Tug Chi, you are so dear to me.
Memories of the past keep coming back.
It was a moment of misery
For those who witnessed and experienced it.
Every second of those moments
We fought bravely to save valuable lives.
Dear love, because you always bring happiness to me.
I have forgotten that bitter grief and feel joyful again.
Because you give me courage and diligence,
I want to share your heavy burden.
Your smile drives away my tears,
Makes me strong, and brings me blessing and hope.
You know my thoughts and have opened my eyes.
You have become my closest friend,
And have changed my soul and style.
You are like a priceless gift
That God has given to me.
You understand me and cuddle me
In your hands of sincerity,
and you kiss my anguish away.
As the sky is beautiful and boundless,
So is my love for you on this St. Valentine's Day.
I want to be a red rose in your garden.
Dear Tzu Chi, I love you
Because my Valentine is you.　

On February 14, 2005, four members of the Samidon family presented this poem to the Tzu Chi volunteers that had stood shoulder-to-shoulder with them for almost two months in Sri Lanka. On this special Valentine's Day, the family was especially mindful of how much the volunteers had worked and sacrificed to help rebuild the lives torn asunder by the devastation.

Since December 30, 2004, just four days after the deadly tsunami struck the inhabitants of Sri Lanka, Tzu Chi volunteers have been helping survivors rebuild their homes, their communities, and their lives. Naturally, many Sri Lankans are grateful for Tzu Chi's compassion and love. The Tzu Chi volunteers, in turn, are grateful to the local Sri Lankan volunteers for helping the relief work proceed smoothly. The local volunteers motivated residents to help themselves and others, and have thus served as a major force for healing and reconstruction. Like young flowers growing upward from cracks in bare rock, they have risen from the destruction and pain around them and brought new life and encouragement to their own communities.

.......................................................................................................................................

Turning Despair into Hope

Narrated by Zareena Samidon
Translated by Liou Yi-te
Photograph by Lin Yen-huang

After the tsunami struck and destroyed our home, our entire family was forced to live for 12 days in the forest. We escaped death with only the clothes on our backs. Our possessions had been carried away by the huge waves; we owned no clean clothes in which to change, and we did not have enough food to eat or enough water for a shower. We were terrified and exhausted.

As if our situation was not dire enough, my nephew began to suffer from severe diarrhea. We waited for the illness to pass, but when it had persisted for five days without any signs of letting up, we decided to seek medical treatment for him. We were forced to hitchhike out of the forest. Our search for help eventually led us to a Tzu Chi medical station.

At the station, a volunteer asked us, "What did you eat in the woods?" I replied that we had no food and had eaten nothing. At my answer, he promptly provided some instant rice and crackers, and he comforted me with words of hope: "Don't be scared; we'll keep you company." I was so touched by his kindness and compassion that I burst out in tears, releasing all the fear and frustration that had built up since the tsunami.

The volunteer continued: "We're not familiar with this place and we don't know how to speak the local language. Since you can speak English, would you please help translate for us? We would be very grateful if you would join our volunteer group." Because his actions and words of comfort had moved me tremendously, I didn't hesitate a moment--I immediately said yes.

Looking back on that decision, I have to admit that my primary motivation for volunteering on the spot was the money I could receive for carfare. I still can't believe how selfish I was at that time.

On my first day, I went to the medical station to translate for a doctor. On the second day, I left the medical station and accompanied volunteers to search the countryside for survivors that could not make it to the clinic. I interpreted the survivors' stories into English so the volunteers could understand what they had endured. Their suffering was immense. Some of the families we found had lost 20 or 30 members. Tragically, some of the people we encountered were lone survivors who had lost every single one of their family members.

Compared to these unfortunate victims, I realized how lucky I was. All of my family members had come through the disaster safe and sound. I was still mentally and physically healthy and capable of contributing much to society. Given my relative affluence, I began to feel how important it was for me to give back to my people and serve my country. Additionally, I was very impressed that Tzu Chi volunteers had traveled long distances, across political and cultural borders, to help rebuild my country. They were not even related to the people they were helping, and yet they gave of themselves unselfishly. This gave me even more reason to help my own people. From that day forward, I happily joined Tzu Chi in the rescue and reconstruction efforts.

One day, a fellow countryman said something mean to me. Deeply hurt, I ran to a washroom and cried for 15 minutes. When I came out, a volunteer noticed my tear-streaked face and said to me, "Don't cry, you're doing a great job! Try not to be affected by other people's criticism." Her soothing words of reassurance were able to calm me down and convinced me to continue working with the foundation.

