Feng-Ying Peng, Cai-jie You | Türkiye

Documentary volunteer, David Yu's journey captures the resilience and gratitude of refugee students like Omer Kasem and Rahimullah. Through Master Cheng Yen’s teachings, these youths find hope and vow to pay it forward.

Facing Adversity with Gratitude

El Menahil International School graduate Omer Kasem is currently studying Electrical and Electronics Engineering at Fatih Sultan Mehmet Vakif University. One day, while heading to school, he saw David lugging his cameras and equipment and immediately offered to help carry them.

As they walked, David asked him, "Do you have anything you'd like to say to Master Cheng Yen and the Tzu Chi volunteers?" Omer replied, "I am grateful to Tzu Chi for giving us everything, making us feel neither lonely nor helpless. I can’t fully express it because what Tzu Chi has done is something no other organization has." Suddenly, Omer stopped, faced the camera, and sincerely expressed his immense gratitude to Master Cheng Yen, "Since we fled the war, no one cared about us except Master Cheng Yen, who came here to help us. This gratitude must never be forgotten."

The Tzu Chi documentary team uses their cameras to capture the beauty of humanity. Deeply moved by Omer's words, David Yu responded, "Master Cheng Yen hopes that when you grow up, you can reach out to help others." Without hesitation, Omer firmly replied, "We will definitely do that!" Both of them smiled, their belief in helping others already a promise in Omer's heart.

Every chance encounter carries deeply touching stories. However, documenting these stories of kindness and warmth is not a one-time effort; it requires ongoing companionship and care. David Yu recalled how he began using Master Cheng Yen’s aphorisms to accompany Afghan refugees five years ago.

Along the way, not only through video calls but also during the COVID-19 pandemic, Rahim shared Jing Si Aphorisms with those he met in the refugee camps, with children, and with refugee friends from different countries. | Photo courtesy of David Yu

He followed a group of Syrian refugees who were smuggling themselves into Europe and met Afghan brothers Rahimullah and Zulmay, and their fellow 16-year-old Afghan refugee Jawad, who had lost two brothers while fleeing.

When Türkiye’s refugee policy shifted from open to restrictive, strictly targeting undocumented refugees, 17-year-old Rahim squeezed onto a rubber boat to escape to Greece. Despite having no experience, he steered the boat, protecting the lives of everyone on board.

Tzu Chi volunteers from Türkiye crossed the sea to the refugee camp on Lesbos, Greece, providing care and positive energy through Master Cheng Yen’s Jing Si aphorisms for over a month. Rahim was deeply moved when he saw the aphorism, "Be grateful when facing adversity; it is a rare opportunity."

During online video calls, Rahim finally smiled and shared photos, telling volunteers that he kept a notebook of all the people who had helped him along the way, with a special thank-you note dedicated to Tzu Chi. In it, he wrote, "I heard Tzu Chi helped many Syrians in Türkiye. I will never forget that Tzu Chi volunteers also came to the Lesbos camp to assist us Afghan refugees. Words cannot express my gratitude. I love Tzu Chi and will never forget you."

Even in such harsh conditions, Rahim carried Jing Si Aphorisms in his backpack alongside essential items. David was moved, saying, "We continue to share Tzu Chi’s stories from around the world online. Not only through video calls but also through the care provided during the COVID-19 pandemic, Rahim shared the aphorisms with people he met in the camp, including children and refugees from different countries."

David Yu (center) visited Jawad (left) in Porto, Portugal, sharing the Jing Si Aphorisms, "Be grateful when facing adversity; it is a rare opportunity." | Photo courtesy of David Yu

In March 2023, David Yu traveled to France to see Rahim, who was diligently studying and aspiring to become a Tzu Chi volunteer. While discussing Tzu Chi’s relief efforts in Türkiye, a group of second-generation Turkish youth in France overheard and were deeply moved. They said, "Wow! We haven't returned to our homeland, Türkiye, but Tzu Chi came from Taiwan and all over the world to help Turkish disaster survivors."

In April, David visited Rahim's younger brother Zulmay in Germany, encouraging him to study hard and sharing Master Cheng Yen’s Jing Si aphorisms. He reminded Zulmay not to forget his initial purpose and why he risked his life to cross nearly ten countries to reach Europe. On November 19, David had the chance to visit Jawad in Porto, Portugal, and share the aphorisms with him as well. Coincidentally, Jawad picked "Be grateful when facing adversity; it is a rare opportunity." The positive energy arrived just at the right time.