities. Similar agreements were made with Hualien City and the townships of Xincheng, Xiulin, and Ji’an. As a result, many civil servants in Hualien County responsible for related tasks have attended evacuation and shelter training courses organized by Tzu Chi. Some have even participated in a training program co-organized by the county fire department and Tzu Chi and earned disaster management certificates recognized by the Ministry of the Interior.

Xiao Zi-wei (蕭子蔚), head of the Social and Labor Division of Hualien City Government, said: “We’ve even conducted training for members of community development associations. Having gained hands-on experience, everyone was better prepared this time.”

Another noteworthy observation from the recent earthquake is the commendable performance of the six schools in northern Hualien that were part of Tzu Chi’s Project Disaster Reduction. This project was launched to construct new buildings to replace aged or damaged structures in schools in Taiwan. The robustness of the buildings constructed by Tzu Chi at the six schools underscores the foundation’s commitment to disaster reduction efforts.

Lin Min-chao (林敏朝), a consultant for Tzu Chi’s Construction Department, cited the multifunctional gymnasium built by Tzu Chi for Huaren Junior High School as an example. “In general, the safety factor for such buildings is 1.2 times that of other school buildings, but those constructed by Tzu Chi are even higher, reaching 1.7 times.” To enhance natural lighting, the gymnasium’s glass window area was increased. Nevertheless, due to the use of a steel frame structure and lightweight roofing and walls, the seismic resistance remains strong.

“Our goal with the school buildings we construct isn’t just to withstand strong earthquakes but also to serve as evacuation shelters for residents,” Lin asserted.

Nuns from the Jing Si Abode are pictured in the photo visiting evacuees at a shelter on the evening of the earthquake.

Chen Rong-qin

Tzu Chi volunteers work with personnel from a non-governmental organization to clear folding beds from a shelter about to close.

Huang Yu-qi

Distributing emergency cash to affected households, visiting hospitals to comfort the injured, chanting the Buddha’s name for the deceased at funeral homes, and providing relief supplies… After completing the initial phase of emergency relief efforts following the earthquake, which included the tasks mentioned above, Tzu Chi began another phase to aid in rebuilding. In mid-April, discussions were held with the Hualien County Government and the TSMC Charity Foundation to plan reconstruction efforts. Tzu Chi took on the responsibility of repairing homes in the townships of Xincheng, Xiulin, and Ji’an, prioritizing repairs for the homes of vulnerable residents. Expert volunteers from across Taiwan started surveys and repair work on April 18. Tzu Chi volunteers worldwide are also assisting by raising funds to help quake victims rebuild their lives.

🔎 Zoom in picture)

關鍵字

The Power of Apology and Forgiveness

By Yi Yi
Translated by Wu Hsiao-ting
Photo by Yan Lin-zhao

Embracing the courage to apologize or forgive is not easy, but it is rewarding, leading to peace within yourself and others.

I was bullied at work many years ago. Back then, the term “bully” didn’t receive much notice in Taiwan, and I didn’t know how to protect myself. I tried to rationalize my mistreatment, comforting myself by thinking that perhaps I owed the colleague something from a past life. I believed that everything would be fine if I could quickly repay my karmic debt by enduring her actions with fortitude. My body, however, was not so willing to submit to that plan.

The prospect of going to work every morning was agonizing for me. I felt a suffocating weight on my chest whenever I reached the entrance to my company. One day, I happened to touch my scalp and felt a bald spot the size of a ten-dollar coin. I was shocked. I was diagnosed with alopecia areata, also known as spot baldness. This was the first time I had heard of this condition, and it was likely triggered by psychological stress.

Coincidentally, I discovered that I was pregnant. I used this as an opportunity to resign, citing the need to take better care of myself during my pregnancy. I thought that leaving that detrimental work environment would solve everything, but I didn’t realize that the emotional wounds I was carrying would be remembered subconsciously.

In the first five years after resigning, I often dreamed that I was arguing with that colleague, venting in my dreams the words I had suppressed in real life. I’d wake up with tears soaking my pillow. I told myself that she was the most terrifying nightmare in my life and that I never wanted to see her again.

For some reason, her attitude toward me changed significantly after I resigned. She would send me birthday wishes every year and greetings on holidays. Perhaps she began to empathize with me because she had to take over my work and finally understood what I had to face on my job. Through a former colleague, I heard that she had taken courses in personal growth and had changed a lot.

