慈濟慈善基金會

Remember the last time you felt hungry? That gnawing feeling in your stomach, the difficulty concentrating—this is a daily reality for many children in Ivory Park, South Africa, where food insecurity threatens both their health and future. 🍽️ Driven by compassion, six local volunteers—Nobuhle, Diniku, Khomotso, Jabulile, Makati, and Angelina—established a community kitchen in 2023, creating a lifeline for hungry children. 🍲 What began as a small initiative quickly grew to serve 134 children by 2024, providing not just meals but also stability and care. 🧒 On March 1, 2025, with support from Tzu Chi Foundation and the local community, the kitchen moved to a larger, safer space. 🏡 The community provided the venue while Tzu Chi contributed raw ingredients, cooking equipment, and additional volunteer support. 🍳 Beyond filling empty stomachs, the community kitchen now offers lessons in hygiene, self-respect, and personal growth through Jing Si Aphorisms. 📖 "We now understand the importance of hygiene, respecting our parents, and cherishing resources," shared one young volunteer. "We hope to share these values with even more children." ✨ This is the power of community action—transforming hunger into hope and education into opportunity. 🌈 Every meal served is a step toward a more sustainable future for these children. 💙 #TzuChiSouthAfrica #NourishingCommunities #VolunteerSpirit #EducationMatters

When a father participates in a child’s education, it makes all the difference. 🏫 At Howard Inghram Elementary, fathers, grandfathers, and uncles proudly walked their children to school for the Million Fathers March—a nationwide event encouraging male role models to be involved in their children’s education. Tzu Chi USA was honored to take part in this special morning, joining the school to give a warm welcome to the students with music, dancing, and community support. 🎒 To help students succeed, volunteers handed out backpacks, school supplies, and first aid kits—giving children the tools they need to learn and grow. When families and communities come together, children feel valued and motivated to do their best in school. A little support can make a big difference in their future! Let’s continue to walk this journey together, hand in hand. 💙✨ 📷 Source: Tzu Chi USA #TzuChiUSA #MillionFathersMarch #FathersForEducation

When was the last time you spent time with your parents and grandparents? 🏮 During Chinese New Year, Tzu Chi volunteers and Tzu Ching youths visited Wisma Mulia Elderly Nursing Home, not just to deliver gifts, but to share laughter, heartfelt conversations, and small acts of care—just as they would with their own grandparents. 👴👵 From trimming nails and cutting hair to sharing a warm meal and playing games, every moment was filled with joy. 🍲 As Elin sat beside Grandma Syiane, attentively listening to stories from her youth, Grandma Syiane smiled warmly and said, “It feels like talking to my own grandchild.” Laughter echoed through the hall as the elderly joined a ball-tossing game, cheering each other on with youthful enthusiasm. “When was the last time I laughed like this?” Grandma Sinta smiled, her heart full of joy. 💖 As volunteers performed the sign language songs "We Are All in Tzu Chi" and "One Family", the message of love and unity filled the room—reminding everyone that no one is ever truly alone. Before leaving, volunteers presented Chinese New Year gift packages, not just as presents, but as symbols of care and remembrance. 🧧✨ “This visit changed my perspective,” shared Elin, a young volunteer. “I’ve learned to be more grateful and to spread love.” Another volunteer, Dea, reflected, “Now, I truly understand how much our parents and grandparents need us.” Let’s cherish the time we have with our elders. ⏳ A simple visit, a warm meal, or even just holding their hand could mean the world to them. 💞 📷 Photos & Information Source: Tzu Chi Indonesia #TzuChi #ChineseNewYear #FamilyBond #CaringForTheElderly #PowerOfCompanionship

