Great love left forever in the world-bodies donated to the Tzu Chi College of Medicine--started to help medical students in their training. On September 17, 1996, the Anatomy Lab was opened. The forty-eight junior year students in the Medical Department began their anatomy course with the dissection of thirteen bodies. Dr. Lee Ming-liang, president of the Tzu Chi College of Medicine, told the students that anatomy was a necessary course in the study of medicine, and that they should proceed in this study with reverence for life and gratitude towards those who had donated their bodies. He told them that reverence for life must not be limited to living persons, but should also be extended to the dead.

Opening ceremonies were held on September 17. The Earth Treasury Bodhisattva was worshipped in the sanctuary, and candles, fruits and flowers were laid on the altar. Master Teh Tzu and twelve other nuns from the Abode of Still Thoughts chanted "Amitabha" to complete the solemn rite.

As of this writing, more than six hundred people have signed body donation cards. In order to increase the resources for medical research organizations, thirteen seminars were held between June 28 and September 24 to promote an understanding of body donation. In order to encourage body donations and to increase efficiency and service, a body donation team network will be established at all Tzu Chi branch offices in Taiwan. One hundred volunteers will be recruited for this task. By the end of the year, these one hundred volunteers will receive specialized training at the College of Medicine.

Classroom at Vukuzakhe Finally Has
Door and Windows

Without a roof, a door and windows in a classroom, how can class be conducted in adverse weather? In July, Brothers Fang Lung-sheng, Lin Tien-ching, Shih Hung-chi and Lee Yi-lang paid a visit to the grade school at Vukuzakhe in Ezakheni, South Africa. They found that the school consisted of one brick house, about 12 square meters in area, and two other houses partitioned into several classrooms. In each classroom, there were several desks, one blackboard and dozens of stools. The roofs were made of corrugated boards, which were often broken or missing. There were rectangular openings of different sizes in the walls to allow people to pass through, but which also allowed the wind and snow to whirl in.

There was a total of 240 students and six teachers. Each class had between thirty and forty students. One class had eighty-nine students! There was no toilet in the school. Instead, teachers and students had to go into an open field to relieve themselves.

After discussion with the school master, Mr. Buthelezi, Tzu Chi members decided to help rebuild the classrooms. Mr. Buthelezi was very grateful, and he promised to urge the parents of the students and people living in the neighborhood to take part in the reconstruction.

Lawn Party Held at Tzu Chi
San Jose Liaison Office

A multi-purpose lawn party was held by the Tzu Chi San Jose liaison office in California. It attracted more than 3,000 visitors, and 80 people participated in the bone marrow donation blood test drive. The funds raised will be used for the Children's Rehabilitation Fund, marrow donor registration fees, and aid to victims of poverty.

Two hundred Tzu Chi brothers and sisters managed the events and provided traffic control. Forty stalls sold flowers, clothing, daily necessities and food. Restaurants, hair salons, pharmacies, tourist spots, and auto garages donated gift coupons. Antiques and handicrafts donated by Tzu Chi members from Peking sold out quickly. Calligraphy by Brother Chen Juei was also very popular. Other activities included drawing pictures on T-shirts with a computer, tossing sand bags, playing marbles, and catching small fish. Both adults and children had a delightful time.

Waaihoek Relief Program Transforms
Aspiration into Action

Tzu Chi members went to Waaihoek, Ladysmith, South Africa, on September 29 to hand out relief donations. They delivered 12 kg [26.4 lb] of corn powder and two kg [4.4 lb] of corn and clothing to each of 1,336 people in 167 households. Afterwards, the Tzu Chi brothers and sisters held hands and said, "Amitabha" to show their gratitude to the recipients.

Transportation to the outside world from the village is not convenient, so residents cannot leave the village to work. In addition, there are many people in each household, and they urgently need outside help. Tzu Chi has already helped them four times. Tzu Chi also discovered that the land is quite vast, so they plan to provide vegetable and fruit seeds to the residents, who can then plant them to improve their diet. Tzu Chi is currently working on improving their water resources.

American Branch Awards Scholarships to
African-Americans

On the morning of September 29, the United States branch office awarded scholarships to thirty African-American students from the Pasadena Community College nursing department. The branch office has also been awarding scholarships to assist poor African-Americans from the Los Angeles Southwest College to attend school. The office hopes that these students will do their best in their work after experiencing the Tzu Chi spirit.

Care for Disabled Children at
Pei Hua Orphanage

Tzu Chi members in Thailand visited the Pei Hua orphanage for disabled children on September 7. They spent the afternoon together with the 500 children at the orphanage. In addition to organizing recreational activities, the Tzu Chi brothers and sisters consulted with the clinic of the orphanage beforehand and brought them necessary medicines and medical items, such as absorbent cotton and bandages.

Tzu Chi members in Thailand had visited the orphanage for the first time in June and felt they had a special karmic relationship with the orphans, who range in age from 3 to 25. Although the orphans face different mental and physical challenges, they are not discouraged, but share a happy attitude toward life.

Argentinean Wins Calligraphy Contest

On September 21, the Tzu Chi Collegiate Youth Corps held a Chinese calligraphy contest at a local Chinese centre in Argentina. About 100 students from the four local Chinese schools--Hua Hsing, Hsin Hsing, Chung Hua, and Chiao Lien--participated in the event. The schools have been teaching Still Thoughts for two years, so the students are familiar with the phrases and can apply them in their daily lives.

"I like Chinese!" said Maria, an Argentinean girl. She has only learned Chinese for half a semester, but her writing was clear and orderly, and those who saw it were really impressed. A five-year-old boy who accompanied his sister to the contest also tried to write with a brush. Before the contest was over, he had written a complete phrase from Still Thoughts. The judge was very impressed.