Regardless of whether she had changed or not, I still wasn’t ready to face her. Though former colleagues invited me to gatherings many times, I would politely decline if she was going to be there. One day a colleague said to me, “We’re all mothers now; our hearts have softened. We need to find a way to move past the past.” After that comment, I mustered the courage to agree to attend a gathering.

Though five years had elapsed, I was very nervous and uneasy when I met her at the gathering. My smile was polite but trembling slightly. However, the awkwardness between us gradually dissipated as we laughed and shared our experiences as mothers.

At the end of the occasion, she hugged me goodbye. At that moment, it felt like an electric current ran through my body. Not only had I seen someone I swore I would never see again, but I had even embraced her!

Shortly after returning home, I received a text message from her: “I was so happy to see you today! I’m sorry for being insensible when I was young and hurting the pure and kind you.”

I began to cry when I read her message, unable to hold back. My tears were for the feeling of finally being understood. She had dug a big hole in my heart five years back, and now she was using sincerity, spoonful by spoonful, to fill it. That hug, that text message, helped fill the hole and heal the wounds. The tears were also for deep gratitude.

How many people hurt others without realizing it? How many people lick their wounds alone? I am so fortunate that the person who hurt me was self-aware and had the courage to face what she had done in the past and to sincerely apologize.

The knot in my heart that had always been there disappeared in an instant, replaced by relaxation and joy. In that moment, I knew that we had resolved our past animosity and turned it into good karma!

Recently, I heard Dharma Master Cheng Yen share these words with overseas volunteers: “If there was discord between you and others in the past, reach out to them to restore good affinities. You can call those you had friction with, explain any misunderstandings, and offer apologies. By resolving past grievances, your heart will be at ease, and you will also release yourself. When what needs to be repaid is repaid, all interpersonal entanglements will unravel.”

In life, we sometimes hurt others and sometimes are hurt by others. What we must avoid most of all is bad relationships with others. Think about the day when you are saying farewell to the world. Do you want others to remember you with warmth or with lingering hatred? This reminds me of these wise words: “You must first form good affinities with others before you can attain buddhahood.”

Both apologizing and forgiving require great courage. May we have the resolve to let go of our hatred or animosity, and allow our hearts to be filled only with love.

By Yi Yi
Translated by Wu Hsiao-ting
Photo by Yan Lin-zhao

Embracing the courage to apologize or forgive is not easy, but it is rewarding, leading to peace within yourself and others.

I was bullied at work many years ago. Back then, the term “bully” didn’t receive much notice in Taiwan, and I didn’t know how to protect myself. I tried to rationalize my mistreatment, comforting myself by thinking that perhaps I owed the colleague something from a past life. I believed that everything would be fine if I could quickly repay my karmic debt by enduring her actions with fortitude. My body, however, was not so willing to submit to that plan.

The prospect of going to work every morning was agonizing for me. I felt a suffocating weight on my chest whenever I reached the entrance to my company. One day, I happened to touch my scalp and felt a bald spot the size of a ten-dollar coin. I was shocked. I was diagnosed with alopecia areata, also known as spot baldness. This was the first time I had heard of this condition, and it was likely triggered by psychological stress.

Coincidentally, I discovered that I was pregnant. I used this as an opportunity to resign, citing the need to take better care of myself during my pregnancy. I thought that leaving that detrimental work environment would solve everything, but I didn’t realize that the emotional wounds I was carrying would be remembered subconsciously.

In the first five years after resigning, I often dreamed that I was arguing with that colleague, venting in my dreams the words I had suppressed in real life. I’d wake up with tears soaking my pillow. I told myself that she was the most terrifying nightmare in my life and that I never wanted to see her again.

For some reason, her attitude toward me changed significantly after I resigned. She would send me birthday wishes every year and greetings on holidays. Perhaps she began to empathize with me because she had to take over my work and finally understood what I had to face on my job. Through a former colleague, I heard that she had taken courses in personal growth and had changed a lot.

Regardless of whether she had changed or not, I still wasn’t ready to face her. Though former colleagues invited me to gatherings many times, I would politely decline if she was going to be there. One day a colleague said to me, “We’re all mothers now; our hearts have softened. We need to find a way to move past the past.” After that comment, I mustered the courage to agree to attend a gathering.