After that incident, I could not bring myself to accept any reimbursement for my services. In my heart, Tzu Chi had become as important to me as my own parents. Just as I would help my parents in need without expecting anything in return, I decided to help Tzu Chi without expecting anything in return.

My sister, Rizniya, and I worked with Tzu Chi at the medical station for three or four weeks. Even though we had an opportunity to take a trip to Colombo during this time, we declined the offer. We knew that by staying, we could help many more survivors rebuild their lives. Nothing made us happier than helping in this way, not even a pleasure trip to Colombo.

There were times when the tragic stories of the survivors made me cry. I frequently shared these stories with my parents when I arrived home in the evening. My parents noticed how my work with Tzu Chi had brought out a new spirit of maturity in me. They commented, "You're different! You've grown a lot!"

I could sense the growth in me as well. Before the tsunami, my older brother always went with me to school. Outside of school, my parents were constantly by my side. Working for Tzu Chi was the first time that I was able to do something independent of my family.

The more involved I became in serving with Tzu Chi, the more I wanted to share the love and happiness I felt. I phoned my brother, who was married and living on his own, and asked him if he would be interested in serving as a volunteer for Tzu Chi. He declined my invitation because he didn't really understand what the foundation was all about. But when I began to share with him all the experiences that I had had through Tzu Chi, he was so impressed he agreed to join me. My younger brother similarly agreed to give Tzu Chi a try. Neither was disappointed in their decision.

Getting involved in Tzu Chi was one of the most pivotal experiences of my life. I learned so much and accomplished so many tasks for the first time. Even after a long day's work, I wasn't tired. Although I may have been physically fatigued, I felt spiritually fulfilled.

I felt hopeless prior to my involvement in Tzu Chi, especially as people around me asked the same questions over and over: "What should we do?" "Where can we go?" "Who can help us?" Because there are so many opportunities to help through Tzu Chi, my mindset has been transformed from one of despair to one of hope. There have been so many times that my heart has seemed to say, "Just keep going and help people. That way, your life will become more meaningful."

From now on, my only wish is to give of myself for the good of society and my fellow human beings. I know that even if Tzu Chi completes its mission and leaves our country, I will still use my volunteer experience to take advantage of any opportunity to help people. Of course, I hope that Tzu Chi volunteers will be with us forever!

.......................................................................................................................................

Delaying My Studies for My People

Narrated by Uditha Asanka Waduge
Translated by Liou Yi-te

On January 1, 2005, I visited a Tzu Chi medical station seeking treatment for a sore back. After working so hard in the aftermath of the tsunami, I was fatigued and required immediate treatment. At the station, I met a Taiwanese surgeon, Dr. Li Wei-che.

The doctor jokingly asked me, "You're so young, so how can you have back problems?" I explained that my younger brother, my friends, and I had been lifting people injured in the tsunami and bringing them to hospitals. We had also been busy providing lunches to victims over the past several days. All of this was more than enough to explain my serious back pain.

After talking with me, Dr. Li saw that I had the heart to help tsunami victims. Because I could speak English, he encouraged me to translate for the Taiwanese doctors at the medical station. Eager to help any way I could, I gladly returned to the medical station the very next day.

In the beginning, I didn't know exactly how to help out or how to show compassion to patients. But as I worked under the guidance of other volunteers, I gradually began to understand my duties. Although at first I had no idea how to treat a wound, I quickly picked up many first aid techniques by watching others. Now I know how to perform basic first aid and have learned the proper way to care for patients.

Despite working long hours at the clinic, I never felt tired. I think this was because there were so many people who loved me and so many people I loved in return. Because I was able to help others, I felt fulfilled. In fact, I was so preoccupied with helping others that my own back pain disappeared!

The tsunami and its aftermath came at a crucial time for me, because I was studying hard in preparation for additional schooling in Japan. I felt that it was more important to continue volunteering and helping others, so I asked my teacher to postpone my preparation classes for a few weeks.

My teacher was surprised at my request. "Why? Do you know that you only have one or two months to prepare?" I responded that I felt compelled to continue to help the victims of the tsunami, even though it meant putting my education on hold. After hearing the explanation, my teacher was very supportive. He wished me well, saying, "You can be a volunteer and study at the same time. Just go ahead and help the needy!"

From that time on, I slept only two or three hours a night. I awoke at four a.m. and studied to six. Then I would go to work at the medical station. By the time I fell back into bed at the end of the day, my feet were very sore and I was totally exhausted. I realized that I could not continue to prepare for study abroad and volunteer with Tzu Chi at the same time. It was just too much.

