July 30, 2024
Volunteers unite for kindness in Tzu Chi’s Typhoon Carina, monsoon relief operations
By Sydney Alipao
After the persistent heavy rains caused by the southwest monsoon enhanced by Typhoon Carina (Gaemi) drenched and flooded most areas in Metro Manila and its nearby towns on July 24, Tzu Chi Foundation took initial actions to provide relief to affected people.
The relentless rains displaced more than a million individuals who lost their homes and took away the lives of 36 people, according to the report of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC). Due to the immense storms that caused storeys-high floods, even Metro Manila was placed under a state of calamity.
On July 25, Tzu Chi volunteers worked together in groups, visiting affected areas in Marikina, Tondo, San Mateo, and Montalban to survey the damages brought by the monsoon rains and assess the conditions of the residents and the areas during and after the flooding.
In line with Tzu Chi’s disaster relief actions, volunteers gathered at the Buddhist Tzu Chi Campus from July 27 to help in repacking relief goods to be distributed to hard-hit areas. They were in charge of sorting, folding and arranging the donated clothes into sets that contain jogging pants, pairs of tops and pants, and undergarments.
Tzu Chi volunteer Levy Yao participated in sorting the donated undergarments. “Many were greatly affected by the strong typhoon so we helped here in repacking old clothes and undergarments that are still new. These were donated by people with kind hearts,” Yao said.
Ensuring that the donated items reach beneficiaries neatly packaged, the volunteers arranged these clothing items in sets. “Now, we are preparing the goods that are needed to be packed for the relief day. We are making time and effort to help,” Yao added.
Current Tzu Chi scholars offered their helping hands in arranging the donated items. Mark Vincent Dayang joined the relief operations as he views volunteerism as a way of showing connectedness and love to his fellow Filipinos.
“My presence here is proof that Tzu Chi’s lessons on compassion touch the hearts of scholars like me, resulting in our motivation to help others in need,” said Dayang. “I want to spread these lessons through helping others,” he added.
On the other hand, former scholars showcased their belief in the domino effect of the kindness that they experienced with Tzu Chi Foundation.
Gerdi Liza Nufable, a former Tzu Chi Technical Vocational scholar for welding, was present on the first day of the relief preparations. According to Nufable, her participation is not just a form of giving back to the foundation, but also a way to show the compassion she received from Tzu Chi.
“This volunteering opportunity is not just a blessing to us who are here, but most especially to those people who will benefit from this relief operation,” Nufable said.
Also with Nufable was her former co-scholar, Hilda Catubay, who traveled from Bagong Silang, Caloocan City to help in repacking the relief goods. “This is my way of returning Tzu Chi’s blessing to us—through volunteering and helping others,” Catubay said.
Other enthusiastic volunteers also supported Tzu Chi’s efforts in helping people in need after the typhoon Carina and the southwest monsoon onslaught.
Marita Lestierre is not a stranger to volunteer work. Immediately after hearing about Tzu Chi’s initiative to repack relief goods, she looked into how she could help.
Lestierre learned about Tzu Chi’s call for volunteers to pack goods for the families affected by the Typhoon Carina-enhanced monsoon from a friend on social media. She assisted in sorting the donated clothes.
When asked what motivated her to join the relief action, Lestierre bared that volunteering is linked to her as she is a “volunteer by heart.”
“I am a volunteer by heart. I always volunteer, I am a medical volunteer in non-government organizations. It is a habit of mine to volunteer in different organizations,” Lestierre shared.
The dedication of Tzu Chi volunteers, happy volunteers, and scholars resulted in an inspiring team effort in preparing for the relief operations that will help families affected by the recent typhoon Carina-enhanced monsoon.
Tzu Chi’s disaster relief action is part of its mission in aiding the needs and providing compassion and relief to those in need.
Volunteers work in different stations sorting clothes of the same kind and packing them as a set.
Clothing for children and undergarments are sorted by volunteers.
A volunteer helps in folding the sorted clothes.
Tzu Chi volunteer Levy Yao works in her station, sorting clothes for the beneficiaries.
Marita Lestierre (right) and a volunteer assess the pack of donated undergarments.
Marita Lestierre monitors the items on her station.
Scholars are also present in sorting donated goods.
Marikina volunteers pack sets of eating utensils.
Marikina volunteers pack sets of eating utensils.
Tzu Chi Technical Vocational scholars and happy volunteers pose for a photo while folding the donated pillowcases.
A Tzu Chi volunteer works hard as she sorts and folds clothing for the relief operations.
Each set of packed clothes include jogging pants, clothing for male and female adults, children’s wear, and undergarments.
Volunteers neatly secure sets of clothes ready for distribution.
Volunteers neatly secure sets of clothes ready for distribution.
The pile of arranged and sorted clothes ready for distribution to hard-hit areas.