Seventy-one university students participating in the 2025 “Life Maker College Youth Camp” embarked on a day of social service on August 24, venturing beyond classroom learning to engage directly with communities in need. Among the various service stations, ten teams focused on home visits, with one group, led by Tzu Chi volunteer Chun-Chao Lin (林群超), visiting seven care recipients residing at the Leh-Du Hotel in Tainan’s Central and Western District. Master De Ge (德格師父) and Master De Shen (德深師父) from Jing Si Abode in Hualien also joined the volunteers, bringing warmth and encouragement to those living in the shadows.

Preparing for Compassionate Engagement

Before setting out, Hsiu-Luan Lai (賴秀鸞), the Tainan core visiting team leader, briefed the students on the nuances of home visits. She emphasized the importance of listening with an open heart and approaching each individual's unique life story with understanding and compassion.

“Many care recipients have diverse life stories, shaped by various circumstances,” Lai explained, drawing from her years of experience. “When we enter their homes, we need to listen, to guide them with tolerance and care. We must empathize with their situations and be grateful for the opportunity they give us to learn from their struggles.”

She highlighted Tzu Chi's distinct approach, which extends beyond financial or physical aid to focus on nurturing the spirit. “Those who suffer cannot always come to us, so those who are blessed must go to them,” she stated, encouraging the students to be “seeds of love” that form a safety net in society's overlooked corners.

A Haven in Tainan's Alleys

The Leh-Du Hotel, an aging four-story building nestled in an alley on Yongfu Road, serves as a refuge for seven Tzu Chi care recipients. These individuals, often isolated, severely ill, or elderly living alone with no income, struggle to find housing elsewhere. The local social welfare bureau recommended the hotel, where the dedicated manager, Liang Hsieh (謝涼), affectionately known as “Sister Liang,” plays a crucial role in their well-being. Her consistent care for the residents deeply touches the visiting volunteers.

Volunteer Chun-Chao Lin guided the Masters and students through the hotel's narrow staircases and small corridors, explaining each resident's background. With a gentle knock and a warm greeting, “Knock, knock, knock! Hello Mr. Sun, the Masters are here to visit you!” Lin Chun-Chao opened a door, revealing a small, tidy 100 sq ft room.

Mr. Sun, a 73-year-old dialysis patient, expressed his joy at the visit. “I like it when volunteers come visit me, otherwise it's very boring,” he said with a shy smile. When asked if he wanted to chat with the Masters, he chuckled, “Ah! I'm not familiar with the Master, I don't know what to talk about, I get along better with young people!”

Sister Liang: A Pillar of Support

Liang Hsieh, affectionately known as Sister Liang, is the Leh-Du Hotel's most senior employee and a beacon of selfless kindness. For forty years, she has quietly safeguarded this marginalized corner of the city, working closely with Tzu Chi volunteers. She recalls starting at the hotel with no prior experience, learning everything from housekeeping to management, eventually becoming the landlord's most trusted partner. Beyond her duties, she actively cares for residents who have no family and limited mobility.

In earlier times, when resources were scarce, Sister Liang would gently persuade residents struggling with rent to pay what they could, securing the landlord's leniency. She even cooked meals from her own pocket to prevent residents from going hungry or falling ill. Despite occasional ingratitude, she never wavered in her commitment. In recent years, as she has aged and her income has become limited, Sister Liang can no longer bear the cost of communal meals alone. Fortunately, the Social Welfare Bureau and Tzu Chi volunteers have stepped in, providing food vouchers and donated meals, ensuring the care continues.

Volunteer Hsi-Chiu Chen (陳喜久) noted Sister Liang’s optimistic and kind nature, observing how she finds contentment and cherishes blessings despite witnessing much suffering at the hotel. Tzu Chi's care at the hotel has grown from two households to seven, and while volunteers have rotated over the years, Sister Liang remains a constant, greeting every visitor with warmth and comforting lonely hearts.

Youth Discover Empathy

Chi-Chun Li (李季錞), a camp staff member, found the visit to Leh-Du Hotel deeply moving. “Stepping into the narrow staircases and small rooms, seeing people suffering from illness, brought a pang of sadness,” he shared. “As Tzu Ching (Tzu Chi Collegiate Association) members, we need to cultivate compassion and learn how to interact, to truly enter their lives. Many of them are shy and mostly stay in their rooms. Simple greetings can uplift their spirits, which is beneficial for their health.”

Li added, “Having the Masters accompany us gives the young people strength, igniting our passion. This allows the care recipients here to feel our enthusiasm and vitality.”

Chia-Ling Tseng (曾佳玲), an Applied English student from Kaohsiung University of Science and Technology, was already familiar with Tzu Chi through high school activities. She chose the home visit service to gain a deeper understanding. “Today, following the volunteers, I felt their rich experience,” she reflected. “Seeing these individuals, despite their illnesses and challenging environments, still maintain an optimistic outlook on life is truly remarkable. Unlike many today who complain about minor setbacks, they persevere.”

Tseng recounted a touching moment with an 80-something grandfather who shed tears while speaking about his physical discomfort and the joy of the volunteers' visit. She quietly offered him a tissue. “The grandfather said that due to his mobility issues, he has to walk forty minutes every day just to get a free meal! This shows his physical and mental suffering. He really hopes we can visit him more often, as it makes him happy.” She noted that last year, when the grandfather needed surgery, volunteers cared for him like family, which brought him immense joy. This experience broadened Tseng’s perspective on life.

The Masters and care recipients shared a moment of joy, singing “The Moon Represents My Heart.” The Masters also encouraged them to recite “Amitābha”, explaining its meaning as “immeasurable life and blessings,” a way to bless themselves.

The old apartment building may be worn, but it is not without hope. Visiting volunteers connect with the residents through love, bringing smiles with songs. Nostalgic tunes like “Love to Win” and “The Unspoken Ending” echoed through the narrow rooms and corridors, a testament to the steady, loving force that will continue to accompany them.

Written by Shu-Mei Yang (楊淑玫), Pei-Hsuan Chang (張倍瑄)

Translated by Mindy Chen (陳敏理)

Source: 「創客」社會參與志工服務 觸角深入慈濟訪視