On July 14, volunteers traveled from their lodging to the distribution site at the “Iida Waku Waku Plaza” in Suzu City, Japan. In a prayer for peace and harmony, Tzu Chi volunteer Lin-yun Chen led a group in singing and performing sign language for the song “Love and Care” in Chinese and Japanese.

Facing Life’s Hardships with Optimism

At the distribution site in Suzu City, where temperatures reached 25°C, volunteers diligently handed out water and sports drinks to the people waiting in line. Outside, they noticed an elderly woman limping forward and rushing over to accompany her. After verifying her documents, they guided her inside to receive her relief fund. Afterward, they helped her to the rest area for some tea.

Eighty-six-year-old Grandma Miwako Kawasaka, lost her husband more than a decade ago and now lives alone, running a small business in Takojima Township, near Suzu. When the earthquake struck, her house was destroyed, and she suffered a foot injury from a table falling on her, making it hard for her to walk. At the evacuation center, she was deeply grateful for the care she received from neighbors who frequently brought her tea and meals. Thankfully, her foot has healed over time, allowing her to walk again.

In March, Grandma Kawasaka realized she needed to learn to drive because living in her area without a car was very inconvenient. Despite her limited funds, she chose to repair an earthquake-damaged vehicle, spending over 230,000 yen (about USD1,494). It takes about twenty minutes to drive from her temporary housing in Takojima to the distribution site.

She was deeply grateful for the relief fund from Tzu Chi, saying it was a great help and she wasn’t sure how to repay such kindness. As they walked to the parking lot, she pointed to a small truck parked illegally and said with a smile, "That’s it…" The volunteers, surprised, pointed out that she had parked in an illegal spot. She laughed and acknowledged the mistake.

When she got into the driver's seat, she placed the relief fund bag in the truck’s cargo area. Concerned about the safety of the donation, the volunteers suggested moving it to the front seat. Grandma Kawasaka was touched by their thoughtfulness and praised their kindness.

As a gesture of thanks, she searched through her car for something to give back. Eventually, she found a small green fabric pouch used for saving money and offered a few 500-yen coins (about USD 3.25) to the volunteers, insisting they use it for treats. Despite their initial reluctance, she persisted and ended up giving them 2,000 yen (about USD 13). The volunteers, touched by her generosity, gently slipped the money back into her pocket, silently appreciating her kind spirit.

As they watched her drive away with the bag they had given her, the volunteers felt a deep admiration for the resilience of the local people. Despite the severe challenges, elderly residents like “Noto’s Super Grandma” remain optimistic and self-reliant. Their perseverance and gratitude are truly inspiring to everyone they meet.

The day ended with the volunteers deeply touched by both the residents’ courage and the sincere, loving presence of Tzu Chi’s own team. For everyone involved, the encounter was truly unforgettable.