The Syrian volunteers from Türkiye presented this drawing to Master Cheng Yen. (From right to left: Master Cheng Yen, Faisal Hu, Basel Halil, and Hani Aldib) |Photo provided by Tzu Chi Foundation | Xin Dian Jing Si Hall, Taipei, Taiwan | 2023/12/17

In 2023, two Syrian volunteers from Türkiye, Basel Khalil and Hani Aldib, who were once recipients of assistance from Tzu Chi, were actively involved as volunteers with Tzu Chi Türkiye. They have participated in international relief efforts and are excited about their upcoming certification in Taiwan. They express a strong desire to bring back the spirit of sacrifice and dedication demonstrated by Tzu Chi volunteers to Türkiye and aim to inspire and influence more people in their community.

Charcoal Drawing

On December 17, 2023, they shared touching stories during a heartwarming gathering with Master Cheng Yen in Xin Dian Jing St Hall in Taipei. One of the stories revolves around a charcoal drawing.

Hani Aldib (up left) held the drawing while Basil Halil (up right) told Master Cheng Yen its story. The drawing has a Chinese sentence that says: Love will overcome all obstacles. | Photo provided by Tzu Chi Foundation | Xin Dian Jing Si Hall, Taipei, Taiwan | 2023/12/17

On the receipts for the supplies distributed in Türkiye after the earthquake in February 2023 was an image depicting someone holding a blanket. A student, with great care, drew this picture with charcoal. Seizing the opportunity during their visit to Taiwan, the Syrian volunteers from Türkiye presented this drawing to Master Cheng Yen.

Basil Halil said: “I shall talk about this drawing we’ve brought. We placed a picture on the receipts we issued, hoping to bring warmth to the blanket recipients. A student then created this drawing based on the picture. We’ve seen how love can achieve anything.”

Master Cheng Yen praised the people of this Islamic nation for understanding Buddhist teachings so precisely. It shows that love is universal and that there is little difference between faiths. Compassion for all beings is a universal human value. Once again it highlights the harmony between Muslim and Buddhist cultures and brings light to the world together.

Master Cheng Yen said: "It is very heartwarming to see the drawing that depicts a blanket held in both hands. This shows how love knows no borders. I truly hope we can inspire goodness in people around the world, as only the force of goodness can expel unwholesome energy and clear the sky. Clad in blue-and-white, our volunteers have worked to create auspicious energy and foster peace and harmony.”

Basel Khalil – Giving without Expectations

After coming to Taiwan, Basel Khalil took part in training classes and truly came to understand the spirit of Tzu Chi, before he became a certified volunteer.

Basel Khalil (far left) overseeing the distribution in the earthquake-stricken area of Türkiye, ready to offer help at any moment. | Photo by Abdulrahman Hritani | Türkiye | 2023/03/22

Basel Khalil said: "The most important thing is that seeing is believing, and now I have personally witnessed it. It's like walking on the sea, where we are on the boat, and we only see the scenery on the boat and the sea surface, but we cannot see the scenery under water. However, when we dive below the sea surface, we see many different things below. It is just like how I came to learn about all things I didn't know before."

Tzu Chi volunteer, Faisal Hu, shared his experience: "I went everywhere to find children (on the streets of Türkiye), checking if any were homeless. I asked them why they weren't going to school, and they replied, 'We don't have money.' We followed them back to see their father, only to discover that he was paralyzed."

For many years, Faisal Hu has been assisting Syrian refugees at Tzu Chi’s El Menahil International School in Istanbul, Türkiye; Basel is one of those refugees. Later, Basel became a staff member, serving as the IT director of Tzu Chi Türkiye. Using his expertise, he designed the "No Waiting System," which has significantly reduced the waiting time for those receiving aid.

Basel emphasized, "The most important thing is that I learned how to give, how to give without expecting anything in return."

Hani Aldib - Empathy and Change of Perspective

Like Basel, Hani Aldib, has experience of relief projects in Poland and Türkiye; he works in the Tzu Chi Türkiye's accounting department. He had also been waiting eagerly to become certified. His greatest desire is to bring back the spirit of dedication from the Tzu Chi family to Türkiye.

In March, during the relief distribution in the earthquake-stricken area of Türkiye, Hani Aldib (right) made preparations in the cold and windy weather. | Photo by Fei-Fei Lin| Türkiye | 2023/03/06

Hani said: "Nothing comes easy, and there is always sacrifice involved, whether it's sacrificing your time to do more for the benefit of others." He continued: "During Tzu Chi's first distribution in Sultan Gazi, blankets were distributed. At that time, I learnt about empathy and understood the feelings of those who received help. When I joined the Tzu Chi team in Poland, I told the Ukrainian volunteers that I, too, was once a refugee in need of help like them. However, one day, they could also stand up and help others."

Great Love Knows No Boundaries

International relief efforts best exemplify bridging cultural and racial barriers with love and passing down the spirit of Tzu Chi.

Faisal Hu shared in a talk: " The theme is 'Great Love Reflects the New Moon,' and the new moon has some Islamic symbolism. So great love aligns with the spirit of Tzu Chi – love transcends all borders, races and faiths. We should frequently spread the seeds of love to everyone, and, in doing so, one day, we will see a vast forest."

Volunteers joyfully shoulder the responsibility, walking the path of Tzu Chi's Bodhisattva path to help the vulnerable, cultivating blessings and wisdom. They influence millions of people.