One evening, I told my parents, "Mom, Dad, please don't be angry, but I've decided to postpone my studies in Japan for a year or so." They were puzzled and asked me why. I explained that I wanted to continue my volunteer work with Tzu Chi. They agreed that my reasoning was sound, and they even came to the medical station to observe exactly how I spent my days.

When I informed the overseas study agency that I was postponing my studies, they warned that my decision would make things difficult for me. They pointed out that I had already signed some documents and paid tuition money up front. Despite the difficulties that faced me, I did not waver in my decision. Even if my decision meant a financial or educational setback, I deeply wanted to show my love to the victims of the tsunami.

Some people have asked why I continue to volunteer with Tzu Chi, especially considering the high personal cost. I tell them that before the tsunami, my life felt unfulfilled. Now, through my volunteer work with the foundation, I feel happy, fulfilled, and full of love. That is the driving force for my continued involvement with Tzu Chi.

I owe my newfound fulfillment to Master Cheng Yen. Because of her, Tzu Chi volunteers were able to come here, and I was given an opportunity to contribute to my people. When I saw Master Cheng Yen's photo and received Buddhist chanting beads and a necklace with a picture of a bodhisattva, I felt even stronger and more courageous.

Ever since I started my volunteer work, I have wanted to tell my people, "Please contribute your love and hospitality to the weak and needy! Provide them with food and do what you can to protect them! Use your love to do the right thing!"



.......................................................................................................................................


A Good Night's Sleep

Text and Photograph By Yeh Tzu-hao
Translated by Liou Yi-te

On the eve of the 2005 Chinese New Year, Dharshana Prasad and 13 other Sri Lankan Tzu Chi volunteers arrived in Taiwan to visit the Abode of Still Thoughts. They looked forward to visiting the spiritual home of the Tzu Chi Foundation and celebrating the Chinese New Year with other overseas Tzu Chi volunteers.

Dharshana wasn't just an ordinary volunteer, however. This was apparent from the fanfare and enthusiasm from those that were aware of the outstanding service he rendered in Sri Lanka after the tsunami. "You should interview him. He's a hero in Hambantota." said Tuan Ghouse Arfin. Chu Chang-lin, a Tzu Chi volunteer who had become acquainted with Dharshana in Sri Lanka, called him "Mr. Bodhisattva." Both were describing this humble Buddhist disciple who bravely rescued many people when the tsunami struck his hometown on December 26, 2004. Afterwards, he spent another month helping other victims in need of assistance. He views himself simply as a survivor, not a hero. He truly embodies the finest attributes of Tzu Chi.

Dharshana, 29, grew up as the oldest son in a middle-class family. He graduated with a bachelor's degree in business management and now trains new employees at a Sri Lankan insurance company. Because the country has such a low gross national product, Sri Lanka's entire insurance industry is still in the early stages of development. As a result, Dharshana must work very hard each day. Despite his weighty responsibilities, he always has a positive attitude. "You should face anything with initiative, perseverance and hard work," he often remarks.

Unfortunately, not even his positive attitude was strong enough to protect him from the magnitude of the suffering caused by the tsunami. The entire experience was so painful that he suffered from severe post-traumatic stress syndrome.

He was so deeply affected by the tsunami that he could not sleep for three consecutive nights. His dark, depressed face and his bloodshot eyes revealed his physical and mental exhaustion. Dharshana admitted, "It's not that I was afraid. It's just that I kept thinking about all those people that died. I could have saved even more people."

When the tsunami hit, Dharshana was in his house, situated on the top of a small hill. He watched helplessly as villagers were pulled into the ocean by the giant waves. He felt so helpless, unable to do anything to save them.

After the waves subsided, he and other survivors hurried down to a lagoon to try and save victims that had not been washed out to sea. After saving 20 people, Dharshana was completely depleted of energy.

"There were about 50 injured people that might have been saved if they had been properly treated. I had to helplessly watch them die. It was mental torture for me." After the tsunami, Hambantota was covered with corpses lying in muddy salt water. The air became unusually damp and hazy. The entire city was filled with wailing and weeping. It truly felt like hell.

Dharshana's parents and two brothers survived the disaster. However, his grandmother and his uncle's family were not so lucky; "I lost 18 relatives in all," sighed Dharshana.

After the tsunami, Dhanshara forced himself out of his lethargic attitude by assisting survivors at a local temple. It was there that he met three Tzu Chi volunteers, who invited him to serve as a translator at one of their medical stations. He accepted their offer. Helping the Tzu Chi medical staff calmed his nerves and enabled him to finally sleep more soundly.

