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Welcome to Da Ai Headlines.
I'm Anthony Carlisle.
Thank you for joining us.

< Treatment for novice Burmese nuns >
< Hospital treat for proud grandmother >
< Railway heroes keep trains on track >

Coming up in today's show, volunteer medical workers treat over 70 novice Buddhist nuns at a school in Myanmar.
A proud grandmother in hospital with cancer gets to see the granddaughter in her care receive a scholarship award.
And we meet two award-winning railway staff in Taiwan, who work through public holidays, so passengers can get home for family reunions.

1.Volunteer doctor helps novice nuns
2.TIMA outreach medical program
3.Cerebral palsy sufferer a happy recycler
4.Care for solitary senior with bad leg
5.Student gets award by grandma's bed
6.Volunteering eases Zheng-Qiu's pain
7.Giving a helping hand
8.Giving to the poor, from the poor
9.Treasuring our resources
10.Railway heroes
END：Vegi offerings for ghost month


1.Volunteer doctor helps novice nuns

But we start today's show in Myanmar, with a visit to the Buddhist Khaymayama(柯瑪雅娜) Nunnery School. Lacking a ready supply of water, many of the novice nuns at the school suffer from skin infections. It is impossible to take them all to the nearest clinic, so local volunteer and doctor Tin Mar Htet(丁瑪特) has been going to the nunnery with fellow medical professionals to treat the novices since January of this year. We went to Myanmar to see how she was getting along.

< Free clinics at Khaymayama Nunnery >

Twice a month without fail volunteer doctor Tin Mar Htet(丁瑪特) is rushed off her feet.

Doctor, Tin Mar Htet :" They have skin infections on the leg, on the foot, on the head. (I asked) other doctors to please come, to please help me. And they did."

< Doctor overcomes language barrier >

Tin Mar Htet's colleagues now help share the work at Khaymayama(柯瑪雅娜) Nunnery School. Since many of the novices come from the mountains, and cannot speak Burmese, communication is still a problem, but Dr. Tin Mar Htet says a Jing Si aphorism gives her strength.

" People have limitless potential. Don't look down on yourself. "

Doctor, Tin Mar Htet :" This is the one I like. When I hear these words, I have so many abilities, and, yes, energy."

< 70 novice nuns treated >

Today, 70 novice nuns receive treatment for skin complains and coughs. The abbess says she is grateful for the assistance.

Khaymayama Nunnery School abbess, Sandar Malar :" Tzu Chi volunteers coming here to organize a free clinic event is a great help, because there are a lot of novice nuns here. If we want them to see a doctor, we can only take one or two at a time. "

< 9 months of service from growing team >

Over the nine months since doctors started coming to the nunnery, the volunteer team has steadily grown in numbers.

Doctor, U Hla Kyin:" For you volunteers to come from overseas to help makes me feel, as a Burmese person, that I should help too."


2.TIMA outreach medical program

Tzu Chi's International Medical Association, also known as TIMA, works to bring healthcare to areas that lack easy access to hospitals and doctors. Recently, TIMA held a free clinic for residents of Gongliao Township (貢寮), in the north of Taiwan. The region has insufficient healthcare facilities, and a visit to the doctor means a long journey that is often beyond elderly residents. Fortunately, TIMA has been taking its mobile free clinics to Gongliao for the past 9 years. At the latest event, dentistry, optometry, internal medicine, and Chinese medicine were available for 217 patients.

< Looks can be deceiving >

The blue ruffling waves and white sandy beaches of Gongliao Township(貢寮) is a paradise anyone would appreciate.

Sadly beyond the beauty the residents do not have sufficient medical care. Yet, Tzu Chi volunteers have been making up for the inadequacy over the past nine years.

" She is 90 years old. Already 90? She is a recycling volunteer."

< Garnering the community's trust >

Volunteers have formed an unbreakable friendship with the people within a span of nearly a decade.

TIMA doctor, Huang Zhengchang :
" Is it hot."
" Yes."
" If you come back for treatment, make sure to be re-examined by a doctor okay? You have to take good care of your body."

< A compassionate individual >

The considerate doctor is Huang Zhengchang (黃正昌), who is a stroke survivor and vowed to contribute his medical skills after he recovered. In addition to working on the offshore islands of Kinmen and Penghu, Zheng is also lighting up the people's lives here.

