"We don't have any feet... The road to school is so long, and it's so inconvenient having to depend on other people's help. We only wish we had feet so we can move around freely and independently."

We noticed that they had no feet. Their lives had become more and more restricted, and their families were also increasingly likely to be affected by this agony. This was why the Tzu Chi Great Love Rehabilitation Center was built. We hoped that prostheses would not only enable them to stand up, but also reshape the dignity of their lives.

Thirty-year-old Julie was once a pedicab driver in Zamboanga, the Philippines. Then, two years ago, his life changed when he lost his leg in a serious car accident. He could no longer drive his pedicab and thus had no means to make a living. Although he was reluctant to accept support from his relatives, he found that he had no other choice. Depression and feelings of inferiority became a part of his everyday existence. He became more and more withdrawn and eventually chose to hide inside his home all day.

One year ago, Julie made a decision that would steer his life in a more positive direction: he decided to walk to a Tzu Chi "prosthesis camp." There the helpers gave him a suitable prosthesis and helped attach his new limb. Julie practiced using it for an hour and then returned home eager to jump onto his pedicab and go back to work. Now that he could begin making money again, he gained a huge sense of fulfillment. One year later, his wife gave birth to their first child.

On July 17, 2004, Julie attended the opening ceremony of the Tzu Chi Great Love Rehabilitation Center. When asked why he had become so much thinner, he replied, "I work 16 hours a day, but I only make 130 pesos (US$2), which isn't even enough to buy a can of baby milk powder." When asked if he needed further help, Julie declined: "No, Tzu Chi has allowed me to stand up again, so I'm very satisfied. I don't need anything else." Although Julie leads a hard life, he still donates a few coins whenever he attends Tzu Chi activities.

Dr. Yang Wei-shun, who is in charge of the Tzu Chi Zamboanga liaison office, recalled that Julie had a pair of very agile hands. He remembered that during the three months Julie waited for his prosthesis to arrive, he made an artificial foot with movable joints from a piece of wood and some aluminum foil. As a result, Yang invited him to act as an assistant prosthesis technician at the rehabilitation center and offered him 250 pesos (US$4.49) a day.

"This job is much safer and more stable, and the income is twice as much, so it has really improved Julie's life," said Yang. "This is also an encouraging reminder to patients who come to us--it's important that they realize that physically challenged people are just as useful as you and I."

Inspiration from Tzu Chi dramas

Over 6,000 people require prostheses in Zamboanga. Most of them lost legs because of terrorist attacks, car accidents, or severe diabetes. Others were born handicapped. Their families are too poor to buy them the prostheses that they so desperately need.

Tzu Chi volunteers discovered these cases in the course of their work for the Tzu Chi medical mission. They also learned that city hospitals had limited funding and only provided free medical assistance to patients whose lives were in immediate danger. The hospitals simply could not afford to help more handicapped people.

Once while watching a Tzu Chi television drama entitled "How Are You Doing?," Yang saw how the hero became depressed because his leg had been amputated due to an illness. At that time, Yang associated the story with people he had seen in real life. If a disabled child didn't go to school because he was afraid that other children would laugh at him, then the child't entire life would be unfavorably affected. In the same way, if a breadwinner couldn't go to work because of his handicap, then the stability of the whole family would also be negatively affected.

Therefore on February 4, 2003, the Tzu Chi Zamboanga liaison office, in conjunction with the Philippine Mahaveer Foundation, the Philippine Orthopedic Center, and the Zamboanga City Medical Center, organized the Tzu Chi Jaipur Foot Camp in order to distribute prostheses to needy handicapped patients and offer them an opportunity for rehabilitation.

Tzu Chi was responsible for finding and locating people who required prostheses, raising adequate funds, contacting concerned departments, and hiring medical professionals. The Philippine Orthopedic Center and the Zamboanga City Medical Center were responsible for both manufacturing the prostheses and helping with the rehabilitation process. The Philippine Mahaveer Foundation provided the required materials and machines.

On the first day of the camp, over 100 people showed up. Human bodies inevitably change in shape over time, as children grow taller and adults gain or lose weight. Therefore the most appropriate time for putting on a prosthesis is during the three-month period after a plaster model has been completed. Any problems encountered during this time can be solved, but beyond that period problems can become much more difficult. Dr. Laly Berredo, who molded plaster models for some 30 patients, said that due to limited manpower and materials, he would need another six months before he could actually produce those 30 artificial feet. Furthermore, because he had obligations to work elsewhere for other people who also needed prostheses, he couldn't mold any more models in Zamboanga.

However, the disappointment so visible on the patients' faces softened the doctors' hearts. They promised that they would come back again. And indeed they did return. So far they have made four separate visits to help 78 handicapped people get new prostheses.