Because Dhanshara was a local resident who spoke fluent English, he was perfectly suited to help translate for the villagers. For the next month, he spent all of his spare time at the Tzu Chi medical station, assisting the volunteers and serving his countrymen.

His help eventually extended beyond translation services. Dharshana pulled in even more local volunteers to help with the humanitarian services. "I asked my friends to help out with Tzu Chi," he recalls. "Even though they had never heard of the foundation, they immediately agreed to lend a hand." Volunteer Lin Chung-hu exclaimed, "He gathered 20 or 30 people to help distribute rice in late January. He was a big help!"

"Before the tsunami, my friends led a laid-back, easy life. It was common for them to sleep in until 10 a.m.," Dharshana remarked with a laugh. "I was afraid they would change their minds about helping, so I went to each and every one of their houses to pick them up. Surprisingly, they were ready by the time I got there." He admits that this was probably the first time his friends had ever awoken at 5:30 a.m. Even so, he is proud to report that his friends diligently helped out for three days without complaining or asking for anything in return.

Like many Sri Lankans, Dharshana practices Theravada Buddhism. He believes that the Buddha is the ultimate Enlightened Being, and that he should abide by the Buddha's teachings. After the tsunami, his beliefs only grew stronger. "Almost all of the Buddhist sculptures and glass windows at the temples in the devastated areas remained intact. This showed that the tsunami was only a warning, targeted at humans."

After his month of volunteer service in Sri Lanka and a three-day tour at Tzu Chi headquarters in Taiwan, Dharshana reflected on the tsunami and his subsequent service with the foundation. "Just after the disaster, I couldn't sleep. After I started volunteering with Tzu Chi, I was able to sleep soundly. This was because I knew that I was helping my people. I cannot express how grateful I am to Tzu Chi. I learned a lot of the Buddha's teachings and wisdom in school, and I was able to confirm much of what I had learned through Tzu Chi. I feel closer to the Buddha because of this experience."

Dharshana again expressed his hearty thanks before he left Taiwan. Although he does not consider himself more than a survivor who was able to lend a hand, he will continue to serve others through Tzu Chi. Even before he left Taiwan, he was already thinking about how his countrymen could learn more about the foundation. He exclaimed with enthusiasm, "We [Sri Lankans] cannot directly absorb Master Cheng Yen's teachings. We need a translator. Therefore, I earnestly asked the Master to help us learn Chinese so more Sri Lankan people can get to know Tzu Chi."

Dharshana is indeed a true hero!


.......................................................................................................................................


Compassionate International Traders

Text and Photograph by Yeh Tzu-hao
Translated by Liou Yi-te

Whenever talk turns to the Tzu Chi rescue efforts in Sri Lanka, one of the first topics to come up is the Leader Day Company, a fabric-trading company based in Colombo. Employees take turns helping Tzu Chi volunteers translate and negotiate with the prime minister's office regarding the post-tsunami reconstruction efforts. They are crucial contributors in the rebuilding efforts in Sri Lanka. The two managers of the Leader Day Company, Anil de Silva and Sirosha Prithiviraj Guntiltake, are the heart and soul behind this humanitarian assistance.

Although Anil and Sirosha first visited the Tzu Chi headquarters in February 2005, their history with Taiwan goes back over two decades. In the mid-1980s, Taiwan's fabric industry was booming. Anil, then 30, and Sirosha, 20, were both working for a Japanese company at the time. Their jobs required them to travel to Taiwan, meet with Taiwanese textile manufacturers, and inspect fabrics at a factory in Tainan in southern Taiwan.

After building a solid reputation, accumulating experience, and solidifying important connections in the industry, they were ready to start their own business. In 1997, the two entrepreneurs established the Leader Day Company. Seven years later, they have 70 employees working for them.

Sirosha, now age 41, reflects that he has had much success with his career and his family. His fatherly pride is evident as he tells us, "I have three kids: a seven-year-old, a five-year-old, and a sixteen-month-old." He is equally proud of his success in the business world, but his pride is tempered with a heart of compassion. With sincerity and kindness, he says, "We have to earn money, but money itself should not be our highest priority; caring for others should be our highest priority."

With such positive attitudes towards business, family and life, Anil and Sirosha have been able to create a friendly, family-like atmosphere in the workplace. This deemphasizes the hierarchical structure in the company and allows employees to perform at their best. In addition, Anil and Sirosha encourage their employees to take time out of their busy schedules to give to the poor. Anil says with a smile, "The amount and size of what we do is not much, but we try our best. A lot of Sri Lankan people help others but remain quiet." This statement clearly reveals the pure and kind hearts of Sri Lankans.

