In order to help retarded children learn to respect life, the Tzu Chi Humanity School in Los Angeles sponsored a party at a park in Alhambra City for about 30 families with retarded children.

The programs, including a variety of snacks and games, were all designed with consideration for safety and comfort. Tzu Chi Youth Corps members led the students of the Humanity School in playing together with the retarded children. They imitated animals, played musical chairs, rolled a big ball, fed ducks, etc.

One child with serious brain palsy sat quietly in a wheelchair. The laughter and the sorrow around him were like wind and smoke passing through his muddy mind, making no impression on him. The mother of another seriously retarded child said that she had originally hoped that her child would react to training, but unfortunately he made no response at all. She was so depressed that she could only sob by herself until she gradually learned to love the child as he needed and to communicate with him.

Clothing to South India

There are some 600,000 poor people in South India. In Madras, the highest monthly income is only NT$2,500 (US$90). Upon request by Master Ananda and the Buddhist Association in India, Tzu Chi members in Singapore started to collect used clothing in March. Their good deeds moved local garment manufacturers to donate new clothing as well.

With the assistance of Master Ananda and the Buddhist Association in India, 12 Tzu Chi members from Singapore went to South India between April 24 and 29 to deliver 36,386 pieces of clothing under the blazing sun to ten poor coastal villages in Madras Providence. About 11,500 poor people received this clothing. Looking a little shamefaced at first, villagers received the clothing and turned without hesitation to put it on. This deeply moved the Tzu Chi brothers and sisters and helped them to realize the joy of giving and the growth of the soul.

Charity Bazaar in Durban, South Africa

From May 8 through 12, 1996, Tzu Chi members in Durban ran two booths in a charity bazaar sponsored by Lake Haven Children's Home. The profits went to the children's home, and some also went to help children with cancer in King Edward VIII Hospital.

Early on the morning of May 8, members of Tzu Chi and the Tzu Chi Youth Corps started to prepare spring rolls and fried noodles. They sent the food, together with toys and other sales items donated by Taiwanese businessmen, to Sea Cow Lake, where the bazaar was held. For five days, sales went on from 10:00 a.m. till 10:00 p.m. On the weekend, sales lasted until midnight. Many Tzu Chi people went to help after work and school.

Owing to the unstable political situation over the past few years, there have been many social problems in South Africa, causing a lot of children to wander on the streets. After contacting the Street Children's Forum, Tzu Chi members donated money.

There is a serious shortage of medical facilities in South Africa. The equipment in all public hospitals is very simple and poor. For example, King Edward VIII Hospital lacks wheelchairs and blood recycling machines. We hope more and more benevolent people will join us in the donation work.

Paraguay Holds First Distribution

Tzu Chi has sown its seeds of love in Paraguay! The Paraguay Liaison Office, founded in May, held a distribution for the first time at the Capiata Nursing Home, which houses 104 homeless seniors over the age of 70.

After investigating the needs of the home, Tzu Chi members provided blankets and mattresses. Moreover, they distributed "Still Thoughts" in Spanish to comfort the lonely old people. Reading the book, one of the patients was moved to tears.

Consisting of 100 members, the Paraguay Liaison Office focuses its work on home visits, and in the near future it will expand its care to centers for children and the elderly.

Aid to Atlantis Village

On June 2, a warm, sunny day, Tzu Chi members in Cape Town, South Africa shared their love with people who live in poverty in the Wistand and Pella villages of Atlantis. During a complete investigation in Atlantis, the Tzu Chi members discovered that 120 out of 850 houses needed help.

The villagers, who had recently been plagued by cruel thunderstorms in winter, welcomed the Tzu Chi people and their food and supplies. Village chief Mandla Ditnunya and social worker Rebecca Davids also helped distribute beans, peanuts, sugar and blankets.

A Visit to Ikemeleng Special Day Care Center

Stepping on the fallen leaves at the end of autumn, South Africa Tzu Chi members visited Ikemeleng Special Day Care Center, in the black area of Springs, on May 14, 1996. They brought corn powder, powdered milk, beans, sugar, etc. They also donated two wheelchairs and three mattresses.