Yang mentioned that this had never happened before, because there are too many people in the Philippines who require prostheses. The Mahaveer Foundation and the Philippine Orthopedic Center have fully booked schedules, which means workers can only go to one place at a time.

Seeking a turning point

Those who came to the Tzu Chi Foot Camp asked for only one thing: they wanted a chance to walk on their feet and return to work or school. Yang recalls the story of a waiter who, on his way home late at night, was hit by a car. His leg was injured so seriously that the doctor advised him to have it amputated. However, the surgery would be very costly, and as the accident was a hit-and-run case, the waiter could receive no compensation. Added to this, the waiter would not be able to find a job after the amputation, and he had a family to raise.

One year after the accident, the waiter came to the Tzu Chi Foot Camp. There a doctor amputated his wounded leg and fitted him with a prosthesis. He returned to work in the same restaurant as before, and his family's life returned to normal again.

Yang tells another story, this time concerning a man called Mohammed who came to the second foot camp. "After a plaster model was made, Mohammed had to wait three months before he could receive his prosthesis. During this time, Tzu Chi lent him a walking cane. When he went home, he found a small piece of wood and created a "foot" out of it. He marked on the toes, and he even painted hair on it! It just went to show how much he longed for a foot. When we helped him put on his prosthesis, he smiled with so much satisfaction."

Mohammad was 36 years old and lived on a small island about one hour away by boat from Zamboanga. Public security wasn't very good there, because the island was a base for kidnappers. Mohammad's upbringing had been filled with hatred and violence, and he was seriously injured in a gunfight against government soldiers. At the foot camp, he even met a former enemy from the gunfight. Both of them had become handicapped and were receiving help from Tzu Chi. Victims of dreadful explosions and wounded soldiers alike all receive a chance to walk again. They also have an opportunity to pour out their emotions, as candidly as they choose, to the volunteers.

Some people who were born handicapped require surgery before they can be fitted for prostheses. Tzu Chi volunteers discovered that children have a stronger tolerance than adults, and as a consequence they really treasure a chance to walk again.

One poor patient had never bought a shoe in his entire life, as he only had one normal foot and felt that he would not be getting his money's worth if he bought only one shoe. Therefore, he had spent his whole life barefoot. The volunteers were heartbroken to see the thick layer of calluses on the bottom of his foot. When they gave him a pair of shoes after he put on his prosthesis, tears flowed from his eyes.

Walking for the first time

Volunteers at the foot camp saw mothers carrying their handicapped children on their backs because they were too poor to buy wheelchairs or canes. The volunteers gave these children walking sticks and taught them how to use them before putting on their prostheses. The children were delighted to be independent and worked hard to master the canes as quickly as possible.

Yang pointed out that these handicapped children feel very inferior when other students laugh at them, and they often drop out of school. Tzu Chi provides them with prostheses so that they can stand up tall for the first time in their lives. Tzu Chi's modest efforts let these children know that there are people who care about them and provide them with the encouragement and strength to move forward in their lives.

A thin, dark woman carried her five-year-old daughter, named Charity, to the first foot camp. Charity's right leg was deformed below the knee. Her father made a living by selling vegetables, and his income was just enough to put food on the table. Charity's mother carried her on her back to kindergarten every day.

The volunteers couldn't believe it when they heard that Charity's teacher had told all of the children that they had to perform on stage for their graduation ceremony. If Charity couldn't perform, then she couldn't graduate. We are relieved and happy to say that after Charity received her prosthesis, she graduated happily.

Twelve-year-old Jason's left foot was badly deformed and he limped awkwardly. When his grandmother learned that the foot had to be removed before he could receive a prosthesis, she refused at once. "My grandson may not walk perfectly, but at least he can still walk." She seemed to have no faith in the surgery.

However, Jason yearned for a prosthesis in the hope that he would be able to walk like a normal child, and he cried and begged his grandmother to agree to the surgery. When volunteers explained that the prosthesis was free of charge and would make an immense difference to Jason's life, the grandmother finally gave in.

Jason finally had a new foot and didn't have to endure any more discrimination. He became very open and his diffidence soon disappeared. At school, he is now a good dancer and a fine basketball player too.

Jason's father is a temporary construction laborer and doesn't have a steady income. When volunteers asked Jason's grandmother if the family needed any more assistance, she replied that they had already gained enough help from Tzu Chi. She felt that it was important for Tzu Chi to continue on and help other people who were less fortunate than they were.

A rehabilitation center created by love

During the first four foot camps, volunteers were very busy with handicapped people phoning in every day asking for help. Although the four camps successfully fitted 78 people with prostheses, there was also a serious problem.

As Jason was growing up rapidly, he needed a new prosthesis or adjustment to his current prosthesis every three months. The same situation applied to Charity because she too was growing fast. "It's vital that these children obtain help when readjusting their prostheses and also in receiving rehabilitation as they grow up," Yang explained.