Volunteer doctor, Huang Zhengchang :" I'm treating the patients to the best of my abilities through my experiences."

< 100 percent dedication >

Dr. Huang is modest in front of the camera, but when it comes to curing patients, he is very confident.

< Sweet music for the heart and soul >

Patients are also in for a special treat. While they wait to be examined or to retrieve their prescription, people can unwind to the lull of the Chinese zither.

Volunteer, Gong Xinying :" When the grandpas and grandmas are listening to the music, they forget about the pain from their illness. This is the same when they're waiting to pickup their medicine. As long as there is music to let them sing, to make them feel better, so I believe this is a very good thing."

< Nursing people back to health >

Thus, Tzu Chi's free clinic is giving the 217 patients a clean bill of health with a humanitarian touch.

Sep 8, On Peace and Love
Good health and safe shelter are all anyone needs. However, human desire is bottomless; there is always the desire for more, and this cycle is what damages our world.


3.Cerebral palsy sufferer a happy recycler

Our next story takes us to Dali City in Taichung, Taiwan, where one cerebral palsy sufferer, Chen Shangbin (陳上彬) says he feels at home whenever he is on his recycling duties. The volunteer is even willing to take time off from work, just to lend a hand at his local environmental station. Last year, after he lost all his savings playing the stock market, he became suicidal. However, by volunteering for the planet, Chen has rediscovered some of his lost happiness.


< Tricycle as his pick up truck >

This tricycle from Tzu Chi's Dongda Grounds will tonight, as on every night, take Chen Shangbin (陳上彬) around the neighborhood on his recycling duties at night. Lights have been fitted on the vehicle to guide the way.

Tzu Chi volunteer, Chen Shangbin :" I pick up things from people and take them home, and then send them to the recycling station. I do it every day."

An auto mechanic, Chen works during the day and spends his night gathering cast-offs. He even takes a day off whenever his help is needed, with the support of his boss.

Chen Shangbin's boss, Yu Guoyang: " He didn't have any family and grew up on his own, so being part of Tzu Chi is like being part of a family."

" I'm moved by the fact that he is always here to help us with recycling."
" Why do you put Tzu Chi above work?"
" Because it makes me happy."

Due to cerebral palsy, Chen's left leg is weak, but it doesn't slow him down. He became a recycling volunteer after he first saw a Tzu Chi recycling truck on the street. Chen says, he joined after seeing, on Da Ai TV program, how happy people are when they do recycling; he says, it is just as true for him.

Tzu Chi volunteer, Chen Shangbin :" The volunteer sisters took me to the Dongda Grounds. You can sell the recyclables after you spruce them up. I really like the idea."

Even though he lost most of his savings in the stock market last year-pushing him to the brink of taking his own life-- Chen is now at peace with himself, as he dons second hand clothing and devotes himself to environmental work.


4.Care for solitary senior with bad leg

We go to Taichung's Dongshi Township for our next story, to meet solitary senior Li Huai(李淮). For the past decade, a wound on his left calf has been festering away. The infection is not helped by the dirt and clutter that fills the 83-year-old's home. In June of this year, Mr. Li's neighborhood leader informed Tzu Chi about his case, and local volunteers came to tidy up the senior's home, and take him to hospital. The caring and compassionate volunteers touched Mr. Li's heart, and left him with a clean and tidy home, and an improving bill of health.

< 83-year-old Li Huai's gangrenous leg >

This is 83-year-old Li Huai(李淮). Wearing a white shirt and navy pants, he seems in good health, but lifting up his trouser leg he reveals a festering wound on his left calf. Tzu Chi volunteers kneel down and gently apply ointment.

" Does it hurt? "
" No."

The seriously infected wound has plagued the senior for over a decade, after he failed to properly take care of a scar from varicous vein surgery.

< Treatment finally after over 10 years >

Refusing to see a doctor, he finally relented after Tzu Chi volunteers started visiting him in June.

Tzu Chi volunteer, Chen Cuijuan :" We told him, your leg will be useless, and may have to be amputated. Perhaps that scared him. So we told him we'd take him immediately to see a doctor."

< Volunteers clean Li Huai's home >

On their visit, the volunteers also found Mr. Li's home in a chaotic state. The kitchen fan and sink, as well as the walls and floor, were coated in grease. But Tzu Chi volunteers soon got to work.