Singapore Branch Celebrates Third Anniversary

Happiness never stops coming to the Singapore branch. It celebrated its third anniversary on September 21, and on October 4 it received the public service award from the Singapore Department of Social Development. Mr. Abdulah Taimugi, department minister, gave the award to the branch to recognize Tzu Chi's efforts in visiting and servicing the Wulan Nursing Home twice a month. Sister Ching Lien and Brother Hsu Fu-tung accepted the award on behalf of the branch.

On the third anniversary, Brother Li Cheng-fu, coordinator for northern Taiwan honourary board members, went to congratulate the branch on their anniversary, and he also shared with the local members his own path into Tzu Chi. Aboriginal dances, a Tzu Chi Youth choir concert, and folk dances in the evening put everyone in a festive mood.

Introducing Chinese Culture to Australian Elderly

On September 27, 50 Australian Tzu Chi members went to Ballina Nursing Home, northwest of Sydney, to celebrate the Chinese Moon Festival. They performed sign language songs, children's dancing, lantern-dress dancing, and choral singing to the elderly, who really enjoyed the show.

Australia is a multi-cultural country, and the government considers that although each ethnic group has its own religion, food and culture, all of them should be recognized and enjoy the same privileges. Thus the "living together" plan was started. The government has chosen ten races--Chinese, Italian, Greek, German, etc.--and each group takes turns to go to a nursing home to introduce its own food, culture, etc.

Still Thoughts Hall Opens in Texas

Close to 800 Tzu Chi members from the United States, South Africa and Canada, Chinese groups from Houston, and a number of US government representatives arrived in Houston on November 16 to celebrate the opening of the Still Thoughts Hall.

The ribbon-cutting ceremony was presided over by Master Ching Hai, the representative of the Yufo Temple in Texas. Masters Te Hsun and Te Yueh from Tzu Chi headquarters, Mr. Jason Hu, representative of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in the United States, Mr. Hwang Si-hsien, CEO of the Tzu Chi US branch, Mr. Gary Ho, CEO of the Tzu Chi Canada branch, and director of the Texas branch Brother Tzu-en also attended.

Sisters Ching-yi and Lu-ming read a letter of congratulations from Master Cheng Yen in Chinese and English. "This is a new era for Tzu Chi," the Master wrote. "I hope that in the future, more people--regardless of race, religion or nationality--will join this community of love and give with joy."

Congressperson Ann Swisher and representative for the mayor of Houston Mr. Rick Gamble, together with the Autumn Hill Nursing Home and Alief Independent School District, presented their speeches of praise. They also presented a Certificate of Honorary Citizenship and title of Goodwill Ambassador to Master Cheng Yen to acknowledge Tzu Chi's contribution to the state of Texas. Gov. Bush and Sen. Hutchison of Texas also sent letters of congratulations.

"Taiwan Tzu Chi Day" at Mater Hospital

November 16 was an unforgettable day for Tzu Chi members in Brisbane, Australia, because on that same day in 1991 they started doing volunteer work in Mater Misericordiae Hospital. This year, the hospital held the fifth annual "Taiwan Tzu Chi Day" to acknowledge the contributions of Asian ethnic groups to Australia. At the same time, it was also a celebration of the sixth anniversary of the Tzu Chi branch in Brisbane.

Hospital President Mark Avery described what Tzu Chi volunteers have done for the hospital. He informed the audience that the foundation had purchased a color Doppler ultrasonic scanner, automatic injector, respirator, cardiac monitor, detector for knee joint lesions, and other medical equipment for the hospital. Tzu Chi's great love has won the respect and appreciation of the entire hospital staff.

Volunteers from the Brisbane branch go to the hospital every day to work as translators, organize patients' medical histories and assist patients with their various needs. The Tzu Chi Youth regularly visit the Coorparoo Nursing Home every month. The Brisbane branch donates money every year to assist research on problems related to prematurely born babies. The branch also provides three scholarships, as well as medical research books, for the Queensland Institute of Medical Research.

Comforting Lonely Old Hearts

"I didn't know Tzu Chi was such a wonderful organization," said Diana Chan, chief executive of the Wong Chuk Hang Geriatric Hospital in Hong Kong. On September 31, Tzu Chi members in Hong Kong started their services at the hospital, which is generally considered a heaven for the elderly. The hospital aims at those over 65 years old who need long-term care, are at the terminal stage of sickness, or have mental illness. Patients do not lack anything, but they are quite lonely. When the Tzu Chi members went to visit them, the child-like old folks asked them to sing some Cantonese songs. Although the members did not know the songs very well, they still had the courage to try, even though they did not sing in tune. This made the old folks laugh happily.

80% Tuberculosis Cure Rate

Tzu Chi in Indonesia has helped the Tangerang Health Bureau to eliminate TB, and is now entering the third stage of its program. Over 80% of residents who had TB in Kiara Payung and Gaga have been cured. Those who still have the disease will still be provided with medicine for one year. In addition, Tzu Chi members will help to construct additional buildings for the Gaga elementary school.

Tzu Chi started to distribute free medicine in December last year. In the first stage, there were 200 patients. In September of this year the bureau carried out the second stage of examinations for 78 patients. Only 21 had not yet recovered. Six of them had signs of malnutrition. Tzu Chi has continued to provide medicine and one pack of rice every month.

Free Dental Clinic in Brazil Helps Destitute Children

Tzu Chi members in Brazil went to a shantytown in Vila Dalva on October 13 to provide free dental care. In celebration of Brazilian Children's Day, the members also brought gifts to the Sehac Nursery in the same area.