Sook Yin Ho, Pi-O Kuo | India

Sturdy cement brick houses with adequate sanitary facilities will replace the low, cow-dung-covered mud and straw huts. This is a gift from Tzu Chi volunteers worldwide, led by Master Cheng Yen, to the underprivileged villagers of Silaunja Village in Bodh Gaya, India, as part of their poverty alleviation efforts.

The Joy of Getting New Homes

When Tzu Chi’s team of volunteers from Taiwan, Malaysia and Singapore first visited Silaunja village in Bodh Gaya in February 2023, they witnessed the dire living situation of these impoverished villagers. Despite being where the Buddha attained enlightenment, those in the surrounding villages of Bodh Gaya still live in small, thatched huts with mud walls made of dried cow dung. The eves of these homes are so short that one must bend and crouch down to enter.

To offer these families better living conditions, the team decided to build Great Love Houses in the village. These initial homes will serve as safe shelters and a model community. After selecting residents with government land titles, construction began with a groundbreaking ceremony on February 25, 2024. The project will build 36 Great Love Houses on 1.25 acres of land.

A few months later, a visit to Silaunja Great Love Village revealed buildings at various stages of completion: some had roofs installed, others were being bricked or plastered. Seeing the progress, the contractor, Azim Khan, can envision the villagers joyfully moving in, bringing a smile to his face.

A Determination to Build Model Homes

As the contractor for Tzu Chi's first project in Bodh Gaya, Azim Khan is committed to building high-quality homes that will enhance Tzu Chi's reputation. A Bodh Gaya native, Azim was driven by a desire to help his neighbors and took part in the bidding for the Great Love Houses in November 2023.

Once selected, Azim swiftly submitted the plans for municipal approval. He faced challenges, including frequent visits to the office and negotiating with villagers who had many requests. The villagers wanted ten-inch thick walls, staircases in front of doors, and some resisted reconstruction entirely. Azim patiently addressed these demands, explaining that the new homes would offer a better, healthier environment for their children. In the end, he convinced all but one household to agree to the reconstruction. Work began on April 3, with progress moving smoothly in the cool weather.

Systematic Consideration for a Strong Home

After May, rising temperatures made it hard to hire construction workers, slowing progress. However, Azim found ways to keep things moving.

Azim proudly presents the Great Love Houses: each one is 38 square meters (414 sq ft), with two bedrooms, a living room, a kitchen, and a bathroom, all with their own drainage systems. "To help with the summer heat and improve ventilation, the houses are built to thirteen feet high," he said.

The Great Love Houses stand out with nine columns instead of the usual six. The front doors are made of durable materials, and the exterior walls are reinforced with iron rods. Azim used high-quality cement, bricks, and sand, and each house features larger-than-usual windows for better light and ventilation. The kitchens and bathrooms have elegant, high-quality tiles, and the drainage systems are well-designed. After construction, roads will be paved, and trees and flowers will be planted around the houses.

Azim noted that working with Tzu Chi revealed their thorough planning, covering details like drainage and road repairs. He stresses that this effort is all about providing the villagers with solid, dependable homes.

A Dream Come True: Owning a Home

Koshila Devi, the village chief and one of the Great Love House recipients, often visits the construction site to watch her house take shape. Her joy has grown as the house progresses from a skeleton to a completed home. "Tzu Chi gave us more than just high-quality doors, windows, ceilings, and cement—they gave us a complete home. It feels very warm," Koshila said sincerely.

She is thrilled to see the village being built on schedule and eagerly anticipates everyone moving into their new community soon.

Two village construction workers, Jamun Manjhi and Basant Manjhi, work hard under the blazing sun. Despite having to endure the searing sun, they are still happy, because it will not be long before they can move into their Great Love Houses.

Jamun said with all smiles, "In the past, when it rained or the wind was strong, my roof would blow off and the walls would collapse. I had to cover them with plastic and straw and keep repairing them. Now that Tzu Chi has built us such a comfortable house, my family no longer suffers. Nothing makes me happier!"

Enthused, Basant added, "Working in this weather is tough, but it's much better than having no job. I can provide for my family, and even if it's sunny or rainy, if you don't work, you don't earn. So, I'll endure the heat for my family."

Excited about moving in a few months, Basant feels joy in laying bricks and plastering the walls. "I'm truly grateful to Tzu Chi for giving me a home I never thought I could have. I also thank everyone who donated to build these houses for us."

Building with Sincerity and Quality

Initially, Savitri Devi, the owner of House No. 5, refused to demolish her house for reconstruction. She felt that the house's foundation represented her hard-earned savings and insisted on building according to its existing dimensions. However, the foundation's size differed from the government-approved construction plan, making it impossible to proceed as she wanted. Despite multiple discussions, she remained firm in her decision, refusing Tzu Chi’s offer to build her a new house.

July 10 marked a happy day when Malaysian Tzu Chi volunteer Raymond Kua visited the Great Love Village again. Knowing Savitri was at the temple, he went to see her. Upon meeting, Savitri recognized him from their first encounter when Tzu Chi initially came to the area, which left her with a sense of trust.

In a heartfelt conversation, Raymond explained that once the village was completed, her house would obstruct the road and detract from the community's overall beauty. He assured her of the high quality of Tzu Chi's houses, believing she would appreciate it. Touched by Raymond's sincerity and after seeing the model home, Savitri gained confidence in Tzu Chi and finally agreed to rebuild her house, allowing the entire community to be constructed according to the planned design.

Silaunja Great Love Village is Tzu Chi’s first reconstruction project in Bodh Gaya with Master Cheng Yen's great vow to transform the Buddha’s homeland is reflected in this endeavor. The reconstruction is not only Tzu Chi volunteers' way of repaying the kindness of the Buddha but also an opportunity to introduce people to Buddhism, enriching their spirits. The hope is that this blessing will remain in India and be passed on to future generations.