 | While a number of Tzu Chi volunteers were busy in the Tondo General Hospital for follow-up surgeries of indigent patients, around 133 volunteers stayed in the Tzu Chi Great Love Campus to welcome our guests for the event “Kumustahan Tayo”.
“Kumustahan Tayo” is a gathering of Tzu Chi beneficiaries and the Tzu Chi volunteers. The Tzu Chi beneficiaries are families that Tzu Chi has helped or are still currently being helped either through financial, scholarship or medical assistance.
This was the first time that the foundation organized such an event. The event was also graced by Tzu Chi medical volunteers who treated the beneficiaries’ medical conditions. The event provided the beneficiaries and the medical volunteers an opportunity to meet again and express their gratitude to one another --- the beneficiaries, for the doctors’ skillful treatment of their illnesses and the doctors, for the beneficiaries’ allowing them the opportunity to serve.
Tzu Chi provided the utmost care by assigning volunteers to fetch the beneficiaries from their homes. As early as 9:00 am, the 52 beneficiaries and their families have started trickling in. Upon entering the venue, warmth, care and respect were already exuded as volunteers and beneficiaries exchanged “hellos” and “kumusta ka?” At the same time, the beneficiaries all exclaimed “miss na miss kita!” to volunteers who took care of them. Most beneficiaries probably didn’t have the time to thank some of the volunteers who were with them while they were confined in the hospitals or while they were facing life crises and so, they were very happy to see them again.
Around 10am, the program was officially started with the introduction of how Tzu Chi started. Brother Edward related how Master Cheng Yen painstakingly established the Tzu Chi Foundation and how she inspired millions of volunteers over the next 40 years. He also shared the 3 vows of Master Cheng Yen: to purify human hearts, to harmonize society, and to free the world from disasters and thus inviting everyone to join in the volunteer work and learn more about Tzu Chi.
The program was followed by Tzu Chi scholars who performed lively sign language. Apart from performing, the scholars also helped in receiving guests and in moving things around. The scholars, helped and supported by Tzu Chi, have quickly moved in pace with the Tzu Chi volunteers’ steps of Great Love and service by volunteering themselves.
The event also had a gratitude time. The patients of Dr. Charles Cuaso and Dr. Josefino Qua all went up the stage and presented both doctors with flowers to express their sincerest gratitude. Dr. Cuaso sent his good wishes for all the patients and said, “You are all very blessed to receive help from Tzu Chi because Tzu Chi gives without asking for anything in return.”
The program was followed by more patients and Tzu Chi volunteer doctors meeting each other once again. Some patients who had to go up the stage for the first time were shaking while they held on to the microphone and tried to express their gratitude to the doctors and the volunteers. The doctors, on the other hand, felt the sincerity of the Tzu Chi beneficiaries and shared that they are there for the patients because they were also were inspired by the foundation. One young doctor shared, “Seeing today’s event has made me deeply realize that I had made the right decision then, when I decided to become a doctor.”
The birthday celebrants of August were also asked to go up the stage. With the song, “Each Day This Year,” the Tzu Chi volunteers wished everyone who had undergone hardships and suffering to experience joy and contentment. Dr. Joe Qua, whose birthday falls on August 30, was also on the stage and he knelt down to share the blowing of the cake with the other patients and volunteers. As they sliced the cake, everyone hoped that their wishes would come true.
The Kitchen Committee really outdid themselves this time, and provided everyone with the most delicious and healthy meals. The Welfare Committee served the guests with a smile and everyone was delighted with the good food and good company.
The event was more than a mere social gathering. It was a celebration of the beautiful relationship between Tzu Chi and the beneficiaries that it loves very dearly. Words cannot truly capture the magic and joy that the event exuded; one would have to be there in order to fully understand how the small things that Tzu Chi does significantly impacts the lives of the less fortunate. The feeling of seeing so many smiles and happy faces all around for just one moment made all the efforts and sacrifices of the volunteers all the more worthwhile. Truly, “Kumustahan Tayo” was a huge success. Friendships were formed and renewed to surely last a lifetime.
Also we would like to give special thanks to the volunteer doctors because everything would not have been possible without them. Dr. Josefino Qua, Dr. Charles Cuaso, Dr. Edward Lim, Dr. Karen Reyes and Dr. Gladness Martinez all did a wonderful job and selflessly devoted their time and effort for a great cause. We would also like to recognize Ms. Cristy Hangod of St. Luke’s Medical Center and Ms. Daisy Espaldon of the Jose Reyes Memorial Medical Center for their tireless work on this project. Each and everyone of them contributed a significant part in this success and touched the lives of our less fortunate brothers and sisters in ways that they will never forget for the rest of their lives.
The event although just lasting a few hours, provided an opportunity for hearts to move closer and the feeling of warmth and care to dwell inside the hearts of all those who came, beneficiaries and volunteers alike. All the guest-beneficiaries felt the “gratitude, respect and love” of the Tzu Chi volunteers. They hoped that one day from their palms facing up and receiving help from others, they will become people whose palms are facing down and are able to help others. |