Vancouver Awards Tzu Chi Collegiate
Youth Association for Sweeping Streets
(Translated by Joy Hsiao, New York)
For over three years, members of the Canadian
branch of the Tzu Chi Collegiate Youth Association have swept
streets in Vancouver's Chinatown in hopes of wiping away its
reputation for filth and garbage. The efforts of these Tzu Chi
Youths were recognized by local Chinese businesses, and the
city of Vancouver honored them with an Excellence in Service
Award.
While Taiwan has promoted academic
credits for public service, the Canadian Tzu Chi Youths have
already received recognition for their active service. Three
years ago, they decided to sweep away the filthy reputation
of Chinatown by picking up the garbage and disposed syringes
that littered the streets. Three years later, even though the
environment in Chinatown has not been completely renewed, there
has been much better cooperation from local businesses. Lin
Chi-ying, a Canadian Tzu Chi Youth, remarked, "Because
so many people have been cleaning the streets for a long time,
it got the local residents to join in the cleaning effort. It's
a happy feeling."
