Buddhist Compassion Relief Tzu Chi Foundation

Due to the COVID-19 restrictions, Tzu Chi Adelaide volunteers could only travel to Kangaroo Island to distribute the aids and reliefs 6 months after the bushfire disaster. A group of 20 Tzu Chi volunteers reached the distribution site on 29 August, carefully unloaded the supplies and set up the site to ensure that the restrictions round social distancing are observed in preparation for the distribution the following day. 38 families attended this event and received Eftpos gift cards, eco-blankets, publication of Jing Si Aphorism and blessing letter from Dharma Master Cheng Yen. Our volunteers also posted aid packages to another 26 families who were unable to attend at the distribution centre. Despite after half a year, those affected residents are still saddened by their losses. Many shed tears of gratefulness when they received Tzu Chi aid packages. Mayor Michael Pengilly attended the event to better understand Tzu Chi’s distribution activities. Our volunteers introduced the story of the bamboo bank and explained that the emergency relief funds were funded by members’ donations through ad-hoc donation appeals and longer-term contributions. Tzu Chi volunteers gathered to care about families affected by disasters, so that they can soon recover and resume their livelihoods.