By Fernanda Wu, Hsiu-lien Chu | South America
"In a true society, no one is disposable, and no life is redundant." With this belief, during World War I, Father Don Orione founded the charitable asylum, using a mansion left behind by Italian Countess Teresa Agazzini after her passing, to care for the poor elderly.
Concert at the Care Home for the Disabled
Father Don Orione went on to establish numerous non-profit charitable organizations, offering refuge to those in need. These were called "Pequeño Cottolengo," inspired by an 18th-century Roman Catholic saint whose name is synonymous with grand charitable work. From Europe, Pequeño Cottolengo has spread worldwide, with over thirty countries now hosting these care homess
The Pequeño Cottolengo in Chile, with a history of over fifty years, specializes in caring for society's most vulnerable—those with severe intellectual disabilities or mental illnesses, most of whom have been abandoned.
LEFT: Residents of Pequeño Cottolengo in Chile quietly enter the venue, eagerly awaiting the start of this rare concert. RIGHT: Pequeño Cottolengo in Chile cares for children, teenagers, adults, and the elderly, offering these "angels with broken wings" the best rehabilitation and a safe home. | Photos courtesy of Chin-Chiu Liao | Chile | 2024/01/04
The Chilean Pequeño Cottolengo cares for children, adolescents, adults, and the elderly, offering these "angels with broken wings" the best rehabilitation therapy and a home where they can live out their lives in peace.
Music Fills the Air at the Care Home
LEFT: Mr. Alvaro, Executive Secretary of the Cerrillos District Cultural Center (center), who facilitated the concert, expresses gratitude to Tzu Chi for their sponsorship, ensuring the event's success. | Photos courtesy of Chin-Chiu Liao | Chile | 2024/01/04 RIGHT: On January 4, 2024, a piano and clarinet concert was held at the Pequeño Cottolengo care home.
To enhance the residents' quality of life and participation in community activities, Mr. Alvaro, the Executive Secretary of the Cultural Center in the Cerrillos district, invited Hefestos Engineering and Services Company and Tzu Chi Foundation to co-sponsor a piano and clarinet concert. The event was scheduled for 4:00 PM on January 4, 2024, right after the New Year, at the care home itself.
Outstanding Musicians Give Back to the Community
LEFT: Tzu Chi volunteer Fernanda Wu (right) chats warmly with an elderly resident dressed for the occasion. RIGHT: Teacher Xin-e Yang (right) from the Chinese School also came to show her care. | Photos courtesy of | Photos courtesy of Chin-Chiu Liao | Chile | 2024/01/04
Four Tzu Chi volunteers in Chile attended this musical feast, where they saw faces filled with anticipation and joy. As the residents gradually entered the venue, everyone quietly awaited the start of this rare concert.
Performing at the concert were David the clarinetist, who grew up in Cerrillos and now lives in the United States, and Chilean pianist, Luis. Together, they presented a remarkable concert featuring works by Chopin, De Rivera, and others. Their performance last year had been so well received that they were invited back for this encore.
LEFT: Executive Director Cristian (right) introduces clarinetist David and pianist Luis, the musicians performing at the concert. RIGHT: The two musicians expressed their unique spirits—Luis’s (left) piano playing was both beautiful and moving, while David’s (right) clarinet performance captivated everyone. | Photos courtesy of Chin-Chiu Liao | Chile | 2024/01/04
After a welcome speech by Cristian, the Executive Director of the care home, the concert began. Luis’s piano playing was both beautiful and moving, while David’s clarinet performance captivated everyone. Their natural and fluid execution, combined with masterful control, earned enthusiastic applause after each piece.
Luis and David have performed in Rome, across Europe, South America, and many other parts of the world. As a native of Cerrillos, David is especially happy to give back to his hometown.
Tzu Chi's Sponsorship Creates a Wonderful Day
Before the concert concluded, Secretary Alvaro, on behalf of Mayor Lorena, who could not attend due to official duties, expressed gratitude to Luis and David for their heartfelt contributions. He continued, "We hope cultural activities will reach every corner of the Cerrillos district. Pequeño Cottolengo is one of our most cherished institutions. And let's also give a round of applause to Tzu Chi Foundation from Taiwan for their sponsorship and collaboration."
After the event, Claudia, an administrative staff member from the Cultural Center, expressed her thanks to the volunteers, "Thank you to the Tzu Chi Chile. This concert was made possible because of your support. We are deeply grateful for such a beautiful concert in the Cerrillos district, which made this a memorable day for everyone at the care home."
After the concert, Fernanda Wu shared with pianist Luis about Tzu Chi's charitable activities in Chile: "We donate supplies to underprivileged families in each district, assist schools, and work with the local government to help those truly in need." Touched, Luis responded, "Thank you to the Tzu Chi Foundation for making this concert possible and for sharing it with everyone. Music is food for the soul. I hope you will continue to support artists’ work, bringing joy and peace to those in need. Thank you."
For these pure-hearted angels with broken wings, their lives are limited to the confines of the care home. But within these walls, they are cared for, their lives secure until their final days. The Tzu Chi volunteers in Chile have formed a loving bond with them and will continue to care for them, bringing more beautiful days to their lives.
