Since 2011, Tzu Chi has been working with the Tembisa community on various charity events. This year, six local youths received study bursaries to continue their education to promote the establishment of local Tzu Chi youth.
- Translated by: Charles You -
- Story by: Global Tzu Chi Network -
(For full story, click HERE)
Considering the youths still needed to attend lectures during the morning at Ikamva Youth, Tembisa, Tzu Chi scheduled an event on the afternoon of 10 March 2012. The event kicked off with Tzu Chi providing lunches prepared by local volunteers. After a series of talks and photo/video presentations by both local and Chinese volunteers, Tzu Chi and members were formally introduced to the youth.
Case Study
Following the success of March 10, 2012, Tzu Chi then took the local youth on a field trip to visit some cases on the long-term care list. The first stop was at Gogo Mida; staying by herself, Mida's unstable mental condition had resulted in her becoming shunned within her own community. Needless to say, her hobby of collecting "treasures" (which is literally garbage off the streets) has since worsened the situation. However, after months of care from our volunteers, some progress has finally been seen. Volunteers spent countless hours in making her feel comfortable by gaining her trust, then assisted in removing all the garbage from her house; they even built a little room at the back of her yard for her to stay in temporarily.
Although more work and progress needs to be achieved in changing Gogo Mida's mindset of staying in her garbage-filled house amongst her "treasures" there has undoubtedly been a significant improvement since the first meeting.
Setting Up a Simple Vegetable Garden
The second case study was a visit to Grandma Rose. One of the Tzu Chi's local volunteers, Serena, has been looking after Rose even before Serena joined Tzu Chi. Also living alone with no family and very bad eye sight, Rose is a regular receiver of Tzu Chi aid. Sadly, she is also a regular victim of continuous theft and robbery from the street criminals. With the assistance of Serena, Rose was granded a new RDP house from the government and Tzu Chi was also able to help her set up burglar bars and fences to stop the criminals from entering her household.
Inexperienced local volunteer youths also helped set up a simple vegetable garden at Rose's backyard to help improve her life. Although only 12 local volunteers attended the event, there is no doubt that their passion and enthusiasm will encourage more youths to join our cause in making the world a better place. Tzu Chi looks forward to welcoming the all.
The second case study was a visit to Grandma Rose. One of the Tzu Chi's local volunteers, Serena, has been looking after Rose even before Serena joined Tzu Chi. Also living alone with no family and very bad eye sight, Rose is a regular receiver of Tzu Chi aid. Sadly, she is also a regular victim of continuous theft and robbery from the street criminals. With the assistance of Serena, Rose was granded a new RDP house from the government and Tzu Chi was also able to help her set up burglar bars and fences to stop the criminals from entering her household.
Inexperienced local volunteer youths also helped set up a simple vegetable garden at Rose's backyard to help improve her life. Although only 12 local volunteers attended the event, there is no doubt that their passion and enthusiasm will encourage more youths to join our cause in making the world a better place. Tzu Chi looks forward to welcoming the all.