The Seeds of Hope Merit Awards Ceremony, organized by Tzu Chi Singapore, recognizes students who have shown perseverance, dedication, and progress in their academic journey. Held at the Tzu Chi Humanistic Youth Centre on December 22, 2024, the event brought together 63 student beneficiaries and their families to celebrate their achievements. Through awards like Academic Excellence, Diligence, and Filial Piety, the program encourages students to unlock their potential and strive for a brighter future. Tzu Chi Singapore volunteers have been walking alongside these students, offering guidance and encouragement through monthly home visits. "Raising a child is like flying a kite, we cannot pull the string too tightly, nor can we hold it too loosely. As a mother, I must adapt to my child's changing perspectives as he grows," shared Qusyairie Shah's mother on stage, reflecting the balance of love, guidance, and trust in nurturing a child's growth. Education is more than just grades—it's about resilience, effort, and support. With love and care, every child can thrive. 🩵✨ "Use wisdom to guide one's compassion, and one will stay true to the path." ―― Jing Si Aphorisms #SeedsOfHope #InspiringGrowth #EducationForAll #TzuChiSingapore

Water sustains all life, yet it is a resource we often take for granted. Even when it rains, the need for conservation does not disappear. 💧 The Earth's fresh water is limited, and every drop matters. This World Water Day, let’s reflect on our daily habits and cherish water as the precious resource it is—just like gold. Together, we can safeguard it for future generations. 🌍💙 #WorldWaterDay #MasterChengYen #LifeWisdom

In Kapilavastu, Nepal, many children dream of going to school, yet extreme poverty stands in their way. Without basic supplies, many are forced to drop out, their futures uncertain. 🏫 Recognizing this urgent need, Tzu Chi, in collaboration with Right To Access Nepal (RAN), launched the Educational Materials Support Program to ensure that no child is left behind. ✨ Through this initiative, 431 students across five schools received essential school supplies—backpacks, uniforms, shoes, and stationery—along with food aid to help ease their families’ burdens. For these children, these are not just supplies, but a key to unlocking their potential. 🎒 💬 "Many students' parents are farmers and don’t prioritize their children’s education. Children often skip school to help with farm work. These supplies will motivate them. Many students used to come to school barefoot or wearing only slippers. Now, having shoes is a great help to them." – Puja Kurmi, Gautam Buddha Basic School teacher 💙 Education is a gift that lasts a lifetime. It empowers children with knowledge, opens doors to opportunities, and creates a brighter future—not just for them, but for generations to come. 👩🎓 With Master Cheng Yen’s aspiration to give back to the Buddha’s homeland, Tzu Chi strives to ensure that children in Nepal can learn, grow, and build a future filled with possibilities. 💖 #TzuChi #EducationForAll #Nepal #CommonGoodness #BreakTheCycleOfPoverty

❔ How can we create more opportunities for women to thrive? In Nepal, only 28.7% of women participate in the workforce—far behind 53.9% of men (World Bank, 2023). Limited education and financial dependence keep many trapped in poverty. At CSW69, Tzu Chi is sharing real solutions. ✨ Since 2010, we've participated in the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) to show how compassion-driven action empowers women worldwide. This year, delegates from Southeast Asia are bringing stories from India and Nepal, where vocational education and alcohol-related interventions are helping women foster gender equality. 🌟 In Bodh Gaya, India, our "Swapping Alcohol for Tea" campaign and 5 Zero Program—zero rubbish, zero dropout, zero alcoholism, zero meat eating, and zero begging—are helping families rebuild their lives. By replacing alcohol with tea as a symbol of clarity and renewal, the initiative encourages healthier choices and stronger communities. A touching moment came when young girls, once affected by these struggles, took the stage to perform The Profound Gratitude of Parents in sign language. Their smiles reflected newfound confidence and hope, showing the power of education and a supportive environment in transforming lives. 🌟 In Lumbini, Nepal, our sewing program offers more than just skills training—it's a step toward independence. Many women once hesitated to continue learning due to family concerns, but through weekly visits and encouragement, more have returned, earned their first income, and taken charge of their futures. 🌷 Every woman deserves the chance to learn, grow, and succeed. By creating opportunities, we help them take that first step. 💖 At CSW69, Tzu Chi is working with global partners to explore how education and economic empowerment can create lasting change. What more can we do to support women's futures? Share your thoughts below! #TzuChi #CSW69 #EmpowerWomen #genderequality *Photo source: Tzu Chi USA