Though five years had elapsed, I was very nervous and uneasy when I met her at the gathering. My smile was polite but trembling slightly. However, the awkwardness between us gradually dissipated as we laughed and shared our experiences as mothers.

At the end of the occasion, she hugged me goodbye. At that moment, it felt like an electric current ran through my body. Not only had I seen someone I swore I would never see again, but I had even embraced her!

Shortly after returning home, I received a text message from her: “I was so happy to see you today! I’m sorry for being insensible when I was young and hurting the pure and kind you.”

I began to cry when I read her message, unable to hold back. My tears were for the feeling of finally being understood. She had dug a big hole in my heart five years back, and now she was using sincerity, spoonful by spoonful, to fill it. That hug, that text message, helped fill the hole and heal the wounds. The tears were also for deep gratitude.

How many people hurt others without realizing it? How many people lick their wounds alone? I am so fortunate that the person who hurt me was self-aware and had the courage to face what she had done in the past and to sincerely apologize.

The knot in my heart that had always been there disappeared in an instant, replaced by relaxation and joy. In that moment, I knew that we had resolved our past animosity and turned it into good karma!

Recently, I heard Dharma Master Cheng Yen share these words with overseas volunteers: “If there was discord between you and others in the past, reach out to them to restore good affinities. You can call those you had friction with, explain any misunderstandings, and offer apologies. By resolving past grievances, your heart will be at ease, and you will also release yourself. When what needs to be repaid is repaid, all interpersonal entanglements will unravel.”

In life, we sometimes hurt others and sometimes are hurt by others. What we must avoid most of all is bad relationships with others. Think about the day when you are saying farewell to the world. Do you want others to remember you with warmth or with lingering hatred? This reminds me of these wise words: “You must first form good affinities with others before you can attain buddhahood.”

Both apologizing and forgiving require great courage. May we have the resolve to let go of our hatred or animosity, and allow our hearts to be filled only with love.

關鍵字

ZIMBABWE|Clean Water Is Hard to Come By

By Wu Xiu-ling and Biggie Samson
Translated by Wu Hsiao-ting
Photos courtesy of Tino Chu

Children scooping water directly from mud puddles and ponds to drink is a common sight in Zimbabwe, a landlocked country in southern Africa. However, the practice poses health risks. For instance, contaminated drinking water has been identified as the primary route of transmission behind a cholera outbreak that began in the country last year and has resulted in tens of thousands of reported cases. “In cholera hotspots, posters reminding people to wash their hands are everywhere,” said Tino Chu (朱金財), head of Tzu Chi Zimbabwe. “But how can people in communities suffering from severe water shortages wash their hands?” His comment reflects frustration with this harsh reality.

To help contain the outbreak, local Tzu Chi volunteers have worked on two fronts: distributing water purification tablets and organizing three teams to repair wells in cholera hotspots. Expert volunteers extract metal pipes from wells to determine whether they are damaged, replace faulty parts, and add water purification agents to ensure water safety. Between the onset of the outbreak last year and the end of February this year, the teams repaired over 620 wells, each capable of serving approximately 600 households. Over the past decade, Tzu Chi has also drilled a total of 236 new wells in the country to provide water for local communities facing water scarcity.

By Wu Xiu-ling and Biggie Samson
Translated by Wu Hsiao-ting
Photos courtesy of Tino Chu

Children scooping water directly from mud puddles and ponds to drink is a common sight in Zimbabwe, a landlocked country in southern Africa. However, the practice poses health risks. For instance, contaminated drinking water has been identified as the primary route of transmission behind a cholera outbreak that began in the country last year and has resulted in tens of thousands of reported cases. “In cholera hotspots, posters reminding people to wash their hands are everywhere,” said Tino Chu (朱金財), head of Tzu Chi Zimbabwe. “But how can people in communities suffering from severe water shortages wash their hands?” His comment reflects frustration with this harsh reality.

To help contain the outbreak, local Tzu Chi volunteers have worked on two fronts: distributing water purification tablets and organizing three teams to repair wells in cholera hotspots. Expert volunteers extract metal pipes from wells to determine whether they are damaged, replace faulty parts, and add water purification agents to ensure water safety. Between the onset of the outbreak last year and the end of February this year, the teams repaired over 620 wells, each capable of serving approximately 600 households. Over the past decade, Tzu Chi has also drilled a total of 236 new wells in the country to provide water for local communities facing water scarcity.

關鍵字