Ikemeleng Special Day Care Center was founded in June 1994 by a group of loving mothers and social workers in two scrapped 20-foot containers. They do daytime care only. Right now there are nine mentally or physically retarded children receiving care and training there. Most of them are children with brain palsy.

Because of the lack of facilities, it is difficult to let the children breathe fresh air outside. The donation of two wheelchairs by Tzu Chi members should improve this situation.

The children with brain palsy could not walk. They had to sit or lie down. But when they saw Tzu Chi members, they revealed their simplicity by saying "Suwuboan," which means "How are you!"

Australian Research Director Visits
Tzu Chi College of Medicine

Dr. Martin Lavin, director of the Queensland Institute of Medical Research in Australia, and his wife made a special trip to visit Tzu Chi in Taiwan on May 16, 1996, under the escort of Tzu Chi Sister Wu Chao-feng. Dr. Lavin met with Dr. Lee Min-liang, president of the Tzu Chi College of Medicine, to discuss teaching and research projects in cancer prevention and cancer treatment in both schools.

Dr. Lavin invited Dr. Lee to visit Queensland University and the Institute of Medical Research for further communication. Dr. Lavin expressed his hope that outstanding students in the Queensland Institute could apply for research in the Tzu Chi College of Medicine, and vice versa.

Dr. Lavin indicated that research in Queensland focuses on cancer. Not only Australians, but also Asians will benefit. He showed his appreciation to Tzu Chi members in Brisbane for their assistance to Queensland University and the Institute of Medical Research in the past four years.

The Tzu Chi Brisbane Liaison Office first contacted the institute in August 1992. They raised research funds, scholarships and a medical encyclopedia set for the institute. In 1993, they set up research funds for Chinese students. Already two students have benefited. Last July, Queensland University gave their Humanitarian Award to Tzu Chi members there for their contributions to medical research.

Caritas Impressed by
Enthusiastic Spirit of Tzu Chi

A group of 24 delegates from Caritas, an international Catholic charity organization, came in touch with the power of love in Tzu Chi. On June 6, they divided into two teams to visit the Still Thoughts Hall in Hualien and the Taipei Branch Office.

A group of 13 visited Master Cheng Yen at the Abode of Still Thoughts. They asked about her motivation for establishing Tzu Chi and the way to maintain its primary goals. "Everybody is born with simplicity and integrity, which are the spirit of Tzu Chi," replied the Master. "Therefore, as long as we keep our hearts pure and honest, we won't lose our way."

Meanwhile, the Tzu Chi Foreign Language Publications Department in Taipei introduced the beginning of Tzu Chi, the four missions and the volunteer system to the other group, led by Sung Tzu-szu, the Caritas coordinator in Taiwan.

Marie Smith of Ireland said she was amazed by the enthusiastic spirit of Tzu Chi people. Fr. Michitaka Yamaguchi of Japan learned that the principle of Tzu Chi is that building a hospital is far more important than building a temple.

Over 120,000 Volunteer Marrow Donors in Taiwan

On June 9, a blazing summer day, a total of 7,026 volunteer bone marrow donors poured into stations set up in Ilan, Taipei, and Hsinchu to have their blood tested. According to statistics provided by the Tzu Chi Bone Marrow Registry, the number of volunteer marrow donors in Taiwan has risen to 124,578 people.

Handicapped painter Hsieh Kun-shan and musician Huang Naihui, who suffers from cerebral palsy, also took the blood test in Taipei. After Hsieh was injured by an accidental electric shock, all of his limbs except his left leg were amputated. To conduct the blood test, the nurse had to draw blood from Hsieh's left foot. Unfortunately, the blood vessels there were all so thin that it took many attempts to collect 10 milliliters of blood. Bystanders expressed their pity for Hsieh, but he simply kept smiling and said. "I've done it!"

Master Cheng Yen Awarded Diploma tic Prize

On June 5, Master Cheng Yen was awarded the First-Class Diplomatic Prize for her devotion to international disaster relief. Fredrick Chien, minister of foreign affairs, noted that her contributions have given Taiwan a good reputation worldwide.

Minister Chien stated that the Dharma Master represented the essence of Tzu Chi, which has drawn millions of people to willingly devote themselves to loving and caring for society. "She definitely deserves the highest honor," he added.