However, Yang's main concern was that personnel from the Philippine Orthopedic Center couldn't come to Zamboanga often enough to help these handicapped people because of their heavy workload nationwide. Over 6,000 people in Zamboanga alone still required prostheses.

After careful consideration, the volunteers realized that the best solution would be to build their own prosthesis production center and physical rehabilitation center in Zamboanga so that they could directly help those in need.

"Before we even asked for help, the Philippine Mahaveer Foundation informed us that if we could find a location to set up a production center, then they would provide the materials and machines and train the technicians. Shortly afterwards, the city hospital gave us a piece of land located next to their building."

The groundbreaking ceremony for the Tzu Chi Great Love Rehabilitation Center took place on February 19, 2004, and the center was officially opened five months later on July 17.

Yang recalled that they originally planned to build only a small house in which to produce the prostheses, but Master Cheng Yen told them to go ahead and build the best center in town. Therefore, the budget expanded from 400,000 pesos (US$7,200) to 3,800,000 pesos (US$68,400).

In Zamboanga, 45 volunteers put all of their efforts into raising construction funds, while Tzu Chi volunteers in Manila and Cebu also held fundraising events to help. Yang said that at the beginning the fundraising wasn't very fruitful, but the Master encouraged them to believe that everyone was unselfish and had love hidden in their hearts, and so everyone's love could be activated.

A manifestation of love

In addition to Tzu Chi members, people who had received help from the foundation also did their best to help out with the fundraising.

In August 2001, volunteers went for the first time to a leprosy institute in Pasobolong to distribute medicine, small farming tools, television sets, and daily necessities. Previously, the patients had only been in contact with the Catholic nuns who worked there. Some charity groups had also delivered goods to the institute, but they were afraid that the leprosy was contagious, so they simply put the goods at the front door and left. When the Tzu Chi volunteers greeted the residents in person and directly gave them the goods, the residents were delighted. Seven of them would also receive prostheses later.

When the residents heard that Tzu Chi was building a rehabilitation center, they volunteered to help knock down a building which was currently located on the construction site. This saved a demolition fee of US$900, and useful materials from the old building were recycled and used again in the new building, saving a further US$23,400.

The front yard of the rehabilitation center was paved with 3,800 interlocking bricks, which were donated by local people. Yang said that the purpose of this was to make it known that it wasn't only a wealthy person's privilege to do good deeds, but that it was the right of any person with a good heart.

Yang remarked that the first and second patients at the new center were Muslims who had been injured in terrorist attacks. Tzu Chi is a Buddhist organization, but Yang is a Catholic, the president of the Zamboanga City Medical Center is a Mormon, the chairperson of the Philippine Mahaveer Foundation is a Hindu, and some of the government officials involved are Christians. Yang commented, "Attendees at both the groundbreaking ceremony and the opening ceremony were Filipinos, Chinese, and Hindus, so this really was a manifestation of both multiculturalism and universal love."

People can receive help at the center, and many good people also choose to go there to provide help. This collective level of cooperation without asking for anything in return really expresses the integration of religious Great Love. It is like a colorful rainbow which bridges the abyss and brings handicapped people into a world full of hope.

The Tzu Chi Great Love Rehabilitation Center covers 9,251 square feet. It serves both handicapped people and patients who have suffered from strokes, and it provides both physical rehabilitation and support in fitting prostheses. The poor receive service free of charge. Currently, close to 80 people per day come for rehabilitation. The first foot camp to take place in the center, the seventh in Zamboanga, was held on October 17, 2004.

A handicapped person once told a volunteer that he had prayed for many years before getting his prosthesis, and he wanted to thank God for granting him such kindness through the many good Tzu Chi members. He didn't know how much longer he could still use the prosthesis since he was so old, but he felt happy for the children who would continue to receive help.

Yang said that Jason can now walk much more steadily and has improved to such a degree that he can even imitate Michael Jackson's 'moonwalk'! He commented that everyone was always surprised to discover that Jason's left leg was actually artificial. Charity now walks to school every day, which means her mother doesn's need to carry her on her back anymore. Charity's mother now works as a laundress, which enables her to bring more money to the family.

"Time is essential to these children. Without a prosthesis, they will continue to lead tough lives with little hope and suffer from low levels of self-esteem. That was why we set up the rehabilitation center," concluded Yang.

Handicapped people can return to normal lives after getting their prostheses. Their family members can also see the light at the end of the tunnel as they are freed from the obligation to provide constant care while bound by continuous financial stress. The Tzu Chi volunteers in Zamboanga experience such joy when they see that the center can help more people to change their lives.

Who gains the most after experiencing all of this? "From seeing so many handicapped people stand up again," Yang explains, "we really feel grateful to have achieved a deeper understanding of the message, 'Life is priceless.'"