On November 27, the Taiwan branch of Japanese company IRIS OHYAMA partnered with Tzu Chi Foundation to donate 176 LED desk lights as gifts for families moving into the Great Love Residential Complex, following the April 3, 2024, Hualien Earthquake in Taiwan.
A partnership for rebuilding lives
Sho Yamamoto (山本翔), General Manager of IRIS OHYAMA Taiwan, and Po-Wen Yen (顏博文), CEO of Tzu Chi Foundation, signed a memorandum of understanding to provide both tangible aid and emotional support to Hualien’s earthquake survivors.
“Tzu Chi’s partnerships with enterprises help extend the reach and impact of goodness,” said CEO Yen. He emphasized that corporate involvement not only improves the efficiency and quality of assistance but also allows survivors to feel the care of the wider community.
Manager Yamamoto shared a similar view, noting that the collaboration aims to bring peace of mind and hope. “Reconstruction is not just about repairing infrastructure, but also about rebuilding lives and spirits,” he said.
The gift of light and thoughtful design
The donated LED desk lights are more than just sources of illumination. Designed with user comfort and safety in mind, they feature four brightness levels and wireless charging capabilities. Manager Yamamoto highlighted that the lamps’ simple design specifically considers the needs of the elderly and children, reflecting the company’s commitment to human-centered care and environmental sustainability.
This partnership builds on a foundation of trust established in 2024, when IRIS OHYAMA introduced commercial cleaning robots to Tzu Chi's Jing Si Halls, demonstrating the principle of “technology assisting humanity.”
A shared vision for disaster relief
IRIS OHYAMA’s commitment to disaster relief is rooted in its own experience: the company’s headquarters in Miyagi Prefecture, Sendai, Japan, suffered significant damage during the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami. This experience has guided their long-term involvement in disaster support and the development of disaster-prevention products. Manager Yamamoto noted that IRIS OHYAMA sells emergency instant rice with a five-year shelf life in Taiwan and plans to introduce disaster preparedness backpacks in 2025.
He emphasized that the collaboration with Tzu Chi goes beyond material donations, representing a shared commitment to disaster response, social care, and environmental sustainability.
Creating safe havens
The lamps will brighten the Great Love Residential Complex, a key project by Tzu Chi in partnership with the Hualien County Government. These interim permanent homes, located in the main commercial area of Hualien City, provide convenient transportation and comprehensive living facilities. The five-story, earthquake-resistant buildings contain 144 units—112 single-room studios and 32 two-room apartments—each fully equipped with a kitchen, bathroom, furniture, and appliances. The inauguration ceremony was held on November 15.
“Every lamp is a blessing; every collaboration is a hope,” said CEO Yen. “Thanks to IRIS OHYAMA’s generosity and trust, we can work together to create a more dignified living environment for Hualien disaster survivors.”
As survivors gradually rebuild their lives, these lamps will serve as a reminder of the care and support extended to them, guiding them toward a brighter future.
Written by Fu-Chiang Yen (顏福江)
Source: 日商攜手慈濟震災安居計畫 176盞檯燈照亮災民新生活
