As December arrives, Nepal enters its coldest period, a challenging time for families living in poverty. Many homes offer little protection from the cold, and without adequate winter clothing, children shiver on their way to school, often relying on thin blankets or small fires for warmth. Recognizing this urgent need, Tzu Chi volunteers in Lumbini have stepped forward to provide comfort and essential supplies.

A warm embrace in Lumbini

Tzu Chi volunteers have been actively involved in the local community since 2022, regularly visiting impoverished areas. They established the first Saturday of each month as “Charity Day” to distribute aid to care recipients. This December, the focus was on winter relief, with 70 volunteers mobilizing to provide warm jackets for children and cozy shawls for mothers.

Days before the distribution, volunteers gathered at the Lumbini office to meticulously prepare the aid packages. Tulsi Narayan Matang, a visiting volunteer, carefully checked household lists, confirming the number of family members. Volunteers then sorted and bagged clothing items according to size and quantity. Each green bag, labeled with the family’s name, represented a gesture of care. In addition to clothing, the volunteers also distributed soap made from local neem leaves, known for their health benefits and considered a natural antibiotic in the local language.

Before setting out, Tulsi Narayan Matang and Rishikesh Maurya briefed the teams on the routes and the process for collecting rice bank feedback forms. After a brief gathering, nine teams loaded their vehicles with supplies, ready to bring warmth to the community.

Stories of resilience and hope

One of the teams headed to Lamtihawa village, Lumbini Ward 2, where they visited Madhuri Maury, a single mother with three children. Madhuri’s home was a tent provided by the district office, now covered in mold, with just two traditional woven beds and a few simple clothes. With no agricultural work during winter, her family faced severe hardship, lacking electricity and a toilet. Her children, home for winter break, were overjoyed to see the volunteers and expressed their wish for a proper house. Tzu Chi decided to provide her family with three more months of food, supplementing the wheat she occasionally gathers and the vegetables shared by neighbors. Despite her struggles, Madhuri also contributes to the rice bank, grateful for the ongoing support.

As the volunteers delivered rice and other provisions, Ramesh Karki helped Madhuri’s thinly dressed children try on their new winter jackets. Their faces lit up with shy, innocent smiles. Lay Hua Lee (李麗華) draped a warm red shawl around Madhuri, offering a comforting hug. Overwhelmed, Madhuri’s cheeks flushed as she shared, “Before, we could only wear the clothes we already had, and it was very difficult when it was cold; now we can feel warm, and we are very happy.” She expressed deep gratitude for the help extended to her and her children, allowing them to wear new clothes.

The team then visited Sudha Lodha, another single mother with three children. Her home, a dilapidated structure, was temporarily shared with her in-laws, offering a glimmer of hope amidst her challenges. Sudha beamed as Lay Hua Lee presented her with an orange-red shawl. Ramesh Karki explained that the supplies were a gift from Taiwan. He then gently removed a child’s dirty shirt and helped him into a new jacket. The child, initially reluctant to part with his old clothes, soon embraced the new warmth. Sudha then showed the volunteers her crumbling roof, reiterating her family’s most pressing need: “Before, there wasn’t enough food, and no house to live in. In winter, there were no clothes to wear. You gave us clothes and food. Now what we need most is a house to live in.” With clasped hands, she offered a sincere prayer for Master Cheng Yen’s health and happiness.

In Bhujahiya village, the volunteers met Kalawati Pashi and her three daughters, who were home from school. Ramesh Karki carefully checked the jacket sizes, and the girls happily tried on their new clothes, watching as Lay Hua Lee presented their mother with a new shawl. The volunteers observed the family’s dark home, lit only by a small oil lamp at night, a stark reminder of their difficult living conditions. Despite this, Kalawati also contributed to the rice bank, and the volunteers offered their gratitude.

Nearby, Munna Kohar, an elderly woman living alone, eagerly greeted the volunteers. Lay Hua Lee was surprised to see her home in disarray, despite previous assistance from Tzu Chi to repair her roof and build a new kitchen. Cobwebs surrounded the entrance while firewood and old clothes cluttered the interior. When volunteers offered to help with cleaning, Munna initially refused. However, Ramesh Karki gently cleared some cobwebs with a branch, explaining the importance of cleanliness for health, and Munna eventually agreed to their help.

The team also visited Sushila Gupta, a single mother whose three children joyfully tried on their new jackets. Her eldest daughter, Babita Gupta, shyly shared, “After my father passed away, I haven’t had new clothes. Before, I only had an old and not very warm jacket; now wearing a new jacket, I feel very warm.” Babita expressed her gratitude to Master Cheng Yen, cherishing the warmth provided during the winter.

Beyond material aid

Ramesh Karki reflected on his earlier visits, noting the increasingly harsh winters in Lumbini. He had wondered if they could provide warm clothing to help families endure the cold. “When I went to the villages, I was shocked,” he recalled. “They had almost no warm clothes and couldn’t afford new ones. It was so cold, yet they could only endure it; especially the children, without shoes, pants, or jackets, their faces were cracked and red from the cold, though they didn’t cry.” Seeing this, Ramesh questioned how these children could survive like this. He expressed his joy at seeing their happiness when receiving the winter clothes, recalling one girl who thanked Master Cheng Yen and Tzu Chi volunteers, saying, “You are all very good people, just like my parents.”

Tulsi Narayan Matang highlighted the diverse needs of the care recipients, many of whom are single mothers, young girls, or illiterate elders who never had the chance to learn to write their names. To address this, a special assistance group was set up to help them sign the distribution forms, ensuring transparency and accountability for all items received. Tulsi emphasized that this work aims to spread love and harmony in the community, fulfilling Master Cheng Yen’s vision.

Lay Hua Lee noted the significant progress of the team, particularly in their approach to “holistic care.” She was touched by Ramesh Karki’s initiative to address the living conditions of care recipients, such as suggesting cleaning Munna Kohar’s home. She encouraged him, saying, “If you feel it should be done, then do it! We can discuss what resources or assistance are needed and gather team members to complete it.” Ramesh further shared with new volunteers that home visits involve more than just monthly material distribution; they encompass understanding a family’s overall needs, ensuring a safe living environment, regular school attendance for children, and gradual improvements in their lives.

Sarita Sunar, on her first home visit, witnessed the immense joy of the families receiving new clothes. “They were very happy because they usually only have old clothes. Today, wearing new clothes, everyone was delighted,” she shared. “They expressed deep gratitude and stated that these warm clothes made them feel warm and happy in the cold winter. They promised to cherish, keep clean, and properly store the clothes.”

The winter charity distribution not only provided essential protection and care but also conveyed a profound sense of warmth and support from Tzu Chi volunteers worldwide, helping these families navigate the harsh winter season.

Written by Lay Choo Koh (許麗珠)