| The first volunteers to arrive
at the earthquake site included Dr. Kuo Chien-Chung
and Mr. Hsu Bing-Hsu. Dr Kuo was the head of the trauma
center at the Tzu Chi hospital in Hualien, Taiwan. He
had worked at the forefront of the SARS epidemic and
the 921 earthquake in Taiwan. Mr. Hsu was the associate
chief of nurses at the Tzu Chi hospital. Amidst a recent
typhoon, he lost his home to a landslide while assisting
other victims.
During these first two weeks after the earthquake,
Dr. Kuo and Mr. Hsu not only provided medical service
whenever possible, they also handed out daily supplies
alongside other volunteers. By the time of their return
to Taiwan, they had treated hundreds of patients who
had various gastrointestinal, pulmonary and cardiovascular
diseases, and external wounds. The patients seemed less
troubled by their illnesses and injuries than by their
emotional trauma. Everyone had a bundle of sad stories
to tell. As they listened patiently to never-ending
emotional outbursts, Dr. Kuo and Mr. Hsu came to realize
that only medicine for the heart and soul would heal
these people.
Dr. Kuo (left) listens to the
father patiently through the translator and body language.
With rubbles everywhere, Dr. Kuo and Mr. Hsu came to
the aid of many groups of people who camped out next
to what used to be their homes. In these towns where
the streets have no name, Mr. Hsu gave each group of
neighbors a nickname. In the “Story Village”
every resident told him, through a translator, numerous
stories of his family. The group that impressed him
the most was the “Village of Friends.” These
campers always shared their food, supplies and chores.
What little to drink and to eat that they had, they
offered to share with the visiting volunteers.
“During such a short visit, we have experienced
so much human kindness. We have witnessed how a community
stands up from a tragedy more united than it ever was.
We are eternally grateful to these people who have taught
us an unforgettable lesson in life,” Dr. Kuo expressed.
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