The Tzu Chi Foundation presented housewarming gifts to the 36 households of Silaunja Great Love Village. | Photo by Jung-Feng Chen | India | 2024/10/26 

A New Home for Silaunja Residents 

In a significant milestone, Tzu Chi Foundation has completed its first “Great Love Village” in Silaunja, an impoverished village in Bodh Gaya, India. On October 27, with the blessings of 28 Buddhist monastics, 36 new homes were officially handed over to residents, marking the culmination of nearly nine months of hard work by volunteers from Singapore and Malaysia. 

Building Hope on a 1.25-Acre Site 

Each of the 36 homes in the village is around 40 square meters in size and includes two bedrooms and a restroom. | Photo by Jung-Feng Chen | India | 2024/10

Volunteers began their mission in Bodh Gaya in early 2023, responding to the area’s urgent need for sustainable housing. In Silaunja Village, residents had been living in homes made of mud and straw, vulnerable to harsh weather conditions. Some homes, so low that residents had to crouch to enter, would collapse during strong rains and winds, leaving families exposed and struggling. 

Tzu Chi officially handed over the 36 new homes to residents on October 27, 2024, in a ceremony witnessed by 28 Dharma masters. | Photo by Jung-Feng Chen | India | 2024/10 

After evaluating the conditions, volunteers planned a new settlement, aiming to create safe and stable living conditions. Each of the 36 homes in the village is around 40 square meters in size and includes two bedrooms and a restroom. This vital improvement offers residents more privacy and security compared to their previous reliance on open spaces or nearby rivers for sanitation needs. 

Overcoming Challenges in the Construction Process 

Meeting local regulations was one of the first hurdles. Lacking official property records, Tzu Chi volunteers painstakingly gathered data by visiting each household under the sweltering sun to record basic information on family size and income. Once verified, legal applications for construction were filed, paving the way for the groundbreaking in February 2024. 

After watching a volunteer demonstrate how to use the house, Mina Devi of House No. 34 beamed with joy as she quickly learned how to unlock her door. | Photo by Jui-Fen Huang | India | 2024/10/29 
Boon Tiong Tan (right) guided House No. 31 resident, Sovamuni Devi (left), explaining, “The switch on the right side of the wall is for the outlet, and the one on the left is for the light.” | Photo by Jui-Fen Huang | India | 2024/10/29 

Throughout the building phase, the international Tzu Chi volunteer team faced complex challenges, including unfamiliarity with local building conditions, language barriers, and the intricacies of local customs. Despite these, they persevered, receiving invaluable support from contractor Azim Khan, whose commitment ensured the project’s timely completion. 

A Community’s Gratitude and a Bright Future Ahead 

At the handover ceremony, Tzu Chi volunteers offered blankets and keys, bowing respectfully as they passed these tokens of new beginnings to each family. For residents like Pyari Devi, the new homes are a transformative blessing: “We used to live in a house we built ourselves from bamboo and straw,” she shared. “Now, we finally have a safe home where we can sleep under a solid roof.” 

With colorful balloons hung high, House No. 14 was beautifully decorated. Fourteen-year-old Damsil Devi (left), a Grade 8 student, listened intently to Master Cheng Yen’s story in English, as Boon Tiong Tan (right) invited her to join. | Photo by Jui-Fen Huang | India | 2024/10/29 

Grateful villagers celebrated with warmth and appreciation, and representatives like Jayanti Devi expressed heartfelt thanks, offering prayers for Tzu Chi’s continued kindness. 

Long-Term Plans for Empowerment 

Boon Tiong Tan expressed gratitude as all residents gathered, and after a respectful greeting, they took a group photo, raising their hands and chanting “Tzu Chi Silaunja!” three times. | Photo by Jui-Fen Huang | India | 2024/10/26 

Tzu Chi’s commitment extends beyond housing. Moving forward, they will launch livelihood training and farming programs to help residents gain practical skills and establish more sustainable livelihoods. With the families ready to settle into their new homes, Tzu Chi’s Great Love Village is not only a place to live but a foundation for a hopeful future.