< Teamwork gets job done in over 2 hours >

Scrubbing away the filth with detergent, wiping the windows with a cloth, and sweeping away the cobwebs with a long broom - by working together as a team the volunteers tidy up Mr. Li's home in just over two hours.

Solitary senior, Li Huai:" Beautiful, beautiful. It's never been this clean."

Tzu Chi volunteer. Chen Cuijuan :" Mr. Li trusts us. Our sincerity really touched him."

< Clean house, uncluttered soul >

As well as brightening up Mr. Li's home, the volunteers give him some spiritual enlightenment by putting a Jing Si aphorism on the clean wall, and handing the senior a charity collection box.

Tzu Chi volunteer, Zeng Xiuxia :" Tzu Chi went to the United Nations and said, wherever there is disaster, Tzu Chi people will go to help."

< Solitary senior no longer alone >

Moved by the kindness of the volunteers, Mr. Li smiling says, he will try to take better care of himself in the future. The solitary senior also says he will do his best to help other people in need.

5.Student gets award by grandma's bed

Senior citizen Chen Zaozhi(陳早枝) is a guardian to her granddaughter Xiao Yi (小宜). The 70-year-old, who was recently hospitalized with liver cancer, liked nothing better than seeing her granddaughter pick up school awards. So, when Xiao Yi became a scholarship recipient yet again this year, the local NGO, the Taiwan Fund for Children and Families, organized the award ceremony at the hospital, so the pair could celebrate together.

< Grandmother's proudest moment >

" Give grandma a kiss."

Xiao Yi(小宜) shares good news with her grandmother, for this year, she won a scholarship again.

" Grandma get better soon, I want to be a teacher when I grow up."

< A devoted guardian >

The grandmother and grandchild only have each other to count on, so it was a blow to Chen Zaozhi(陳早枝阿嬤) )when she fell ill with liver cancer several years ago. Yet, somehow, Chen always managed to attend the parent-child activities held by the Taiwan Fund for Children and Families with Xiao Yi, until recently when Chen's condition grew worse. To uplift her spirits, TFCF held the award ceremony at the hospital ward.

" I hope she will study hard, just focus and excel."

Chang Gung Hospital doctor, Huang Zhifang :" We were worried and asked her first. So she was aware reporters would be here to film her granddaughter when the award was granted."

< More unforgettable memories to come >

The special occasion is another memento for the grandmother and granddaughter. Although, Chen is in pain and finds it hard to talk; she said Xiao Yi's unfaltering support and encouragement have done her proud.

6.Volunteering eases Zheng-Qiu's pain

Go to any Tzu Chi environmental station, and you will see volunteers overcoming illness and disability to sort recyclables. For example, in the Zhongli area, volunteer Zheng-Qiu Yurong (鄭邱玉容) has long assumed responsibility for providing the recycling station volunteers with hot vegetarian lunches. With her easy smile and dedication to her work, few people realize that she has undergone more than ten major surgeries for kidney problems. Yurong says, when she is home, she suffers aches and pains; but while she is volunteering, she forgets about all her troubles, and focuses on the happiness around her.


< Discomfort never ends >

At the recycling station preparing food for volunteers, Mrs. Zheng-Qiu Yurong has always felt that whatever she can give is a blessing. It is hard to see that, beneath her smile, she is a woman in a lot of pain.

Yurong contracted a malignant tumor in her kidney, and has only recently completed surgeries to remove it; she is still eating handfuls of medicine.

Tzu Chi volunteer, Zheng-Qiu Yurong :" These are my pain-killers. Some are painkillers, some control dizziness - which is a problem - Some are to control my blood-pressure. Some are for blood-pressure emergencies."

< 10 major surgeries >

Sister Yurong says that she has always been sickly; since her childhood, she has undergone a dozen major surgeries - and even now, she is not cured. The pain never really leaves her.

Tzu Chi volunteer, Zheng-Qiu Yurong :" I've just always thought, don't let the illness get the better of you. Don't let the pain keep you down."

< Spiritual service, spiritual submission >

Volunteering is a sort of spiritual submission; Yurong says that Tzu Chi has helped her out of severe depression.

Tzu Chi volunteer, Zheng-Qiu Yurong :" After I had just moved here, my mother-in-law was sick, and my husband, and my children didn't have any work. It was just insufferable pressure."

Sister Yurong kept the aphorism that so urged her to join Tzu Chi for many years.

