Chen Qiu-hua came from Pakistan to meet with Master Cheng Yen at the Tzu Chi Guandu Compound in Taipei early in the morning of March 19. Based in Jordan, he was in Pakistan only a few days before as a member of a Tzu Chi team delivering relief goods and services to victims of a strong earthquake in Kashmir.

Chen sat upright before the Master to bring her up to date on the situation in Kashmir. He had barely started talking before he had to choke back his tears; even his strong, well-built body could not keep his emotions in check. Victims thronged the Tzu Chi distribution site, and most of them came in clothing much too light for the chilly weather. They stood in the rain and blowing wind, waiting quietly, for five hours. Even so, some of them gave up the sleeping bags that they could have received to "those who need them more," and they came only to claim some corrugated metal sheets with which to build themselves new shelters.

The team had surmounted many hurdles in procurement, logistics, bureaucracy, and bodily security, and bought as many relief goods as they could. But no matter how much they managed to bring in, it was never enough. The scarcity was exacerbated by the multitude of people who came without Tzu Chi-issued claim coupons. Chen sobbed as he went on with his presentation to the Master.

Chen could not bear to see the yearning for help in the victims' eyes. The hundred lollypops that he had bought for less than US$3 did deliver magic and joy to some barefoot children.

After the relief goods were depleted, all the team could do was pack up and, in tears, drive away, leaving behind countless feeble, stick-thin victims whose arms stretched out toward the departing trucks. Although a tough old hand at disaster relief missions, Chen displayed a soft side when he faced so much human suffering in person.

The Master empathized with the victims' miserable condition in the mountains and Chen's sorrow as well. She said that it was dangerous for the Pakistani victims to live in intensely seismic areas since they are vulnerable to potential quakes. The best solution would be to build housing in the plains for the victims so their children can have an education and hope for a better future. However, while Tzu Chi fully intends to help, it still faces numerous challenges, including international politics, religion, and ethnicity. Furthermore, it is hard to tell whether or not people are willing to abandon their ruined homes and relocate to a strange place. Despite all the difficulties, Tzu Chi is going to try its best to help.