| A
Family Gains Assurance Through Love |
 |
Translated by Weishiong Chong
July 16, 2002
Chinese
Version
WU LAI, Taiwan- Tzu Chi volunteers build a
house for the Huang family
Blessings come from the family,
While hope is placed upon the children
With a new home, life is given another assurance --
Struggle for Love and let the seeds of goodness germinate!
Breakfast for a homeless family
On the road to Wu Lai, northern Taiwan, there is a betel
nut stand with a sign that reads "Native Taiwanese."
It has long been closed because of poor business, but now it
is the shelter for the six members of the Huang family.
Even though it was almost noontime, one could
peer through the openings in the canvas cover to see Mrs. Huang
and her four children still in deep slumber. Mr. Huang and the
Tzu Chi volunteers gently called out to them, "Wake up
for breakfast!"
On this morning, volunteers Chun-Yin Huang
and Long-Sheng Wu and social worker Yi-Shi Chen brought hot
buns and fresh milk to the Huang family out of concern that
they may not have had breakfast yet.
First the eldest child rushed out, looking
sharp with his crewcut hair. Next came their second child, who
was quiet and sweet. No. 3 then hopped out in his diapers. Finally,
Mrs. Huang appeared with the youngest child, tired and frail.
As the adorable children came out one after
another, the volunteers showered them with hugs and fed them
with milk and sweet red bean buns. They had to take extra care
and keep the kids from choking themselves as they wolfed down
the food.
Inside, a dangerous charcoal fire
Outside, a dangerous road
Two years ago, Mr. Huang had a traffic accident while delivering
gas canisters. Ever since, he has had difficulty walking and
can not leave the house for work. To make a living, he bought
the betel nut stand from a friend for NT$20,000.
Sadly, his misfortunes continued. While staying
temporarily with his brother, Mr. Huang accidentally started
a fire. To appease his brother, who worried that he might start
another blaze, Mr. Huang closed down the business and moved
his family into the betel nut stand instead.
Mr. Huang has no regular job, so a friend
of his brings him bamboo shoots harvested from a hillside. Mr.
Huang keeps them on a table and sells them on weekends and holidays
to make ends meet.
"If there is community work at the town
hall, such as sweeping the roads, I can make up to NT$1,200
a day," says Mr. Huang. "However, this kind of odd
job is temporary and lasts only one to two weeks of the month"
Inside the betel nut stand, a small charcoal
fire provides some warmth, but it also burns the children on
occasion. Outside the betel nut stand, there is a road laden
with heavy traffic, and the energetic kids often risk danger
when they play by the road. As for washing and sanitary needs,
the family resorts to a nearby stream or they borrow a neighbor's
bathroom.
Out of environmental and sanitary concerns,
the volunteers began searching for some land to build a sheet
metal house that would become a new home for the Huang family.
Building a new home with one's own hands,
seeing a "little house of love" take form, there is
an overflowing sense of satisfaction
Like the pumpkin that turned into a carriage in the Cinderella
story, a "little house of love" materialized before
the Huang family in early June, after another brother of Mr.
Huang's provided land from his vegetable farm and volunteers
mobilized to build the house.
Mr. Huang participated actively during the
seven-day construction period, helping to carry sand, install
sheet metal, transport water, and dig the septic tank. He commented,
"This home is mine, so to build it with my own hands gives
me a sense of ownership. I feel more than a 100% satisfied to
see it finish."
Mrs. Huang often visited the construction
site as well. Their oldest child asked, "Is this house
going to be Uncle's new home?" When Mrs. Huang replied
that it was to be THEIR new home, the boy was filled with excitement.
Finally, a place to call home!
The house was finally completed. On the move-in day, turnips
were hung over the door to symbolize good luck. Red bean dumplings
were served to usher in success. A banner that read "Spread
the Seed of Great Love" was draped on the wall, because
this "little house of love" was the fruit of labor
by so many people.
After admiring every corner of the house,
the crowd began to move outside for the transfer ceremony. The
third child, still clad only in diapers, adorably brought the
departing visitors their shoes.
As Long-Sheng Wu handed the keys to Mr. Huang,
this "small house of love" became the refuge that
this family badly needed.
Wu told Mr. Huang, "Your blessings lie
within your family, and your hopes lie upon your children. After
you take this home of love, we hope that you will make a new
commitment to your life. As you witness this outpouring of love
from everybody, we look forward to seeing you working hard and
letting Tzu Chi's seeds of love germinate"
A week earlier, the volunteers had also furnished
the Huangs' little house of love. Thus, although small, it is
now complete. Volunteer Jin-Ling Lai also brought along a bag
of Hello Kitty and McDonald's toys. The Huangs' second child
liked them so much that she grabbed the bag and refused to let
go.
The Huangs' eldest son seemed to have two
things he treasured most. One was a blue ball and the other
was volunteer Kun-Chuen Gao. At the housewarming party, this
youngster happily hugged Gao's legs and expressed his sentiment
by calling him "uncle." Gao was elated by this little
child's sudden display of friendship.
Mrs. Huang commented, "I never thought
that I would have my own home. I feel as if I'm in a dream.
I was very worried about the kids playing at the roadside, so
now I'm grateful to the volunteers for helping us. You are not
only friends, but benefactors as well. Without you, we would
not have this house. I'll keep this house neat and clean as
a gesture of my gratitude." Being only in her early twenties,
she is looking forward to the future.
"When I'm better off financially, if
someone should need help building a home, I'll help out. I hope
to wear this uniform one day," remarked Mr. Huang, as he
pointed to the blue-and-white uniform worn by the Tzu Chi volunteers.
