In May 2024, the sudden passing of Balmanti Devi’s husband left her and her three young children in a world of darkness. "She was weeping uncontrollably, completely unable to accept it," recalled Tzu Chi volunteer Mee Chwong Chin (陳美聰). At the time, Balmanti’s heart was shattered. For many months, volunteers provided not just monthly food aid, but a steady emotional anchor.

Through gentle words and constant companionship, the burden of grief began to lift. With the stability of aid and a newfound sense of resilience, Balmanti has transformed from a grieving widow into a woman who greets others with a warm smile and a grateful embrace.

Collaborative care for the vulnerable

On March 14, 2026, three staff members from the Jarul Trust—Amit Jain, Ankita Jain, and Renu Bhardwaj—joined Tzu Chi volunteers Mee Chwong Chin, Lee-Peng Koh (高麗萍), Pai-Chiu Tsai (蔡白球), and Tzu-Hsien Wu (吳姿賢), along with local volunteer Saurav Kumar, to visit several families in Bodh Gaya.

The Jarul Trust is a non-governmental organization founded under the Red Kangaroo Association, established by Australian Buddhist nuns Venerable Xin Ming and Venerable Xin Hai. Based in Sarnath, the trust focuses on education for rural children, particularly girls, aiming to foster moral judgment, humility, and compassion. Following an exchange of ideas at the Tzu Chi office, the two organizations teamed up to visit the families Tzu Chi serves.

Seeking a safer path

As the group arrived in Mocharim village, Balmanti rushed forward to hug the volunteers. She led them through narrow alleys where neighbors tended to livestock and children played with makeshift toys, reminiscent of a simpler time.

While Balmanti had previously been referred to work at a restaurant, she explained she had to stop two months ago. Because the restaurant was far from her home, she had to walk a long distance at night and was twice chased by strangers. The cost of a tuk-tuk was too high for her modest wages. Now, she works as a farm laborer for neighbors, earning about 200 rupees a day—but only when there is work available.

The struggle is visible in her home, which is clean but nearly empty, save for a few of her children's schoolbooks. Her youngest child, a four-year-old boy, clung to her silently. Balmanti shared the heartache of her previous job’s long hours: "I had to leave at 6:30 a.m. and didn't get back until 7:30 p.m. My children would be so hungry waiting for me that they would simply fall asleep on empty stomachs."

Despite her poverty, Balmanti maintains a sense of dignity. "It doesn’t feel good to live on the charity of others," she said. "A person should stand up on their own two feet." When Saurav asked if she knew how to sew, her eyes lit up. She confidently explained that she knew how to thread needles and even repair the machines. A sewing machine at home would allow her to earn a living while staying safe and caring for her children.

A struggle for health and hunger

The team also visited Dilip Ravidas in the Bakraur Bazaar area. Dilip, 48, suffers from kidney failure and requires regular dialysis. He manages a small snack shop lent to him by a relative. Despite his illness, he met the volunteers with high spirits.

Upstairs in his cramped living quarters, a simple meal of Indian flatbread and a small bowl of pickles was being prepared. For Dilip, Tzu Chi’s assistance has been a lifeline.

At first, I observed them for a long time. I didn't know what they were doing. Then a volunteer approached me and asked how they could help. I told them the transportation costs to the hospital for dialysis were a heavy burden.— Dilip Ravidas, Care Recipient

Since then, the family has received flour, rice, and daily necessities. "Now, even if we have fewer side dishes, we have enough flour and rice for the whole family to eat their fill," Dilip said. "To us, that is the greatest blessing."

As the volunteers left, they purchased snacks from his shop to share with their driver and friends—a small gesture of support for his livelihood.

Facing a double blow

The final visit took the group to the home of 37-year-old Sunita Devi in the Bakrour colony. Sunita’s life has been defined by tragedy; her husband died of AIDS after she spent all their savings on his treatment. Tragically, while caring for him, Sunita also contracted the virus.

Now unable to work, she relies entirely on Tzu Chi for food. "Without Tzu Chi, I might not be able to survive," she shared.

Amit Jain, moved by the experience, reflected on the hardship these women face. "Her life has no security. I feel so sad and unsettled—why does fate arrange things this way?" he said. "If you only observe from a distance, you can't truly understand. But when you walk into their homes and talk to them, the tears really do come."

These home visits serve as a reminder that beyond the distribution of goods, it is the consistent presence and empathy of others that provide the strength to carry on.

Written by Pai-Chiu Tsai (蔡白球)