Relief Efforts in Jordan
In the Middle East, Tzu Chi volunteers
have been conducting several spring relief distributions throughout
the month of April in Jordan. In the city of Amman and the
Fenan area, residents received enough staple foods such as
flour, rice, tea, beans, sugar and vegetable oil to last for
two months.
Several volunteers in Jordan were attending
their first relief distribution. Led by the founder of Tzu
Chi's Jordan chapter, Chen Qiu Hwa, the volunteers distributed
the relief supplies with a smile.
The poor living conditions of the care recipients were shocking,
but the new volunteers were counseled by experienced volunteers
not to appear unhappy, because it could be misconstrued as
pity and be disrespectful to the recipients.
At each distribution, Tzu Chi volunteers
give the aid personally, hand to hand, to each recipient and
with the utmost respect. To brighten up the children's day,
volunteers give candies and cookies. Such thoughtfulness and
sincerity of the volunteers during the distribution was touching.
Jordan is a land-locked country that shares
a border with Iraq. Its size is twice the size of Taiwan with
a population of nearly six million people. The national language
is Arabic, and over ninety percent of the population is Muslim.
Located in the heart of Jordan is Tzu Chi's chapter.
Tzu Chi's chapter in Jordan is in its 8th
year of serving the community. They regularly care for more
than 50 long-term care recipients, many of whom are elderly,
handicapped, or refugees. They also hold regular relief distributions
in fourteen areas. What is impressive about Tzu Chi Jordan
is that it carries out such tremendous tasks with very few
volunteers.
These volunteers in Jordan endure a harsh
climate and environment every time they hold an event. Such
unwavering efforts deserve respect.
