By Hsiu-Ling Wu, Mey Yeong, and Soh Chin Ong 

A grandmother (third right) brought two large bags of coins she often receives from her granddaughter for the bamboo bank. She had been eagerly waiting for Tzu Chi volunteers to arrive. | Photo: Soh Chin Ong | UK | 2025/1/1 

A Journey of Friendship in York 

"Happy New Year! Your hands are freezing!"  

In York, England, the New Year starts not with warm sunshine, but with frosty temperatures and chilly winds. On January 1, 2025, a dedicated group of five Tzu Chi volunteers from Manchester set off on a six-hour journey to visit the residents of a local trailer park. Despite the biting one-degree Celsius weather, their reunion with the families made every mile and every shiver worthwhile. 

A Relationship Built Over Time 

York’s "Traveler" trailer park is home to Gypsy families who call themselves "travelers." Many face financial hardship, living in modest shipping container homes and making a living through odd jobs and manual labor. Despite their challenges and societal stigma, they remain optimistic and deeply connected to their cultural values of freedom and mobility. 

Since 2016, Tzu Chi volunteers have visited this community every winter, bringing warmth and care during the cold season. Over nine years, this annual tradition has blossomed into a bond that goes beyond charity—these once-strangers are now friends and family. 

The car trunk was packed with gifts, including cookies, oranges, handmade soap, Jing Si Aphorism books, and multilingual cards with the lyrics of Love and Care for All. | Photo: Su-Chen Wang | UK | 2025/1/1

The Long Road to Connection 

The origins of this relationship can be traced back to December 26, 2015, when heavy rains caused devastating floods in York. The James Street trailer park was submerged, displacing more than 20 families. Tzu Chi provided emergency relief and has continued to support the community ever since. 

On New Year’s Day 2025, the volunteers braved yet another challenge: heavy rain and difficult road conditions. Volunteer Wuh-Geng Cham traveled with his 78-year-old mother, Saw Eang Lim, from Manchester, and they were joined by Avaley Lee. Meanwhile, Mey Yeong drove from Oxford to meet with Soh Chin Ong in Malvern, and together they completed the journey to York. 

Avaley Lee (left) shared with a grandmother the meaning behind the song, Love and Care, playing the song on her phone. She hummed along like a child, saying, “The lyrics are beautiful—I love it.” | Photo: Mey Yeong | UK | 2025/1/1 

With the stormy skies overhead, the volunteers carefully packed their car trunks with gifts: cookies, oranges, handmade soap, Jing Si Aphorism books, multilingual cards of the song Love and Care, and colorful gift bags of candy and chocolates for the children. Despite the long journey, their hearts were set on bringing smiles and blessings. 

Bamboo Banks and Kindness Shared 

Katherine (alias, third left) warmly invited volunteers into her home, filling the room with laughter and joy. As always, she didn’t forget to make a bamboo bank donation. | Photo: Soh Chin Ong | UK | 2025/1/1

“Come in and sit for a while!” Katherine (alias) greeted the volunteers warmly as they arrived at her home. Recently recovering from a serious illness, she joyfully shared updates about her health and caught up with her visitors. True to tradition, she also contributed to the bamboo bank, an act of kindness she never forgets. 

Volunteers Wuh-Geng Cham (left) and Saw Eang Lim (right) received heartfelt hugs from this gentleman who welcomed them as long-missed family. | Photo: Soh Chin Ong | UK | 2025/1/1

At another home, a couple welcomed the volunteers with bear hugs, expressing just how much they had missed them. The wife took her time reading the story behind the bamboo bank and admired the message of inspiring kindness. Both she and her husband eagerly made contributions, believing that small acts can create a ripple of love and hope. 

Five young children stayed indoors due to the cold weather. The volunteers interacted with them through the trailer window, handing over blessings and gifts that brought smiles to their faces. | Photo: Soh Chin Ong | UK | 2025/1/1 

When the volunteers stopped by a trailer where five children were staying, the freezing weather kept the little ones indoors. The volunteers passed their blessings and brightly wrapped gift bags through the window, bringing delight to the children. 

Planting Seeds of Hope 

At Gwen's (alias, second left) home, her husband (left) happily told volunteers how he saved money daily by smoking less and donating the savings to the bamboo bank—becoming healthier and helping others at the same time. | Photo: Mey Yeong | UK | 2025/1/1

At Gwen’s (alias) home, the volunteers admired her carefully arranged glassware displayed in a cabinet. Her husband, Jose (alias), beamed with pride as he shared how he had recently begun to quit smoking, reducing his habit from 40 cigarettes a day to 20 and now 10. The savings from quitting filled an entire bag, which he donated to the bamboo bank.  
 
“It makes me healthier, and I can help others—it’s a win-win!” he said with a smile. 

During the annual bamboo bank tradition, volunteers visited John (alias, right). His daughter reminded him to donate the savings in their bamboo bank, but he chose to keep saving and promised to contribute next year. | Photo: Mey Yeong | UK | 2025/1/1

The volunteers also visited John (alias), whose daughter eagerly reminded him to donate the contents of their bamboo bank. Smiling, John decided to keep saving and promised to contribute next year. 

The bamboo bank tradition has taken deep root in the community. Even children without spare change touched the bamboo bank with their hands, silently making wishes and promises to donate when they could. 

One elderly woman braved the cold to deliver two large bags of coins. Despite trembling hands that dropped a few coins on the ground, she was determined to give back. Her small but meaningful act of kindness inspired everyone around her. 

Cherished Moments of Love 

As the volunteers reunited with the families, they reflected on how much had changed over nine years. At Elise’s (alias) home, the elderly woman, who now suffers from dementia and cancer, shared scattered but heartwarming thoughts. “I thought of you yesterday because it’s been so long since we last met. I missed you because you’re always so kind,” she said. 

Volunteer Yao-Hua reassured her, saying, “Your kind words motivate us to return every year.” Together, they sang Love and Care for All, and Elise, her face lighting up, joined in happily. 

The park became a haven of joy, with children running around excitedly, clutching their gifts and charms. For volunteer Soh Chin, the visits were deeply meaningful: “They’re not just flood survivors—they’re like family to us.”