When the tsunami occurred, the employees of Leader Day Company were on vacation. "I saw the news showing how the tide was unusually low," Sirosha recalls. "I told my wife I wanted to check it out." He stood at the shoreline in Colombo and saw that the extremely low tide had left over half a kilometer of seabed exposed. He immediately called out to Anil to come and look at the eerie sight. "The coral reefs are exposed!" he yelled.

Although this rare occurrence attracted hordes of people to the beach, the tide returned slowly enough that people were able to move to safety without getting caught and pulled into the ocean. No one as yet knew that the strange occurrence had resulted in enormous tsunamis elsewhere. In fact, some parts of Colombo had already been hit.

Anil and Sirosha had no way of knowing that Hambantota, Galle, and other cities along the coast in southern Sri Lanka had been hit so hard by the tsunami. "The bad news arrived really late. We didn't know the true situation until the next day," Anil remembers. "At first, 3,000 people were reported dead. We didn’t expect the figure to skyrocket to over 30,000!"

Just when the managers were considering how best to help the victims, they received an urgent phone call from Chu Chang-lin, a trading partner in Taiwan. Chu urged Anil and Sirosha to help Tzu Chi in any way they could. At his request, Anil immediately gathered his employees together and organized their response to help the Tzu Chi relief work in Sri Lanka.

The initial efforts of helping victims has given way to the more long-term assistance of helping people to rebuild their lives, but the Leader Day employees are continuing to help tsunami victims. Even though the death toll from the disaster is no longer climbing, the effects are still being felt. Anil observes that many survivors are unemployed. "The rebuilding efforts still have to go on," he states matter-of-factly. "We have to support these people until they have a source of income. It will probably take at least half a year."

Even though Leader Day employees and families are safe and sound, almost everyone knows someone who died in the disaster.

"After the tsunami, people should realize that they should do more good things and give more of their love to others," Anil said seriously. "In the past few years, people's values have changed dramatically. The crime rate has increased and politicians are jostling for power. It is very disheartening. If we continue down this path, then something worse is bound to happen."

Anil, a devout Buddhist, continued, "In Hambantota, many buildings were covered with mud following the tsunami, but the Buddhist structures were intact and free of mud." This observation only strengthened Anil's desire to be a more devout Buddhist.

Anil worries that the Sri Lankan people are gradually losing their respect for Buddhism. He feels that young people do not have a good model to follow and the Buddhist culture is fading away. It is undeniable that Sri Lanka's traditional culture and religion are being challenged by modernization. However, seeing the fantastic job his young employees and Tzu Chi volunteers have done makes him feel hopeful again.

"I've been to Taiwan ten times, all on business. However this time around, I have come to say thank you." Anil holds Master Cheng Yen in very high regard. "A good country needs a good role model. Master Cheng Yen is a wonderful model. It is hard to imagine a woman possessing such intelligence and the determination to promote relief work throughout the world."

Anil tells his Tzu Chi friends, "You are so lucky, Taiwanese people are so lucky!"


.......................................................................................................................................


A Meaningful Vacation

Narrated by Helene Manlius
Translated by Liou Yi-te

During the winter holidays, many Europeans and Americans take time off from work to relax in the festive atmosphere of Sri Lanka. I am no exception. As an assistant manager of the French branch of the Leader Day Company, I wanted to take a vacation in Sri Lanka as well. I called and spoke with Chamaka de Silva in Sri Lanka about the situation following the disaster. Over the phone, he advised me not to visit Sri Lanka yet. There was still too much widespread devastation in the region due to the tsunami. Chamaka advised that I would do better to wait a few months and give time for the country and the people to rebuild from the disaster.

But instead of deterring me, his descriptions of the destruction only increased my desire to travel to Sri Lanka. For me, helping tsunami victims was even a better thing to do than taking a vacation.

I decided to take a month off from work and spend the time in Sri Lanka helping the rescue and reconstruction efforts. After traveling to the country, I attempted to sign up for the CARE international rescue team. Unfortunately, I was not accepted because I was not a health care professional.

At this setback, I spoke with Chamaka again and discussed my desire to help. He admired my aspirations, and he mentioned that there was a foundation called Tzu Chi situated in Hambantota. They were involved in the rescue efforts and were in need of eager volunteers. At his recommendation, I went to the Tzu Chi medical station in Hambantota and talked with the head doctor, Lin Chin-lon. He assigned me the task of taking patients' blood pressures.

I worked nonstop every day measuring the blood pressures of more than 1,000 patients. I never felt tired. On the contrary, I was really very happy because I was helping people.

Through my interaction with the Tzu Chi people, I feel that Buddhists are very humble. They don't brag about the good things they have done.