GUIHULNGAN — While some politicians or political wannabees stumbled over themselves to claim credit for distributing relief goods in calamity-stricken areas, a group of volunteers mostly from Cebu came, distributed four 20-foot container vans of relief goods, went and wanted to remain anonymous.
“I’m Sally,” the group’s leader told this writer, “my last name is not important and you don’t even have to place my name in your story because we’re taught not to be standouts.”
What they simply want known about them is that they belong to a charitable organization called the Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation. The name is Buddhist but they’re a mixed group of Roman Catholics, Buddhists, Muslims and other religions, scattered in more than 50 chapters worldwide.
Each of the pre-identified 2114 families from the City of Guihulngan and the towns of La Libertad and Jimalalud each got one 20-kilo bag of rice, a thermal blanket, a family-size mat, a pack of used clothing, laundry soap, alcogel, plates, tumblers, eating utensils, mineral water and some pancit canton.
The rice and blankets came from Taiwan, where the world headquarters of the Tzu Chi Foundation is located, while the rest were donated by business establishments and Tzu Chi members.
Nida, a volunteer for the last five years, explained that before the earthquake victims received the relief goods, they had to listen to a two-hour lecture on the group’s teachings. “They are the best gift we can offer another person,” she said. The lecture teaches the recipient how to be grateful, to entertain only good thoughts, speak good words and show good deeds “because in life, we believe in cause-and-effect,” she said.
The victims are also taught the value of recycling, and how to help other people by imparting blessings and wisdom.
Franklin, a volunteer in charge of crowd control, said that before they mobilize their resources, they do a site assessment to determine the needs of disaster victims. “We determine if they need help. We only give assistance when poor people are affected,” he said.
Other than relief goods distribution, the Tzu Chi Foundation also conducts medical missions.
