Mercy Hospital for Women (MHW) is a major Australian public hospital located in the state of Victoria. It is a specialist hospital dedicated to the treatment of women's health, childbirth, and infant health, as well as being an important teaching and research hospital in these fields. MHW provides gynecology, gynecological oncology, neonatology, and obstetric services.

I was recently approached by a member of MHW's Multicultural Services team to write an article about the Tzu Chi volunteer group at MHW. Having confessed that my knowledge of the Tzu Chi group was quite limited, I was invited to join the volunteers to observe their work in action and had an opportunity to speak to these remarkable women on a one-to-one basis. What transpired was a truly memorable morning.

As I walk down what seems like an endless corridor this morning, the group suddenly comes into vision and I find myself face-to-face with a sea of ten beautiful smiling faces. Despite my nervousness, what strikes me most is the pure energy in the room as these women work at lightening speed, performing the most fiddly and painstaking tasks involving administrative duties such as preparation of binders and folders, with nimble fingers, amid a murmur of quiet conversation.

As the contagious energy envelops me, I find myself offering to roll up my sleeves and join them in completing their administrative functions--an offer met with polite shakes of heads and gentle thanks. I am welcomed as a visitor to their busy table and soon become engrossed in conversation with them.

I learn that the Tzu Chi Foundation has been working in collaboration with MHW for the past seven years. Most of these women are proud to share that they have been at MHW since the inception of the foundation's work at the hospital. The enormous pride they feel in what they do is evident in their enthusiasm. As we continue to chat, I learn that the group has also made large donations of money to the hospital, which has enabled MHW to purchase valuable equipment.

Melody, who joins the group soon after I arrive, sums up the aim of their hard work beautifully. "What we do is try and help the poor and disadvantaged in our society. So many people who are sick can become poor because they no longer have a steady income, and the little money they earn is spent on health expenses. Also, so many poor people cannot access good health care and consequently end up sick."

One of the mottoes of Dharma Master Cheng Yen, the founder of the Tzu Chi Foundation, is that "Even fifty cents can save the world." Indeed, as they work towards humanizing Buddhism and the teachings of their foundation, each of these women and their daily actions--no matter how great or small--contribute towards making the world a better place.

"To us, life is all about working together and helping others," Lisa shares with a smile. "We work hard, but we also enjoy our time here. We share our problems with one another, we chat about life in Australia, we swap recipes, we talk about our kids." A ripple of laughter breaks out as one of the volunteers, who looks suspiciously young, is revealed to be a child indeed, volunteering her time over school holidays. When I ask them what their favorite part of volunteering at MHW is, they all chorus, "Working together."

The commitment to meet the foundation's mission is evident. Modestly, Christine tells me the Tzu Chi Foundation operates all around the world. "In Taiwan, Tzu Chi operates two large general hospitals and is on its way to completing a third and fourth hospital."

As the morning passes by, it is soon time for morning tea and I am reluctant to return to the "real world" and the meetings and deadlines that await me. Without much persuasion, I am convinced to stay back and join the ladies for morning tea. I am overcome by the warmth and genuine kindness that these women have shown me.

As I walk back to my office with a re-energized feeling of hope and serenity, I pass by MHW’s chief executive officer and director of nursing. They stop to ask where I have been. I reply, "I've just spent the morning with the most inspirational group of people..." to which they both immediately exclaim, "Oh, the Tzu Chi group! Aren't they just a remarkable, wonderful group?"

"Yes, remarkable indeed."