Local foundation remains a gift that keeps giving
The Buddhist charity organisation, founded by master Cheng Yen, has about 10 million volunteer members around the world.
After officially opening its headquarters in November last year, Tzu Chi Foundation has remained steadfast in providing humanitarian relief across the globe.
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They have been operating in South Africa for 30 years, with its head office, Jing Si Hall in Bedfordview.
The foundation has been instrumental in assisting impoverished communities and leading rescue efforts for those in need.
Every year, they select some schools and households locally to gift food parcels.
In Primrose, 2 000 households benefit from this initiative and 10 schools in Thembisa where 100 learners at each school are selected for the programme.
During the Covid-19 pandemic, the organisation assisted with food parcels and medical support to remote areas collaborating with 157 NPOs.
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Reaching 65 800 households, they expanded the initiative to 10 cities across the country.
Recently, they lent a helping hand to the Türkiye-Syria earthquake that left many without homes and shelter.
The foundation’s CEO, Tim Huang, said they had a branch in Türkiye since 1999.
“To assist people left homeless by the earthquake, the Türkiye branch prepared gift cards that recipients could use to buy food and non-food items according to their own needs benefitting 1 000 families.
A shipment with 8 148 extra thick eco blankets made from 100% recycled PET bottles has arrived in Türkiye from their global headquarters to assist survivors in freezing winter conditions.
This is in addition to the first batch of 10 000 blankets purchased from a local manufacturer.
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The foundation has also partnered with Türkiye Trade Office in Taipei to collect in-kind donations of new and unused necessities, including winter clothing, tents, sleeping pads, blankets, thermos bottles and hygiene articles,” he explained.
They also pride themselves on community empowerment through skills development.
On March 18, they hosted their volunteer day with team members doing outreach work in Thembisa with cerebral palsy and stroke patients.
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They taught another group of volunteers handcrafts.
“We have an exercise room in Thembisa where the community gets taught about exercising and eating right.
“These classes are usually facilitated by a physiotherapist once or twice a month.
“We also focus on the environment for recovery,” he said.
Volunteer day happens monthly and to join the requirement is ‘having a good heart’.
For information, contact 011 450 2256 or 079 881 7412 or email admin@tzuchi.org.za
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