Tzu Chi volunteer, Zheng-Qiu Yurong :" The Jing Si aphorism says "Even a heart of the best intentions needs to actually do something." If you don't, then it's just as if you've never done anything at all."

< Aphorisms posted everywhere >

At her beauty salon, Jing Si Aphorisms are posted everywhere, as well as a row of honors. All are testament to Sister Yurong's dedicated and free haircutting services on behalf of orphans, the disabled, and the elderly.

Tzu Chi volunteer, Zheng-Qiu Yurong :" Since I can't help out by donating money, I've got skills that are useful for people. So why wouldn't I help?"

< Not much money doesn't mean not much love >

Sister Yurong remembers that when she was young, her family struggled to get by. So to be able to help others, now, is something that makes her happy enough to close her shop, and absorb the small losses, so she may share her joy with ever more people, all now like family.


靜思語：有毅力、勇敢，坎坷的道路也能走到平坦。
With perseverance and courage, the roughest roads can become smooth.

7.Giving a helping hand

The rough road to recovery after Typhoon Morakot is becoming smoother, now that the Changzhi Da Ai Baihe Settlement is providing safe and secure homes for flood survivors in Pingtung County. Tzu Chi volunteers have been promoting conservation work throughout the community, and some 30 households have responded, by putting aside their recyclable waste, for volunteers to collect. We went to southern Taiwan to take a closer look.

< Collecting recyclables every week >

Recycling volunteer, Ye Xiuhui is driving around Da Ai Baihe Settlement in her recycling truck, collecting recyclables door to door, and promoting conservation work.

Tzu Chi volunteer, Ye Xiuhui :" Now, Master Cheng Yen is promoting "Clean Up Recycling at the Source", which means to return these things when and where we first purchase them, first rinsing the bottles after we have finished drinking it. "

Ye Xiuhui's sincere attitude and encouragement are slowly persuading residents to join in the work. Within a month of moving into the settlement, 30 households have begun reserving their recyclables.

Da Ai Baihe Settlement resident, Ba Wuxin :" She gave me a basket and put it over there. If I have recyclables, I will put it in there. "

Tzu Chi volunteer, Ye Xiuhui :" I have been coming around since the beginning, and am more familiar with everyone now. Where-ever there's a basket means that household has recyclables for Tzu Chi. "

< The importance of conservation >

At a set time every week, Ye Xiuhui goes around the community and collects recyclables. Many residents not only recognize her truck, and bring out their unwanted waste, but also understand the importance of caring for our environment.

Da Ai Baihe Settlement resident, Bao Qingying :" The environment will be very clean, and the recyclables are reusable. For example, this plastic bottle can be reused. "

Tzu Chi volunteer, Ye Xiuhui :" I encourage them, while also trying to find a set location for them to gather all the unwanted waste, and teach them how to sort recyclables. "

< Safeguarding our planet together >

Working to spread environmental ideas, Ye Xiuhui hopes that the Da Ai Baihe Settlement serves not only as a safe and secure home for residents, but also as a place that safeguards our planet.

8.Giving to the poor, from the poor

From Baihe to another housing community for Typhoon Morakot survivors - in Shanlin Township of Kaohsiung County. As we find out in our next story, the neighborhood gets visited by its very own team of volunteers, who tend to the needs of the residents. One of their charges is Mr. Jiang, who is unable to work to support his family, because he is a victim of polio. However, every month, Mr. Jiang sets aside a portion of the subsidy he gets from Tzu Chi, to donate it back to the NGO, to help the poor. Volunteers say, it's a noble gesture, that shows how love still shines through even in times of need.

< Polio sufferer receiving Tzu Chi's care >

51-year-old Mr. Jiang is delighted to receive the Tzu Chi volunteers. A survivor of polio since the age of four, Mr. Jiang's health has debilitated with age, and he relies heavily on drugs to get by.

" How many times do you go to the hospital in a month?"
" At least once. "
" And we do a blood test every three months."

< Taking nothing for granted >

Mr. Jiang's old home in Kaohsiung County's Liugui Township was destroyed during the 8/8 floods last year. Now a resident of Tzu Chi's permanent housing, the frugal man takes nothing for granted.

Tzu Chi volunteer :" He took out a light bulb to save energy."

He puts bottles in the toilet's water tank to save water. When I shower, he always asks me to use a pan to catch the water so it doesn't go to waste.

