On the morning of May 10, 2026, spring sunlight illuminated the historic city of Poznan, Poland. For the local community, this day held multiple layers of meaning: it was Mother’s Day, Buddha Day, and the 60th anniversary of the Tzu Chi Foundation.

By seven o'clock, the lights in the Poznan office were already on. Volunteers arrived early to arrange classrooms, test broadcasting equipment, prepare food in the kitchen, and run final rehearsals for the children’s performances. Before the local events began, volunteers from Taiwan, Poland, and Ukraine connected online to witness the anniversary ceremonies taking place in Hualien, Taiwan, reflecting on decades of continuous humanitarian efforts across the globe.

Finding purpose through service

For many of the Ukrainian volunteers present, the day was particularly significant. Over four years have passed since the escalation of the conflict in Ukraine in February 2022. Many of these women had fled their homes with their children, arriving in Poland with little more than their luggage and a deep sense of uncertainty. During those difficult early days, they received emergency assistance and companionship to help them navigate their new reality.

Now, they stood in the activity center preparing meals, guiding elderly residents, organizing performances, and baking cakes. They had transitioned from individuals seeking refuge into community organizers helping others find their footing in a foreign land. Their efforts throughout the day were a quiet yet powerful demonstration of gratitude for the support that helped them rebuild their lives.

A symbol of commitment

A defining moment of the event was the presentation of gray volunteer uniforms to 33 individuals who have consistently dedicated their time to community service. This group included five Polish volunteers, 25 Ukrainian volunteers, and a Taiwanese family of three—businessman Ching-te Yang (楊景德), his wife Heng-chi Teng (鄧姮琦), and their daughter Ching-hsi Yang (楊晴熙), who have lived in Poland for thirty years.

For these volunteers, the uniform represents a commitment to continuing the cycle of care within their community. Yang shared that his involvement began after the conflict in Ukraine started, as he helped coordinate relief efforts for displaced families. Seeing the struggles of those forced from their homes deeply affected him. Receiving the uniform, he noted, felt like a deepening of his responsibilities to assist those in need. Teng echoed this sentiment, expressing her hope to continue learning and growing alongside the local Polish volunteers to support the community.

Creating a space for healing

Preparation for the event began a month in advance. Volunteers managed administrative tasks, coordinated free haircuts, planned children's activities, and gathered craft materials. Anna Egwu James and Olga Kutia managed the overall coordination, while Oksana Potreba handled guest registration. Olena Mladzievska organized the adult and children’s choirs and theatrical performances. Ihor Prys and Viktoriia Sanchkivska documented the day through photography and video.

The venue was filled with the sounds of children playing. Elvira Bozhko assisted with venue services, while Anastasia Bozhko and Maryna Bondarenko provided free haircuts. Iryna Vlasova, Kateryna Volotkovych, and Valeria Yusiupovych prepared an array of cakes, cookies, and other foods. Olga Astakhova contributed to the warm atmosphere with her artistic arrangements, and Hanna Bilousova created spring-themed handmade decorations.

Activities were designed to offer comfort and engagement for all ages. Larysa Sokur taught stress-relief techniques to seniors, while Tatiana Fedartsova led a dream collage workshop, allowing participants to visually piece together their hopes for the future. Yuliia Tkachuk and Olga Astakhova painted flowers, butterflies, and tigers on the children's faces.

In the craft area, Olena Bushniak taught children how to weave flying birds out of grass. Yuliia Semenenko-Kozhukh designed a sensory exploration experience for toddlers, allowing them to safely run and discover their surroundings. The haircutting station remained busy throughout the day, with Ukrainian hairdressers patiently tending to the guests.

The children's choir, composed of many youths from displaced Ukrainian families, performed songs on stage. To mark the occasion, Ukrainian volunteers also prepared 60 traditional pastries and baked an anniversary cake. Volunteer Zoya Polosuieva wrote a letter to express the collective sentiments of the group to Dharma Master Cheng Yen.

Your care and support have brought warmth, comfort, goodness, and compassion. May heaven grant you health and strength, and may you continue to bring a model of goodness to the world, allowing the Tzu Chi Foundation to prosper and endure for a century. Unity is the true meaning of family: Taiwan, Poland, and Ukraine. — Zoya Polosuieva, Volunteer

Shared reflections from local leaders

The event also featured insights from Polish volunteers and local officials who had recently visited Taiwan to learn more about the organization's approach to humanitarian work. Iwona Matuszczak-Szulc, Director of the Poznan City Development Department, shared her experience of translating a book about the foundation's history into Polish, page by page; to better understand its long-term approach to community care.

Poznan City Councilor Małgorzata Woźniak spoke about how her experiences have influenced her daily work, particularly in local healthcare settings.

Respected Dharma Master Cheng Yen,
I received this bracelet from your hands. This bracelet constantly reminds me to keep your teachings in mind, and also reminds me of the goodness and love conveyed by Tzu Chi, a charity that encourages and helps people. Keeping you teachings in mind, I embrace all teachings, uphold all goodness, and continue to invite more people to contribute together, because we understand that helping others is very important.— Małgorzata Woźniak, Poznan City Councilor

Member of Parliament Marek Niedbała sent a video message acknowledging the tangible impacts of the relief projects in Poland.

Respected Dharma Master Cheng Yen,
With deep respect and gratitude, I sincerely thank you for your continuous dedication over the past sixty years, consistently bringing help and care to humanity. Through the efforts of the Tzu Chi Foundation, including its actions in Poland, we can help those in need, rekindle hope, and connect people's hearts across differences. I am very happy to be a part of these actions and to support projects that truly change lives. Thank you.— Marek Niedbała, Member of Parliament

Mayor of Środa Wielkopolska, Piotr Mieloch, also shared his regards through a video, recognizing the ongoing efforts to serve the public and protect natural resources.

From the initial emergency aid distributed following the outbreak of the conflict to the establishment of regular community programs, the journey in Poland has been about creating a stable environment for people to rebuild their lives. As the event concluded, volunteers cleaned the venue, children continued to play, and guests shared quiet conversations over tea. Through shared meals, simple crafts, and steady companionship, a diverse group of individuals has managed to cultivate a supportive space that many now consider a second home.

Written by Monica Chang (張淑兒), Anna Egwu James