In 2022, Ali, a young Syrian refugee in Turkiye, said: “I want to be a Tzu Chi volunteer to give back to society and become a benefactor in other people's lives.” In 2023, after the devastating earthquake in Türkiye and Syria, Ali realized his promise.

Planting Seeds of Love

After the Syrian civil war broke out in 2011, millions of Syrians fled to other countries and many children were forced to drop out of school.

Master Cheng Yen, founder of Tzu Chi, said that education could not wait. Tzu Chi reached out to help Syrian refugee children let go of hatred in their hearts and plant seeds of love instead. Volunteers in Turkiye overcame countless challenges to eventually established El Menahil International School in Istanbul.

Studying at El Menahil has changed the lives of these children. Thanks to what the children are learning there, they will become good role models for their younger peers when they grow up.

Wanting to be a Benefactor

When Ali was 12, he and his family fled from Syria to Türkiye. Instead of going to school, he became the breadwinner of his family. Every day he had to work 12 hours and was only allowed 13 minutes of rest per day.

In early 2015, the El Menahil School opened in Istanbul, and Ali, then 13, came to class.

In 2017, Ali's family moved to Gaziantep province in Türkiye, on the Turkish-Syrian border. It is about 1,200 kilometers from Sultangazi, Istanbul, the location of the school. Though they have moved far away, Tzu Chi volunteer David Yu still travels there to visit Ali's family from time to time.

On August 10, 2022, Ali recorded a video for Master Cheng Yen, in which he said: “Dear Venerable Grand Master, I am Ali who studied in El Menahil before.” When David asked Ali what he wanted to be in the future, he replied: “You have asked this question before. My answer is the same. I want to be a Tzu Chi volunteer, to give back to the society and become a benefactor in other people.”

On August 10, 2022, from Sultangazi, Istanbul, David drove 1200 km to visit Ali in Gazitantep. (Photo by David Yu)

Realizing His Promise

In February 2023, just after the Tzu Chi disaster relief team started work in the earthquake-hit areas, they paid a special visit to an old friend, Ali, in the city of Gaziantep. Fortunately, Ali’s family was safe from the earthquake, and he decided to realize his aspirations by becoming a volunteer in a charitable organization. He could now be seen among the volunteers helping with the relief work.

When he saw the Tzu Chi volunteers arrive, Ali’s face lit up with a smile, and he immediately felt comforted after the fright he experienced during the strong earthquake. “It was a big surprise to see you coming over, and it makes me incredibly happy inside,” said Ali.

It has been six months since they last met. David Yu (left) and Ali (right) warmly greeted each other with enthusiasm. (Image from Da Ai TV; 2023/02)

After not seeing each other for 6 months, Tzu Chi volunteer David Yu praised Ali: "He is really mature. Every time we talk about something, he always brings up how kind and compassionate Tzu Chi volunteers are. He is one of the children who grew up in Tzu Chi."

Ali described his situation in the organization -- at first, he did not have much to contribute as a volunteer. It reminded him of the time when he told David in Istanbul that he hoped to become a Tzu Chi volunteer one day. So, when Ali started volunteering for the organization, he was fulfilling his dream. For that reason, he felt very grateful.

Tzu Chi volunteer David Yu (left) praised Ali (right) for being truly mature and one of the children who grew up in Tzu Chi. (Image from Da Ai TV; 2023/02)

Tzu Chi's Great Love

From a child worker with a face filled with sadness and despair to a grateful young man, Tzu Chi volunteers in Türkiye have accompanied him with love for nearly 10 years, witnessing the transformative power of education on his life and the great love of Tzu Chi.

The love of Tzu Chi volunteers transcends religious barriers, leaving a deep impression on this group of Syrian children in El Menahil. This love multiplies and creates immeasurable blessings. We believe that every child who graduates from El Menahil carries a seed of love, which will take root and shine with hope, wherever they go in the future. Ali is the best testimony to this.

A Jing Si Aphorism says: “Only love and gratitude can cleanse the afflictions in our hearts.”

Story by Meichen Liao

Sources: Da Ai TV news 20230221; Report from David Yu in 20221025 in Pingtung.