GREAT LOVE ACROSS THE TAIWAN STRAITS

#Distribution of food, clothing and comforters in Ningde, Fu-an, Xiapu, Fuding, Yongding, Changding, Nanping, Jian-ou and Zhenghe. Construction of Xiamen Dike in Fuding and Shuisheng Dike in Xiapu.

#Construction of Fangcun Tzu Chi Primary School in Jian-ou and Qianqi Tzu Chi Secondary School in Fuding.

#Educational and medical exchange in Xiamen, including free clinics and distribution of financial assistance to low-income households.

In July 1996, when Taiwan was devastated by Typhoon Herb, Tzu Chi volunteers immediately sent relief supplies along with their care to the disaster areas. The strong typhoon continued on to sweep Fujian Province on mainland China. Tens of thousands of families were made homeless and vast areas of farmland were ravaged.

Immediately after the relief operation in Taiwan, Tzu Chi volunteers went directly to Fujian to inspect typhoon-ravaged areas. After gathering information, Tzu Chi relief teams distributed food and comforters in October to thirty-eight thousand victims in six severely devastated counties and cities, including Fuding, Fu-an, Ninde, Yongding and Changding. The distribution went smoothly with the help of Tzu Chi volunteers from Fuding and Hong Kong helping in eastern and western Fujian respectively. Tzu Chi also funded the construction of Qianqi Tzu Chi Seconday School in Fuding and Fangcun Tzu Chi Primary School in Jian-ou so that children could continue to go to school.

The victims expressed their gratitude and vowed that they will always remember the great love of the Taiwanese people. It was indeed the wish to spread the seeds of selfless love that had impelled Tzu Chi people to the disaster areas despite the arduous journey, the hard work and the personal expense.

In April 1999, doctors from Tzu Chi hospital and members of the Tzu Chi International Medical Association, together with a hundred Tzu Chi volunteers from Singapore, Malaysia, Shanghai and Fuzhou, were invited by the Xiamen Medical Association to participate in a four-day medical exchange program.

During the two-day free clinic, which was part of the exchange program, Tzu Chi doctors treated 2,151 patients. A blood donation was held side by side with the free clinic, and the response was most satisfying. Meanwhile, volunteers also visited eighty low-income households and provided them with free medical services and financial assistance.

According to Secretary Tseng of the Xiamen Medical Association, besides exchanging information on medical practice, what was more important was "to introduce to the Xiamen people how Tzu Chi doctors treat their patients with love and care." The free clinic was a joint effort of doctors from both sides of the Taiwan Straits. Together, they have realized the power of Great Love.

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