Three months after the Mata’an River overflowed its banks following a powerful typhoon, leaving widespread devastation across Guangfu Township in Hualien County, residents gathered for a Year-End Blessing Ceremony to heal together and look ahead with renewed hope.
Held on December 20, 2025, at the National Guangfu Commercial and Industrial Vocational High School, the ceremony brought together more than 500 residents. For many, the gathering offered a space to ease lingering fear and sorrow, and to rediscover strength through shared prayers and companionship.
The atmosphere was warm and welcoming. In addition to the prayer ceremony, volunteers set up service stations offering free haircuts, second-hand clothing, and Spring Festival couplets, bringing a sense of festive cheer and gentle encouragement as the new year approaches.
Echoes of compassion: personal stories
During the ceremony, attendees watched Tzu Chi’s 2025 Year in Review video, which included scenes from the Mata’an River overflow. As images of flooded homes and difficult moments appeared, many residents were visibly moved. Yet as the video shifted to show the outpouring of support from volunteers and organizations across Taiwan, tears of sorrow gradually turned into tears of gratitude.
One story that deeply resonated was shared by Mrs. Huang. While volunteers were helping clean her home after the flood, they discovered a bag of old 50-cent coins—currency no longer in circulation. Mrs. Huang explained that she and her husband had carefully saved these coins decades ago. The moment reminded volunteers of Tzu Chi’s “Bamboo Bank Era,” when 30 housewives saved 50 cents each day from their grocery money to support charitable work.
Moved by the volunteers’ dedication and the assistance she received, Mrs. Huang joyfully donated the bag of old coins. “When I think about it, tears well up,” she said. “After such a major disaster, Tzu Chi provided financial aid, supplies, and manpower. I am deeply grateful and wish everyone peace and good health. I believe tomorrow will be better.”
Another resident, Mrs. Chu, shared her reflections. On the day the river overflowed, her husband suddenly fell ill and required emergency hospitalization—a circumstance that unintentionally spared them from immediate danger. When she later returned home, she found it stripped down to bare walls. “Not even a door remained,” she recalled.
Despite the hardship, Mrs. Chu spoke with deep affection for Guangfu and described the disaster as a profound “life lesson.” “For me, ‘Tzu’ represents broad-mindedness, and ‘Chi’ represents the power of action,” she said. “Tzu Chi’s warmth knows no borders.”
Unwavering support and community spirit
The ceremony was the result of extensive collaboration and preparation. Tzu Chi volunteer Li-Yun Huang (黃麗雲) shared that to avoid disrupting classes at the school, more than 100 volunteers arrived the day before to set up and rehearse until after 9 p.m., then returned at 6 a.m. the next morning to complete preparations.
She expressed gratitude to local leaders, including Guangfu Township Mayor Ching-Shui Lin (林清水), Deputy Director Chun-Yu Sun (孫春玉) of the Hualien County Government’s Central District Office, and Principal Guang-Lin Yu (余光臨) of Da Sing Elementary School, for their support and participation.
The spirit of service extended well beyond Tzu Chi volunteers. Bo-Hung Chen (陳柏宏), a firefighter with the Hualien County Fire Department’s Guangfu team, shared how deeply he was moved by the collective effort. After days of continuous rescue work, he was scheduled for a rest day. Yet when he saw volunteers arriving by train from across Taiwan, he chose to join the cleanup instead.
“I met volunteers from Taichung who arrived at the disaster area before 5 a.m.,” Chen said. “Their dedication and warmth truly touched me. Even though I could have rested, I wanted to contribute my strength and experience the spirit of selfless service.”
Jing Si Abode monastics also played an important role throughout the recovery, repeatedly visiting the disaster area to offer comfort, distribute supplies, clear mud, and help families reorganize their homes. At the Year-End Blessing, Master De Huai (德懷法師) encouraged everyone to “speak good words, think good thoughts, and do good deeds,” wishing the community peace, clarity, and abundant blessings in the year ahead.
Sustained care for recovery
Tzu Chi’s care for Guangfu continues beyond immediate disaster relief. Ongoing support includes psychological counseling and comprehensive medical services provided by the Tzu Chi International Medical Association (TIMA). Integrated clinics offer a comprehensive range of services, including psychiatry, orthopedics, rehabilitation, dentistry, ophthalmology, traditional Chinese medicine, and aromatherapy.
These free services are available every Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and are scheduled to continue through February 8, 2026, with further assessments planned to ensure the community’s evolving needs are met.
The Year-End Blessing Ceremony became a moment of pause and reflection for Guangfu—an opportunity to gather strength after hardship and to welcome the new year with gratitude and resolve. With continued care and collective effort, the community looks ahead with renewed confidence.
Edited by Yu-Chen Pan (潘俞臻)
