Tino Chu (second left) leads the volunteer team in cultivating kindness and love in Zimbabwe. The land in Domboshava, donated by the local chief, is about 30 kilometers northeast of Harare and covers 1.8 hectares. The site includes two wells dug by Tzu Chi, providing stable irrigation for farmland, allowing residents to grow crops locally. | Photo: Chin-Te Chan (詹進德)

A New Beginning for Harare’s Communities

On September 7, 2025, the atmosphere was filled with excitement at the future site of the Tzu Chi Jing Si Hall in Harare, Zimbabwe. The 18,000-square-meter campus, located in Domboshava about 30 kilometers northeast of the capital, became the focus of hope for over 500 local officials, community leaders, and volunteers. The land, generously donated by a local chief, already features two wells that provide stable irrigation for community farmland, allowing residents to grow their own crops.

“Water is the life of the land.” With wells, there are schools. The new community center in Domboshava will offer educational and cultural functions, including a school, wells, and food provision, supporting several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. | Photo: Chin-Te Chan

A Community Center Rooted in Local Needs

The groundbreaking ceremony was more than just a construction milestone—it marked the realization of a long-held dream for many in the community. The new Jing Si Hall will serve as a multi-functional center, offering education, clean water, and food support. These efforts align with several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, including quality education, clean water and sanitation, and zero hunger.

Zimbabwe’s Harare Tzu Chi base officially begins construction of Africa’s second Tzu Chi Jing Si Hall. | Photo: Chin-Te Chan

A Dream Realized After Decades of Dedication

The most moving moment of the ceremony came from volunteer Tino Chu (朱金財), who has spent 31 years in Zimbabwe. Overcome with emotion, he shared, “We have waited a long time for this moment. Now, the Tzu Chi home is finally breaking ground. It feels so real.” Having made Zimbabwe his second home, Chu has pledged to continue serving the people here, even expressing his wish to be laid to rest in Zimbabwe and to return as a Zimbabwean in his next life.

For years, Chu and his team have traveled to remote villages, drilling and repairing wells—over 3,000 to date—transforming daily life for countless families. Their work has brought not only water but also educational opportunities and community care, ensuring that children have books to read and families have water to use.

Volunteer Tino Chu has ventured into remote villages, surveying, drilling, and repairing wells. To date, Zimbabwe volunteers have repaired and drilled over 3,000 wells, benefiting villagers lacking water resources. | Photo: Chin-Te Chan

Education, Training, and a Brighter Future

Once completed, the Jing Si Hall will become the main office for Tzu Chi’s work in Zimbabwe. The center will offer volunteer training, vocational education, medical outreach, and a variety of courses, including Chinese language, agriculture, and computer skills. By integrating technology and international perspectives, the center aims to nurture skilled volunteers and empower the local community.

The grounds already feature fruit trees and crops, and the vision is for the center to blossom like a lotus, spreading kindness and love throughout Zimbabwe.

A Vision for Mutual Care and Sustainable Growth

During the ceremony, Tzu Chi Vice President Pi-Yu Lin (林碧玉) expressed her hopes for the future: to accelerate progress toward “everyone having a home, enough food to eat, and a culture of mutual care.” The construction of the Jing Si Hall and community center is expected to become a beacon of hope, supporting the well-being and aspirations of local residents for years to come.

As the new center rises, it stands as a testament to the resilience and unity of the Zimbabwean people, and to the power of compassion in building a better future.

Tzu Chi Vice President Pi-Yu Lin (wearing a white cap) offers blessings for Zimbabwe, hoping to accelerate the goal that by 2030, everyone will have a home, enough food, and, most importantly, a culture of mutual care. | Photo: Chin-Te Chan

Written by Yi-Ting Wang (王藝婷)

Source: 辛巴威哈拉雷慈濟家園動土 志工深耕三十載：「我們有家了！」