< Unemployed, but still donates >

Even though he is currently unemployed, Mr. Jiang insists on contributing a part of his monthly subsidy from Tzu Chi to the Foundation's charity work.

" If it's not too much trouble for Sister Guo to come..."
" It's no trouble at all! We'll come every month to collect the donation from you. "
" By all means!"

< Giving thanks for Tzu Chi's love >

The newly inspired donor says that Tzu Chi is like his family, giving him love and support without asking anything in return.

Shanlin Da Ai Community resident, Mr. Jiang :" All I can say is thank you. Thank you. "


9.Treasuring our resources

Staying onto the topic of conservation in Taiwan, Tainan City Environmental Protection Bureau has a golden pavilion antique shop where they store second-hand furniture. The sanitary team use their creativity to fix up unwanted furniture, thrown away by members of the public, and turn it into something useful again. The results are then sold, for a very cheap price, so you can save money, and save the planet at the same time.

< A great bargain >

These rattan chairs originally cost more than 30 USD each, but now they are on sale for only 2 USD, making it a great bargain.

Tainan City EPB deputy director, Lin Jiansan :" Someone threw them away; we think they are still usable so we recycled them. After fixing them up, we can use them again. If the recyclables cannot be used, we will use part of the materials and make something out of it. "

< As good as new >

Here at Tainan's Environmental Protection Bureau, the sanitary team members have become carpenters, not only giving old and unwanted furniture a new look, but for the furniture that has historic meaning, the government authority even keeps them for collection purposes.

< Member of the public >

To use what we originally have and make it into an even better item, I think it's valuable.

Tainan City EPB deputy director, Lin Jiansan :" Sustainable resources can be reused. Members of the public can also bring broken items and we will fix them up for a real cheap price. "

< Sustainability through recycling >

With creativity and some skills, what seems broken can be fixed and reused, making resources both sustainable and recyclable.

10.Railway heroes

The Taiwan Railway company serves its customers from the break of day until late into the night, all year round. In our next story, we introduce you to two railway station staff, Liu Qingyao(劉慶耀) and Chen Shixian(陳士賢), who are wholeheartedly committed to their work. For many years, these two have relinquished the most important holiday in Taiwan - Chinese New Year - to work at their posts, to make sure customers can be with their families for the annual reunion. Both Liu and Chen say, that for them, getting passengers safely home is their greatest reward.

< On duty for Chinese New Year >

Almost always bustling with travelers, the Nanzi train station in Kaohsiung is the pride of junior officer Liu Qingyao (劉慶耀) who has served here for 40 years. It is also the reason that, for so many years Liu has not been able to go home on the evening of the Chinese New Year, for a traditional reunion dinner with his family.

Nanzi Station junior officer, Liu Qingyao :" I'm on my post even during the New Years; it's hard work, but someone has to do it. "

" Do you miss your husband when he doesn't get to go home? "

Liu Qingyao's wife:" Well, that's one of the job requirements. We've gotten used to it already."

< 8/8 disaster flooded Linbian station >

Just like Liu Qingyao, Linbian station's deputy station master Chen Shixian (陳士賢) knows no holidays. Last year, when the 8/8 disaster hit, Linbian station was submerged deep in water, and the staff were stranded until the next day, when a fire brigade finally came to their rescue.

Linbian Station deputy station master, Chen Shixian :" We waited for help until seven, the fire brigade arrived at 7:09 AM and got us out. The water was this deep. It came up to my chest. "

< Wholehearted commitment >

Having served at Linbian station for nearly three decades, Chen Shixian is thankful that his family has never nagged him about his absence during the traditional new year holiday.

Linbian Station deputy station master, Chen Shixian :" I don't really get to spend New Year's Eve at home. But my family has been great because they always try and arrange to have dinner with me before time."

" For these men, their work is their home.."

< Getting people home, safe and sound >

As veteran staff of the Taiwan Railway, both Liu and Chen have received awards recognizing their contributions to the island's railway system; it is because of men like these that so many people are able to get home safe and sound.


END：Vegi offerings for ghost month

The seventh month of the lunar calendar in Taiwan is usually marked with ostentatious shows of burning ghost money, and making sacrifices to the gods. But one temple in Yilan has been asking worshipers to bring vegetarian offerings to the altar instead. We'll leave you with these images. Thank you for watching Da Ai Headlines. Goodbye.
2010-09-08 14:51:21