Helping to Build School in Marita

The Mexico Liaison Office plans to build an elementary school in the Marita mountain area near Tijuana. Tzu Chi members found out that children can receive hardly any basic education in this sterile land, where there is no gas, electricity or public facilities.

It took six months to get the building permits. Construction will start on June 27 and is expected to be finished by September. The school will include six classrooms, a track field and a water tower.

Continuing TB Care in Indonesia

"When someone gets hurt, I feel the pain." With this concept, Tzu Chi members in Indonesia are continuing to distribute medicine to TB patients in Tangerang and Kiarapayung villages. In the first six-month stage of the project, 184 patients were treated. Of those, 78 have been found who need continued treatment. Beginning in the middle of June, they will be treated for an additional three months .

During the first stage of distribution, Tzu Chi members provided rice and medicine to the TB patients. Six months later, the health of most of the patients has visibly improved.

Medical Practitioners Enlightened
in Still Thoughts Life Camp

The fifth Still Thoughts Life Camp was held at the Abode of Still Thoughts on June 8 and 9. Among the 112 participants, there were nearly 80 medical doctors, along with dozens of businessmen and Tzu Chi members from Singapore.

After 2 days of classes on Buddhist decorum, Tzu Chi's history and spiritual missions, and bone marrow donation, enlightened doctors expressed their feelings at a farewell party.

"For years in medical practice, it never occurred to me that I should thank my patients," said Dr. Lin Chi-chang of the Tri-Service General Hospital. "Not until I had gone to many activities at the Tzu Chi Taipei Branch Office did I learn to tone down my pride." Like Dr. Lin, Dr. Chen Kuangjung said he used to wonder why he remained an honest, upright doctor only to be paid less than other doctors. Yet after meditation at Tzu Chi, he saw the value of money in a new light. "Earning 10 to 20 thousand dollars more doesn't make much difference in my life, but that amount means so much to the poor."

"A slight change of mind could involve a life," said Dr. Kao Jui-ho. "From now on I shall pay more attention to my patients."

L.A. Tzu Chi Members Visit Fire Victims

A fire broke out in a building on Sunset Boulevard, Los Angeles, on May 30. Learning of the tragedy, L.A. Tzu Chi members headed for downtown L.A. to extend their care and deliver relief to the victims.

The fire was caused by a middle-aged resident who was plagued with illness and attempted to burn himself to death. The three-story building burned to the ground. Although the other residents were lucky enough to escape, they were now homeless and were temporarily sheltered in hotels arranged by the local Red Cross. Tzu Chi members went to the hotels to offer relief to the 12 victims.

Cooperation Between Marrow Donor
Registries in Taiwan and Japan

For the first time, Tzu Chi members in Japan were invited by the Japan Marrow Donor Registry Tokyo Office to attend their regular meeting in Shin-Zyuku on May 18, 1996. Mr. Nomura Masamitsu, director of the registry, said that efforts would be made to expedite the cooperation between the donor registries on both sides.

"Under Master Cheng Yen's leadership, the Taiwan registry has recruited more than 120,000 volunteer donors within two years," observed Mr. Masamitsu. "This performance has made us regard the love of Taiwanese with new respect." Representatives from the Taiwan registry will be invited to attend the International Marrow Conference in August, with a view to having further discussions on future cooperation.

Tzu Chi members taking part in the meeting included Lin Li-chu, Chang Pao-tsai, Ishij Hiroko and Kamada Matsuko. They said they would actively contact the Japan registry to promote cooperation.

The Japan Marrow Donor Registry is a private organization established in December 1991. They have registered 72,000 volunteer donors. Their first transplant was done in January 1993. The average transplant figure at present is about 30 per month.

Free Clinic Starts in Brazil

Tzu Chi celebrated the grand opening of the medical center at the Brazil Liaison Office on June 16. The free clinic gives dental care for poor people on Thursdays and Sundays. The center will later expand its care to pediatric and internal medicine services.

In addition to the free clinic, Tzu Chi members in Brazil cooperate in agricultural projects with the Tang Po Education Center, visit nursing homes, etc.

Hope for Retarded Children

The Long Island Liaison Office in New York held a Love Boutique on June 21, aiming to raise funds for the Tzu Chi Children's Rehabilitation Center in Taiwan. Over 600 people participated.

