Tzu Chi 30 x Testimony
Tzu Chi 30 x Testimony
Every step in the past 30 years has left a trail of great love and gratitude.
Through the selfless contributions of every person and the unwavering promotion of charity, medicine, education, humanistic culture, and environmental protection missions, these have ignited hope among people and inspired a cycle of goodness!
Every step in the past 30 years has left a trail of great love and gratitude.
Through the selfless contributions of every person and the unwavering promotion of charity, medicine, education, humanistic culture, and environmental protection missions, these have ignited hope among people and inspired a cycle of goodness!
When someone needs Tzu Chi, we combine the charitable resources from the community.
If it is right, just do it!
Tzu Chi 30 x Dedication
Tzu Chi 30 x Dedication
Times change, generations progress.
Tzu Chi’s missions have also evolved to meet the needs of the times, but its core spirit remains everlasting.
Showing hospitality in every step of the way on Charity Distribution Day
In the early days in Taiwan, the Charity Distribution Day was held to offer warm meals and distribute aid materials to care recipients after the Medicine Buddha Dharma Assembly on the 24th day of each lunar month. Early efforts in Singapore, starting in 1991, involved volunteers arranging transportation for care recipients from across the island to attend the charity distribution event at the borrowed venue of Pao Kwan Fong Tang temple. This event was a rare opportunity for the mobility-impaired to socialise.
Today, the Charity Distribution Day has become an annual celebration, catering to the culturally diverse population of Singapore. It celebrates festive occasions for different ethnic groups, evolving from primarily serving the Chinese community to encompassing various races and religions. To ensure inclusivity, organizers now consider the specific needs and sensitivities of recipients from different backgrounds when planning the programmes and meals, hoping to create a welcoming atmosphere for all.
Caring for the elderly of every generation
In 1979, the Singapore Government launched the Senior Citizen’s Week to promote the virtue of respecting the elderly. After its establishment in 1993, Tzu Chi Singapore responded to the call by organising an annual “Respect the Elderly Day” for hundreds of elderly in nursing homes and those living alone, offering sumptuous meals and entertainment to bring them joy on that day.
After relocating to Chinatown in 1999, Tzu Chi noticed the significant number of elderly residents from Southern China who had moved to Singapore to earn a living in the past. Tzu Chi then formed a care group to visit and accompany the elderly living alone at their home, specially arranging for volunteers with relevant language skills to greet the elderly who only spoke their dialects.
With the local population aging rapidly, the government is actively encouraging local seniors to age at home. In 2019, Tzu Chi accepted the Ministry of Health’s appointment to establish two eldercare centres in Bukit Batok and Nanyang. These centres are well-equipped with nursing care facilities and alarm systems. They also provide a range of wellness programmes, including morning walks, interest groups, the Gymtonic programme, as well as regular physiotherapy services. The aim is to empower seniors to embrace an active and healthy lifestyle while remaining in the comfort of their homes.
Caring for the elderly of every generation
In 1979, the Singapore Government launched the Senior Citizen’s Week to promote the virtue of respecting the elderly. After its establishment in 1993, Tzu Chi Singapore responded to the call by organising an annual “Respect the Elderly Day” for hundreds of elderly in nursing homes and those living alone, offering sumptuous meals and entertainment to bring them joy on that day.
After relocating to Chinatown in 1999, Tzu Chi noticed the significant number of elderly residents from Southern China who had moved to Singapore to earn a living in the past. Tzu Chi then formed a care group to visit and accompany the elderly living alone at their home, specially arranging for volunteers with relevant language skills to greet the elderly who only spoke their dialects.
With the local population aging rapidly, the government is actively encouraging local seniors to age at home. In 2019, Tzu Chi accepted the Ministry of Health’s appointment to establish two eldercare centres in Bukit Batok and Nanyang. These centres are well-equipped with nursing care facilities and alarm systems. They also provide a range of wellness programmes, including morning walks, interest groups, the Gymtonic programme, as well as regular physiotherapy services. The aim is to empower seniors to embrace an active and healthy lifestyle while remaining in the comfort of their homes.
Bringing hopes to the dark corners of society
Besides helping disadvantaged families, Tzu Chi volunteers used to regularly visit nursing homes and charitable organizations, providing services like cleaning, massages, feeding, and distributing essentials to the residents. Although government-subsidised, these institutions lacked community attention and volunteer input.
As the national welfare system gradually improved and more people started volunteering, the facilities and social resources of these institutions were also slowly enhanced. Tzu Chi, recognising the shift and its own manpower constraints, gradually suspended institutional care. However, it was evident that there are areas that still lacked medical resources, particularly for bedridden patients.
In 2014, Singapore’s Tzu Chi International Medical Association (TIMA) partnered with Ren Ci Hospital to offer free dental consultations for residents. In 2018, the CASA-MODAL programme was initiated, providing nursing home residents with free dental screenings, initial diagnoses, and customised oral care solutions. The dental team also educates caregivers on basic oral health care to ensure residents receive proper care.
Accompanying children in their growing up years
“It’s not just giving money. It is a form of care that goes beyond financial support,” said a retired school principal after the Seeds of Hope Merit Award Ceremony.
