Bedfordview’s Tzu Chi Foundation hosts second Volunteer Day
Tzu Chi Foundation is encouraging more participants to join their Volunteer Day to make a difference in the lives of those who are in need.
held its second volunteer day on April 15.
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Spreading love and making the world a better place is the cornerstone of the volunteer day programme.
The foundation hosts the programme, which started in March, on the third Saturday of each month.
This event is open to the public and all are welcome to learn about the foundation’s work.
The participants get to partake in a wholesome vegetarian lunch based on the foundation’s principle of a healthy diet based on more vegetables.
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Some activities are based at the Jing Si Hall on Riley Road and a team goes to the Exercise Room in Tembisa with a limited number of participants.
Tzu Chi established a project where they created an Exercise Room in the Tembisa area of Johannesburg.
The purpose of this exercise room is to help stroke and injured patients recover and rehabilitate through simple exercise routines.
The project leader for the programme, Eric Huang, said they have 20 volunteers and 20 patients.
“The Tzu Chi model works well with the support of healthcare professionals training the volunteers in simple techniques that ensure the safety of the patients and notable incremental improvement.
“The unique aspect of this exercise room is that it is underpinned by the principles of the Ubuntu culture.
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“The patients and volunteers feel like they are part of one big family, helping each other and creating a harmonious atmosphere.
“We constantly encourage patients to not only work hard on their exercise but also to continuously help others,” said Huang.
During the the April Volunteer Day, participants were taught how to make greeting cards for Mother’s Day by Carol Payne, who is also a Ward 20 committee member.
The special Iris folding technique was a firm favourite with children and adults alike.
The second class, facilitated by the Tzu Chi team, taught the participants how to make dumplings.
“It was great fun learning a new skill. The best part was we got to savour the dumplings we made as part of the delicious vegetarian lunch. I now have a newfound respect for dumplings,” said volunteer Mona Naidoo.
The next volunteer day will be on May 20 with registration at 08:30 and ending at 15:00.
The programme for this day will include a choice of visiting the exercise room in Tembisa or doing two activities at Jing Si Hall.
Attendees will get to decide between learning to make squeeze balls that will later be used by the patients in Tembisa and the adults will experience a traditional tea ceremony while the children will have the opportunity to make special tea biscuits.
Participants are required to reserve a space by contacting Linda on 079 881 7412 or by e-mail:
admin@tzuchi.org.za