"Just because I can't talk doesn't mean I can't think; just because I can't walk doesn't mean I can't feel. I ask for no more than a respectable life." This touching message from the "True Stories of Retarded Children in Taiwan" was introduced by Sister Liu I-chih.

A slide show of the miserable situation of abandoned retarded children deeply touched the hearts of the participants. Some donated paintings for sale and some donated sickbeds. Even Christians took part in the event.

Atlanta Office Makes First Visit to Georgia Prison

On June 8, the temporary Atlanta Liaison Office, established in May with 50 members, made its first visit to a lifeterm prisoner in Georgia State Prison.

The inmate used to be visited periodically by Tzu Chi members in Texas and New York and has recently been taken care of by members in Atlanta. He said that in the last five years since his parents died, Tzu Chi members have been his only visitors.

The new Atlanta office now focuses its work on case visits and has decided to visit the prison on a long-term basis.

Selangor and Kuala Lumpur Form
Teachers Association

Thirty principals and teachers from Selangor and Kuala Lumpur formed a new teachers association on July 7, the second one in Malaysia after the Malacca Teachers Association. Both teams will work hand in hand to spread the teachings of "Still Thoughts" to enlighten their students.

Members of MTA shared true stories about how they have taught the spirit of "Still Thoughts." SKTA will hold a monthly meeting on the first Sunday of each month at Hsun-jen Independent Middle High School.

Palliative Care Ward Opens in TCGH

On August 8, Tzu Chi General Hospital opened Eastern Taiwan's first palliative care ward for terminally ill patients. The ward offers nine sickbeds and provides complete care, including mental and physical support, for patients and their families.

Unlike other wards, the palliative care ward aims to stabilize the physical condition of terminally ill patients. All the members of the palliative care team, formed in December 1995, are well trained to provide services.

TCGH is the fifth hospital in Taiwan to have palliative care. The ward was designed as a private home and a taste of family, and includes a living room, a restaurant and a roof garden.

Tzu Chi Villages Completed in Northern Thailand

On July 11, Tzu Chi members from the Northern Thailand Task Force and from Bangkok held a dedication ceremony for the new Tzu Chi villages in Chang-lung and Mi-sa-la. They also opened a summer agricultural training program.

In four months, the team finished two more Tzu Chi villages, part of Tzu Chi's Three-Year Assistance Plan implemented in 1995. The construction included 23 houses in Chang-lung and ten houses in Misala.

Considering self-sufficiency a primary goal for refugees, Tzu Chi members also invited agricultural experts to assist them in planting tea and seasonal fruits. Furthermore, training in planting skills was provided in order to increase the harvest.

TCGH Celebrates Tenth Anniversary

Happy birthday to Tzu Chi General Hospital!

Established on August 17, 1986, Tzu Chi General Hospital provides full medical services to people in the eastern area of Taiwan. Since its founding, it has increased the number of sickbeds from 600 to 719. In addition to the growth of the medical staff and the improvement of medical equipment, the hospital has assisted local physicians in medical and nursing training, formed a medical network service, offered free clinics to aboriginal communities, etc.

The high points of the tenth anniversary were two conferences. First, the International Bone Marrow Transplant Conference took place in Still Thoughts Hall on August 3 and 4. It consisted of a series of speeches by researchers and experts from all over the world.

The other was the International Conference on Community Care held from August 8 to 11. It mainly focused on the three issues of spinal injuries, care for terminally ill patients and post-discharge care.

TCGH Signs International MDR
Cooperation Agreement

On August 3 and 4, over 200 doctors, scholars and supporters from the Pacific area attended the International Bone Marrow Symposium at the Tzu Chi Hospital in Hualien. This conference was organized by the Tzu Chi Marrow Donor Registry to discuss subjects such as "Promotion of Bone Marrow Donation," "Bone Marrow Transplant," and "HLA Testing." The symposium successfully ended with a historical contract signing ceremony in which Taiwan, the United States, Australia and Singapore agreed to exchange database information.

The linking of the bone marrow registries of these four countries aimed to enhance the matching rate and furthermore to establish a full-functioned marrow bank system in Asia in the future.