Nepal
On November 5, Tzu Chi held a groundbreaking ceremony for the expansion of Siddhartha School in Lumbini. The project will add 13 classrooms to the original Siddhartha Primary School, enabling it to offer education up to Grade 10 and enhancing local educational resources.
India
At Bodh Gaya, the site of the Buddha’s enlightenment, Tzu Chi built modern cement houses for impoverished residents. The first batch of 36 houses, the Silaunja Great Love Village, was officially handed over during a ceremony on October 27.
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Taiwan
The Tzu Chi New Shoots Scholarship encourages students from families receiving long-term care from the foundation to apply themselves in school. Between October 19 and November 10, 31 award ceremonies were held and approximately 9,000 students received the scholarship. Since the program began 17 years ago, Tzu Chi has awarded over 100,000 New Shoots Scholarships across Taiwan.
In November, Tzu Chi was awarded Gold at the ESG & Sustainability Awards for “Best ESG Campaign or Case Study to Improve Education or Access to Education,” achieved through its partnership with PaGamO, an online educational platform that promotes learning through gaming. Additionally, the foundation earned Silver for “Best ESG Campaign or Case Study to Improve and Encourage Responsible Consumption and Production,” thanks to its eco-friendly vegan food delivery platform. Organized by UK-based PRMoment, the ESG & Sustainability Awards celebrate exemplary ESG initiatives aligned with the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals.
Indonesia
In October, heavy rains triggered flooding in Aceh Tamiang Regency, Aceh Province. On October 20, volunteers distributed rice to 300 affected households in the hard-hit areas of Karang Baru and Seruway.
The Philippines
Six back-to-back typhoons struck Cagayan Province in northern Luzon Island in November, affecting over 50,000 households. Volunteers set off from Manila on November 19 and traveled 500 kilometers (310 miles) to Cagayan to offer assistance. In the following four days, they assessed damage and distributed relief supplies, including rice and essential items, to 4,450 households. They also provided building material vouchers to 93 families whose homes had been completely destroyed.
Cambodia
Tzu Chi held a large-scale free clinic in Battambang Province from November 1 to 3, during which 454 medical professionals and support volunteers from Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia, and Cambodia provided care for 3,480 patient visits. The clinic addressed essential healthcare needs, offering services in internal medicine, surgery, dentistry, ophthalmology, and traditional Chinese medicine.
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Malaysia
Severe flooding caused by torrential rain struck Malaysia in late November, forcing the evacuation of over 150,000 people. It was the worst flood in nearly a decade. The hardest-hit areas included the states of Kelantan, Terengganu, and Kedah. Tzu Chi volunteers visited government shelters and temples housing evacuees, providing emergency supplies for approximately 3,500 households. Supplies included blankets, folding beds, food, and other necessities. Volunteers also offered free medical services. The second phase of relief distribution is set to begin in January 2025.
The United States
Hurricane Helene made landfall in Florida in September, sweeping across six southeastern states. In October, Hurricane Milton, a powerful Category 5 storm, caused severe damage in North Carolina and Florida. In November, Tzu Chi distributed cash cards and blankets in Tampa and Fort Pierce, Florida, benefiting 425 people.
The Tzu Chi Foundation, based in Taiwan, established its first overseas branch, Tzu Chi USA, in 1989. In December 2024, Tzu Chi USA marked its 35th anniversary. To honor Tzu Chi’s contributions to American society, Paul Chang (張克塵), Lead for Region 9 Southwest for the White House Initiative on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders, visited Tzu Chi USA’s national headquarters in San Dimas, California, on December 21. He presented a congratulatory letter on behalf of U.S. President Joe Biden, which was received by Debra Boudreaux (曾慈慧), CEO of Tzu Chi USA.
Brazil
In April and May 2024, severe flooding struck Rio Grande do Sul. Tzu Chi volunteers conducted multiple damage assessments and, with government assistance, compiled a list of affected households. In collaboration with community representatives, Tzu Chi distributed aid to more than 2,000 households in November.
Azerbaijan
Representatives from the Tzu Chi Foundation attended the 29th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29), held in Baku, Azerbaijan, from November 11 to 22. They participated in side events and interacted with a range of organizations.
Zimbabwe
Amidst severe food shortages caused by a devastating drought, the Zimbabwean government announced plans to cull elephants for meat distribution. Upholding its commitment to safeguarding all living things, Tzu Chi began distributing 600 metric tons of cornmeal in late November. The two-phase distribution is expected to reach seven provinces and benefit approximately 30,000 households.