In Austin, Texas, homelessness is on the rise, with numbers projected to triple by October 2024. Recognizing the urgent need, Tzu Ching volunteers partnered with The Other Ones Foundation to bring warmth and nourishment to those in need. 💖 💡 With limited kitchen space, 25 volunteers got creative—cooking outdoors and preparing 80 vegetarian meals from scratch, including curry, spring rolls, fried rice, and mac and cheese. 🍛 To fund the meal, they also organized a pour-over coffee fundraiser, inspiring more people to contribute. For many, this was their first experience preparing meals for those facing hardship, but through teamwork and dedication, they turned simple ingredients into something much more—a meal made with care, a moment of dignity, and a connection built through kindness. 💙 👨 For Johnny Tran, a Tzu Ching youth volunteer from Vietnam, this experience brought back memories of cooking meals for those in need in his hometown. "Doing this made me feel at home again," he shared, emphasizing the joy of spreading compassion. 💞 👩 Ashita Mutyala also expressed her gratitude, saying, "This is another way for me to give back to society, which is really important to me." ✨ #TzuChi #TzuChing #Texas

At 65, Kuo-Jung Hsieh could be enjoying retirement, but he chooses volunteering—dedicating himself to delivering refurbished assistive equipment to families in need. 👨👨🦽 Growing up with ten siblings in poverty, Hsieh worked tirelessly to improve his family’s circumstances, eventually building a successful career in sales and construction.🏗️ Yet, despite his achievements, he never forgot his roots. In 1999, after witnessing Tzu Chi’s disaster relief efforts, he committed himself to volunteer work, from hospital support to carpentry training for Indigenous youth. ✨ Through home visits, medical outreaches, and equipment deliveries, he witnessed life’s impermanence and the struggles of others. Inspired to give back, he traded luxury for purpose—exchanging his high-end car for a small truck that now carries hospital beds and wheelchairs across Taiwan. 🚚 “To bring smiles to care recipients, I must work even harder!” he says. By repurposing medical equipment, Hsieh not only eases financial burdens but also reduces waste and protects the environment. ♻️ “Tzu Chi is a platform for doing good,” he says. “The more I give, the more invested I become.” 💖 “Giving without expecting anything in return is life’s greatest accomplishment.” ―Jing Si Aphorisms #TzuChi #Volunteerism #CommunityCare #InspiringStory

(2/2) In Kalgoorlie, Western Australia, while many have found wealth from its goldfields, the Indigenous community still struggle to access basic healthcare. With no permanent public dentist, residents in severe pain must travel 600 kilometers to Perth for treatment. 🦷 Seeing this urgent need, Dr. Conway Niu, a TIMA volunteer and pediatrician, teamed up with Dr. Christine Jeffries-Stokes and Indigenous elder Reverend Geoffrey Stokes to set up a free dental clinic—bringing care directly to those who need it most. 🧑⚕️👩⚕️ But setting up a clinic from scratch in a church with no dental equipment was no small feat. TIMA Perth volunteers transported everything—from dental chairs and sterilizers to forceps and anesthesia—meticulously packing, labeling, and driving supplies across vast distances. With determination and teamwork, they transformed the space into a fully functional clinic. 🏥✨ For Tammy, this clinic was life-changing. After avoiding the dentist for 20 years due to past trauma, she finally found relief. 💬 “I can’t believe it—it didn’t hurt at all! Thank you so much. I will tell everyone I know about Tzu Chi!” Krystal had been suffering from severe tooth pain but couldn’t afford the 2,000 AUD private clinic fee. At TIMA’s free clinic, she received the care she desperately needed. Now, she wants to give back. 💬 “If Tzu Chi organizes another free clinic, I would be more than happy to help. I want to support Tzu Chi in building connections with the local community.” 💙 Healthcare should not be a privilege—it should be accessible to all. Through TIMA Australia we witness the volunteers’ commitment to reach the most underserved communities, regardless of distance. 🔹 If you missed Part 1, check out our post on the recent TIMA Global Forum in Brisbane, Australia! #TIMA #TIMA_Australia #Kalgoorlie #MedicalOutreach #TransformingHealthcare #TzuChi