Hsiu-lin Wu, Lamiya Lin | Jordan
On sheets of white paper, Syrian refugee children at Tzu Xin House drew big hearts, writing "Peace," "Blessings," and "Stay Strong, Taiwan" inside. They held these signs with reverence, their clear eyes full of good intentions, sending their heartfelt wishes across the desert to Hualien.
The 7.4 magnitude earthquake that struck Hualien on April 3 shocked the world. Even far away in Jordan, Tzu Chi volunteers were deeply concerned, thinking of the global Tzu Chi family and their spiritual home in Hualien.
Love at Tzu Xin House Knows No Boundaries
On April 3, Jordanian volunteers, Tzu Chi International Medical Association (TIMA) members, and Syrian refugees, under the guidance of Chiou-hwa Chen, CEO of Tzu Chi Jordan, expressed their condolences and blessings to the people of Hualien, hoping for a swift recovery and smooth rebuilding process.
At Tzu Xin House, mothers and children quickly mobilized, responding to the volunteers' call via video. These Syrian single mothers, their children, and elderly people, who had fled to Jordan due to the civil war, have grown strong over the years with the care and support from Tzu Chi volunteers, receiving aid for rent, medical care, education, and training.
When they learned about the severe earthquake in Hualien, the birthplace of Tzu Chi founded by Master Cheng Yen, they were equally anxious. On that day, everyone at Tzu Xin House gathered to pray sincerely for Hualien. Regardless of age, they prayed with utmost respect, transcending religious differences, as Muslims offering their most heartfelt blessings to Hualien, hoping to alleviate the disaster and end suffering.
Giving with Love During Ramadan
Ramadan is a month of spiritual and physical discipline, fasting from sunrise to sunset to cultivate empathy and compassion, and to strengthen willpower. It also helps people understand the thirst of desert travelers and the hunger of the impoverished. Every year, during Ramadan, volunteers organize multiple aid distributions. This time, on April 5 and 6, the teams visited Ramtha, Amman's Airport Road area, and Amman Nazal, providing essential items to Syrian refugees and local care recipients, packing the large eco-friendly bags with supplies and love.
Before the distribution, volunteer Doris Kaur explained the severe impact of the Hualien earthquake to the recipients, which deeply concerned the care recipients who had formed a close connection with Tzu Chi volunteers. Grateful for the support they had received, they generously donated their love, dropping their contributions into bamboo banks. Each donation became part of a stream of love flowing back to Hualien.
On April 24, the fundraising continued, with Tzu Chi Jordan launching a relay of love on social media. Messages poured in, with staff, volunteers, and TIMA doctors joining the cause, collectively raising 871 Jordanian dinars (approximately 1,230 USD).
At the end of April, when Chiou-hwa Chen returned to Taiwan to attend Tzu Chi's 58th anniversary event, he brought the collected funds directly to Hualien. This love from the Jordanian desert, transcending religious, national, and racial boundaries, is a precious force aimed at stabilizing the disaster-stricken area and helping the people of Hualien rebuild their lives step by step.