In the hills and villages surrounding Chiang Mai, Northern Thailand, many elderly and vulnerable residents live alone, often with little family support or resources. Recognizing these challenges, students and teachers from the Tzu Chi Senior High School Affiliated with Tzu Chi University traveled from Taiwan to participate in an international volunteer and cultural exchange program. Their mission: to offer companionship, care, and practical support to those who are often overlooked, while learning firsthand about empathy and gratitude.
A Day Devoted to Care and Connection
On July 6, the fifth day of their journey, the group’s main activity was visiting and caring for local residents in need. These visits are usually carried out by teachers from Chiangmai Tzu Chi School, many of whom are also certified Tzu Chi Commissioners. For this special day, the students joined in, eager to learn and serve.
The group split into four teams, each following a different route to visit care recipients, including elderly individuals living alone, local mosques, and a veterans’ home. Before setting out, teachers carefully reviewed the supplies to be distributed, ensuring nothing would be missed.
A Familiar Face, A Lasting Impression
For Guan-Lin Wu (吳冠霖), a student returning for his second year, the day brought a touching reunion. As his group entered a modest farmhouse, he recognized the elderly woman inside—someone he had visited the previous year. To his surprise, she remembered him as well. The house was dim and damp, and the woman, frail and soft-spoken, lived alone with little support. Despite her circumstances, she greeted the group with a smile and expressed her gratitude for their visit.
LEFT: Students share their observations and feelings after the visits. Guan-Lin Wu (first left) says with concern, “Grandma is so thin, I hope she can eat more…” | Photo: Ya-Chi Chen RIGHT: Student Zeng-Ju Hong (洪增桔) hugs the elderly woman, who says, “Zeng-Ju Hong reminds me of my late son.” The embrace brings warmth to her lonely heart. | Photo: Szu-Huan Wu (吳思寰)
Before leaving, the students gathered around her, offering blessings and listening to her stories. As they departed, she shook hands with each visitor, wishing them health and safety. On the way out, the group encountered two young women bringing food for her, a reminder that even in solitude, small acts of kindness from neighbors can make a difference.
Reflecting on the visit, Guan-Lin Wu was moved to tears. “Last year, I didn’t feel much, but this time, when grandma said she remembered me, I felt both ashamed and touched. I realized how important these visits are. When I return to Taiwan, I want to visit my own grandparents more often.”
Games and Smiles at the Mosque
Another group visited two mosques, where they were welcomed by children in traditional Muslim attire. At first, the children were shy, but the students quickly broke the ice with games like “Little Bees” and “Cops and Robbers.” These activities helped everyone relax and connect, and even included learning phonetic symbols in a playful way.
During a break, the children lined up for snacks and drinks, and the older students collected and cleaned the bottles for recycling. The visit ended with everyone singing and dancing to “Children of the Earth,” leaving the children smiling and more at ease.
Vice Principal Qing-Mei Ma (馬慶美) expressed her gratitude for the support, noting that many of the boarding students are orphans. She thanked the students for bringing joy and companionship. Student council president Song-Bin Zhang (張宋斌), who grew up in the village, shared that he used to avoid playing with the children, thinking they were mischievous. “Today, I saw how cooperative and friendly they can be. I’m happy and my perspective has changed.”
Caring for the Elderly and Learning from Their Stories
At the Hot Spring Veterans’ Home, students sang songs and gave massages to elderly residents, many of whom are from the Wa ethnic group. The atmosphere was lively, with music and laughter filling the corridors. The students also brought local treats and offered blessings for good health and longevity.
LEFT: Chairman Guang-Liang Zhu (朱光亮) (front right) leads a tour of the mosque and explains the “Five Pillars” of Islam. He hopes the students will visit again to foster more exchanges. RIGHT: In the dim corridor of the Hot Spring Veterans’ Home, students sing “Sweet Honey” as a Wa ethnic grandfather dances with joy. Students give massages and gifts, bringing laughter and comfort. | Photos: Pei-Ling Lu (呂佩玲)
Student Ze-En Zhou (周澤恩) reflected, “In these elders, I see both the passage of time and the enduring power of kindness and love. I hope to bring more of that into the world.”
Other visits included meeting an uncle who had lost his hearing and mobility due to illness and accident, and another who could only eat once a day because he needed help with basic tasks. Student Zeng-Ju Hong (洪增桔) offered him milk, a simple act that brought a smile to his face.
LEFT: Hearing the uncle’s story, Zeng-Ju Hong quickly offers him milk to quench his thirst—a small gesture that brings great comfort. RIGHT: The uncle, after a bicycle accident, suffers from deformed hands and joints, making daily life difficult. He can only eat one meal a day when someone is available to help him. | Photos: Szu-Huan Wu
Lessons in Gratitude and Compassion
Through these visits, the students gained a deeper appreciation for their own lives and a renewed commitment to caring for others. They learned that even small gestures—listening, offering a hug, or sharing a meal—can bring comfort and hope to those who need it most.
As they returned from their journey, the students carried with them not only memories of the people they met, but also a greater understanding of the importance of gratitude, empathy, and giving back.
Written by Yi-Xin Yeh (葉宜鑫), Ya-Chi Chen (陳亞琪), Wen-Ying Chung (鍾文英), Szu-Huan Wu (吳思寰), Yi-Chen Liao (廖逸貞)
Source: 慈中師生泰北訪視關懷 以愛擁抱孤苦人生