When the financial tsunami hit local underprivileged families in 2008, Tzu Chi worked with schools to launch the Seeds of Hope Bursary Programme to cover transportation and meal expenses of school-going children, enabling them to attend school uninterrupted. At that time, Tzu Chi volunteers engaged with the children through home visits, inspiring bursary ceremonies, and monthly meal voucher distributions.
Children’s education was again hindered by the COVID-19 pandemic when classes switched online. Many families were caught off guard by the new paradigm of home-based learning. Tzu Chi raised funds to provide electronic devices such as Chromebooks for students from disadvantaged families and launched an online mentoring programme which offered “two-to-one” online mentoring to help children catch up with their studies.
Members of the Tzu Chi Teachers’ Association and Tzu Chi youths (a.k.a. Tzu Ching) attached particular importance to the quality of accompaniment and worked hard to overcome the challenges of the pandemic and planned offline activities with great dedication. From the children’s enthusiastic feedback and growth trajectory, we are glad to see the sprouting of seeds of goodness in the hearts of the young.
Accompanying children in their growing up years
“It’s not just giving money. It is a form of care that goes beyond financial support,” said a retired school principal after the Seeds of Hope Merit Award Ceremony.
When the financial tsunami hit local underprivileged families in 2008, Tzu Chi worked with schools to launch the Seeds of Hope Bursary Programme to cover transportation and meal expenses of school-going children, enabling them to attend school uninterrupted. At that time, Tzu Chi volunteers engaged with the children through home visits, inspiring bursary ceremonies, and monthly meal voucher distributions.
Children’s education was again hindered by the COVID-19 pandemic when classes switched online. Many families were caught off guard by the new paradigm of home-based learning. Tzu Chi raised funds to provide electronic devices such as Chromebooks for students from disadvantaged families and launched an online mentoring programme which offered “two-to-one” online mentoring to help children catch up with their studies.
Members of the Tzu Chi Teachers’ Association and Tzu Chi youths (a.k.a. Tzu Ching) attached particular importance to the quality of accompaniment and worked hard to overcome the challenges of the pandemic and planned offline activities with great dedication. From the children’s enthusiastic feedback and growth trajectory, we are glad to see the sprouting of seeds of goodness in the hearts of the young.
Forever present when major humanitarian aid is needed
Singapore is a stable and blessed society undisturbed by natural calamities. Whenever a major disaster strikes in other parts of the world, locals often turn to Tzu Chi for ways to donate to the disaster victims, which is a testament to the spirit of Singaporeans that is willing to help.
In 1991, Tzu Chi Singapore heeded the call of Master Cheng Yen to work with Tzu Chi volunteers around the world to raise funds for disaster relief. The first time a street fundraising was allowed in Singapore was in 1999 when Taiwan was hit by an earthquake on 12 September of the same year. Adhering to the stringent public fundraising regulations, Tzu Chi has now established a comprehensive fundraising operation and internal control procedures. Since 2016, it has been carrying out international humanitarian relief work through the newly established “Tzu Chi Merit Organization (Singapore)”.
“Be awakened to the lessons that disasters bring us.”
Tzu Chi Merit Organization (Singapore) has been upholding this spirit during street fundraising. The volunteers would give a ninety-degree bow to gather the love and kindness of people in the hope of reminding everyone to remain vigilant in times of peace and to cherish the blessed place we are in.
Charity is not an exclusive right of the rich; anyone with a willing heart can give.
Tzu Chi has brought together people from different social backgrounds who entered the community to personally help those in need.
Based on their recollections, let us revisit these beautiful moments!
Tzu Chi in Retrospect
Tzu Chi 30 x Aspiration
Tzu Chi 30 x Aspiration
Tzu Chi Singapore has turned 30!
We are grateful to the countless people who have walked with Tzu Chi from its humble beginnings.
Under the theme of “Celebrating 30 Years of Serving with Compassion”, we invite everyone to review our past and look forward to the future with us.
Tzu Chi Singapore has turned 30!
We are grateful to the countless people who have walked with Tzu Chi from its humble beginnings.
Under the theme of “Celebrating 30 Years of Serving with Compassion”, we invite everyone to review our past and look forward to the future with us.
The copper-yellow design shaped like the Chinese character “人” represents a crossing of boundaries and a tree with deep roots.
Interacting and serving people with pure and uncontaminated love is the essence of the humanistic values cherished by Tzu Chi.
In today’s global environment of climate crisis and divisive conflict, Tzu Chi, as a member of civil society organisations, is willing to take up the task to surpass any boundary and courageously shoulder the responsibility of our times.
We will continue to unite everyone to share good thoughts and do good deeds to protect our homeland and perpetuate love and compassion in our Lion City.
The copper-yellow design shaped like the Chinese character “人” represents a crossing of boundaries and a tree with deep roots.
Interacting and serving people with pure and uncontaminated love is the essence of the humanistic values cherished by Tzu Chi.
In today’s global environment of climate crisis and divisive conflict, Tzu Chi, as a member of civil society organisations, is willing to take up the task to surpass any boundary and courageously shoulder the responsibility of our times.
We will continue to unite everyone to share good thoughts and do good deeds to protect our homeland and perpetuate love and compassion in our Lion City.