By Chun-hsia Lin | Türkiye

It was Cruel, But I Still Asked the Painful Questions

"After organizing my thoughts, we recorded the interview in a conversational manner, rather than making a father recount his painful story to a cold camera," David Yu explained.

“I apologized to Subhi, Ali's father,” before Yu asked, “The questions I’m about to ask are quite impolite. But I hope you can share your story to let more people worldwide understand the helplessness of Syrian refugee children and their parents. Please give me this opportunity.”

Subhi then slowly recounted their harrowing journey of fleeing their homeland.

"That day, we talked from 6:30 PM to 11:30 PM. Subhi escorted me to the train station. As the train departed, I watched him standing on the platform and wondered if other family members had seen them off in a similar way when they fled their home. That goodbye might have been the last, separated by thousands of miles or even a lifetime." Nearly ten years later, Yu still tears up when recalling that scene.

On February 6, 2023, a magnitude 7.8 earthquake struck southern Türkiye, prompting Tzu Chi to launch a relief operation. On February 18, a disaster assessment team was dispatched to Gaziantep Province. Ali (right), now an adult and university student living in Gaziantep City, is volunteering in the disaster area, fulfilling a promise he made to Tzu Chi volunteers years ago. | Photo courtesy of Fei Lin | Gaziantep, Türkiye | 2023/02/18

To film Ali’s work scenes, Subhi borrowed a nearby factory. "If we go to the original factory, the owner might have us thrown out, and worse, Ali might never be hired again," Yu remembered about the process of borrowing another factory.

Holding the Camera: How Can I Protect the Children?

"We had to plead with other factory owners to borrow their space, first explaining how Tzu Chi was helping refugees in Türkiye. This interfaith love hoped to restore normalcy to these Syrian children’s lives, allowing them to grow in a benevolent environment, free of hatred, so they wouldn’t become threats to society later on."

The owner reluctantly agreed. "But we couldn't film for too long to avoid causing trouble," Yu recalled.

"That day, I filmed Ali walking home from the factory. It was raining, and he wore slippers, his feet splashing heavily through the puddles, making a somber splashing sound."

"Our camera focused solely on Ali's lonely figure. What the footage didn’t show was the taunting remarks from other children on the roadside."

Ali had to walk this path every day after work. In a foreign land, each step on this "road to home" was heavy with hardship. War and trauma followed these children, bringing one misery after another.

"We couldn’t protect Ali that day because our presence with the camera would only attract more people," Yu said, tearfully. "That day was just a snapshot, but Ali endured this cold, lonely path daily."

"Of course, we had to educate the other children. We told them, 'We believe you’re compassionate. If you see someone without a home, you will reach out to help, right?'"

"We can’t protect these Syrian children 24/7, but we must help build a warm environment for them to grow up in," Yu's sentiments echoed the deep sorrow of Tzu Chi volunteers in Türkiye.

"That’s why I only documented Ali's story among the Syrian refugee children in Türkiye. It was heartbreaking. Ali's struggle for education and work is just one among many such stories, happening everywhere, all the time…"

Selfless Giving in the Face of Suffering

"Facing so much suffering, do you feel that you are also traumatized?" he was asked.

David Yu pondered for a moment before replying quietly, "I think so."

"But a teaching from Master Cheng Yen, 'Give without expecting anything in return, and you will receive boundlessly,' inspired me to become a media volunteer. No matter the suffering or difficulties I face, I always remember this and constantly adjust and learn the true meaning of 'selflessness.'"

No matter what hardships or challenges he faces, David Yu always keeps in mind the true meaning of "selflessness," constantly adjusting and learning from it. | Photo courtesy of Ming-mu Li

In Buddhism, "selfless giving" means giving without considering oneself as the giver, the recipient, or the gift itself, and without expecting anything in return. This concept, known as the "Threefold Emptiness," is a reminder to Tzu Chi volunteers to practice selfless giving and not be entangled by emotions.

"Being a media volunteer involves manual work—writing, photography, filming, editing—all require manual skills," Yu said with a tearful smile." But in truth, humanistic documentation is about being vulnerable and opening up one’s heart."

David Yu, a Buddhist and a disciple of Master Cheng Yen, practices the compassionate mission of "protecting all beings" while living in Islamic countries.

Learn more about Ali-the boy who grew up in Tzu Chi, click here.