April 17, 2024
Love beyond religion: Tzu Chi’s way of spreading love for all
By Marella Saldonido
“Pure and sincere love is the force behind world harmony and humanity’s hope.”
Dharma Master Cheng Yen’s teachings and wise words through aphorisms are filled with inspiring messages that transcend the boundaries of race, religion, and all kinds of differences that divide humanity. Guided by her wisdom, Tzu Chi volunteers all over the world are able to spread love and compassion to people coming from different faiths and backgrounds.
From April 4 to 6, Tzu Chi Philippines’ 262nd medical mission in Isulan, Sultan Kudarat, catered to thousands of patients seeking medical assistance in general medicine, pediatrics, ophthalmology, dental medicine, and surgery. Among the beneficiaries of the mission were hundreds of Muslim patients, who were warmly welcomed by Tzu Chi volunteers.
After having trouble sleeping for 14 years since her father’s unexpected passing in 2010, Muslim patient Minda Ramos finally found out that she was suffering from a severe case of insomnia through her consultations in the medical mission.
Shouldering the responsibility of being the breadwinner of her family and taking care of her seven siblings is what she suspects to be the main cause of her condition. “Even when my eyes are closed, my mind still wanders, thinking about how I can raise my siblings,” shares Minda.
A volunteer doctor prescribed some sleeping pills and vitamins to ease her sleeping problems, which she was immensely grateful for. However, the medicine she needed was not available in the medical mission’s pharmacy. “The doctor told me that the medicine she was about to recommend might not be available here, but I didn’t lose hope,” she shares as she recalls her consultation from the day before. “But Alhamdulillah! (Praise God!) I met a Tzu Chi volunteer who was willing to help me buy the medicine, and I was so happy.”
Tzu Chi volunteer and pharmacy head Rosa So made sure that Minda would not go home empty-handed, as she believes that helping one person can create a ripple of kindness. Local volunteers were then asked to buy Minda’s medicine, which she received the next day.
“I know she is a Muslim, so I told her to keep praying to Allah until she got better,” says Rosa.
The volunteers’ kind words and gestures touched Minda’s heart. “I didn’t feel any difference with how we were treated. They took care and entertained all kinds of people.”
The medical mission would also not have been possible without the help of Muslim volunteers.
After being introduced to the foundation by Tzu Chi volunteer Grace Austria, whom she works for as a personal assistant, Norfahijah Lopez started joining Tzu Chi’s missions in Davao. During the flooding disaster in Davao del Norte in February of this year, Norfahijah volunteered to help distribute relief goods to the victims.
“I was very impressed with the amount of help they were able to give,” says Norfahijah. “They were able to help not just one, but several families in need.”
With the enthusiasm to further her involvement and hopefully become a Tzu Chi volunteer someday, Norfahijah continues to take part in volunteer activities. At the medical mission, she distributed medicines to dental patients.
“I was able to endure the heat because just being able to help my fellow Muslims, as well as people from different religions, makes me very happy.”
For Norfahijah, it is a great opportunity to be a part of an organization that reaches out to people from various backgrounds without discrimination. “I admire how open they are to helping everyone, whether they are Muslim or whatever religion. They do not choose who they help.”
Tzu Chi volunteers also expressed their love and care for the people through food. Tzu Chi staff and volunteers tirelessly worked in the kitchen to provide healthy vegetarian food and snacks to patients and volunteers in the provincial gymnasium and hospital.
The Sultan Kudarat local government represented by Ma. Cristina Tugas of the Budget Office also provided some fresh fruits and local delicacies for everyone to enjoy.
During this time, Muslim patients and volunteers who were celebrating Ramadan and were fasting from dawn to dusk took home some food and ate after sundown.
“I’d like to thank Tzu Chi for helping so many of us here. Not just me, but the whole Sultan Kudarat,” says Muslim patient Minda Ramos. 【Photo by Marella Saldonido】
Tzu Chi volunteer and pharmacy head Rosa So (right) gladly hands over Minda Ramos’ medicines. 【Photo by Marella Saldonido】
Minda Ramos excitedly shows the free medicines she received. “This is truly a big help for me. They gave me this medicine for my headaches and sleeping problems, and vitamins that will probably last for a month.” 【Photo by Marella Saldonido】
Minda Ramos (left) returns the kindness by donating to the foundation to help more people in need. 【Photo by Marella Saldonido】
“Thank you very much for being so open to helping all kinds of people. I hope that your loving kindness reaches more people in need all over the world,” says Muslim volunteer Norfahijah Lopez. 【Photo by Marella Saldonido】
Norfahijah Lopez hands over the form to a dental patient. 【Photo by Matt Serrano】
Norfahijah Lopez (left) was introduced to the foundation by Tzu Chi volunteer Grace Austria (right). 【Photo by Marella Saldonido】
Norfahijah Lopez briefs the patients about the prescribed medicines. 【Photo by Marella Saldonido】
Norfahijah Lopez participated in Tzu Chi Davao’s flood relief distribution in Davao del Norte in February 2024. 【Photo by Tzu Chi Davao】
Local Muslim volunteers take part in the 262nd medical mission in Isulan, Sultan Kudarat. 【Photo by Nancy Ang】
Local Muslim volunteers take part in the 262nd medical mission in Isulan, Sultan Kudarat. 【Photo by Marella Saldonido】
Local Muslim volunteers take part in the 262nd medical mission in Isulan, Sultan Kudarat. 【Photo by Marella Saldonido】
Many Muslim patients were accommodated in the 262nd medical mission in Isulan, Sultan Kudarat. 【Photo by Marella Saldonido】
Many Muslim patients were accommodated in the 262nd medical mission in Isulan, Sultan Kudarat. 【Photo by Matt Serrano】
Many Muslim patients were accommodated in the 262nd medical mission in Isulan, Sultan Kudarat. 【Photo by Matt Serrano】
Many Muslim patients were accommodated in the 262nd medical mission in Isulan, Sultan Kudarat. 【Photo by Matt Serrano】
Many Muslim patients were accommodated in the 262nd medical mission in Isulan, Sultan Kudarat. 【Photo by Marella Saldonido】
Tzu Chi volunteers also prepared and distributed healthy vegetarian food and snacks during the medical mission. Muslim patients and volunteers fasting from dawn to dusk during Ramadan took home some food and ate after sundown. 【Photo by Chun Chun Chong】
Tzu Chi volunteers also prepared and distributed healthy vegetarian food and snacks during the medical mission. Muslim patients and volunteers fasting from dawn to dusk during Ramadan took home some food and ate after sundown. 【Photo by Chun Chun Chong】
Tzu Chi volunteers also prepared and distributed healthy vegetarian food and snacks during the medical mission. Muslim patients and volunteers fasting from dawn to dusk during Ramadan took home some food and ate after sundown. 【Photo by Chun Chun Chong】
The Sultan Kudarat local government represented by Ma. Cristina Tugas of the Budget Office also brought fresh fruits and some of the province’s local delicacies during the medical mission. 【Photo by Violy Chua】
The Sultan Kudarat local government represented by Ma. Cristina Tugas of the Budget Office also brought fresh fruits and some of the province’s local delicacies during the medical mission. 【Photo by Nancy Ang】