Dozens of Asian Christian Youth Activists Visited Tzu Chi Center

Dozens of Christian Youth Activist from various countries in Asia to get to know more about Tzu Chi at Tzu Chi Center Jakarta, Wednesday, July 12 2017.

Fifty one Christian youth activists from Youth in Asia Training for Religious Amity (YATRA) visited Tzu Chi Indonesia this afternoon. They come from various countries in Asia such as Myanmar, China, Japan, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, New Zealand, and Australia. Some facilitators of this activity are from United States.

“The arrival of these young Asian churchgoers to Tzu Chi is a part of their training to learn working collaboratively people of different religion beliefs to find common humanity roots,” explain Erich Von Martin, the coordinator of YATRA.

“Why did we choose Tzu Chi? Lately, we have heard a lot about the work of Tzu Chi in Indonesia and in various part of the world, we believe this is the strong manifestation of humanity. We also discover that Tzu Chi work with people of different religions, countries, background. As long as people need them, Tzu Chi will help,” said Erich Von Martin in Tzu Chi Center, Pantai Indah Kapuk Jakarta on Wednesday, July 12 2017.

During the visit, Tzu Chi volunteers introduced Tzu Chi history and four main missions of Tzu Chi, i.e. Charity Mission, Medical Mission, Education Mission and Humanistic Culture Mission. The church activists were also invited to see Jing Si Exhibition hall which tells the journey of Tzu Chi since it was first founded by Master Cheng Yen until now.

"This visit was proposed by Sekolah Tinggi Teologi Jakarta, the facilitator of Asian Christian Youth gathering because they see how love is spread by the collaboration of interfaith people in Indonesia," said Andre Zulman from the Secretariat of Buddha Tzu Chi Foundation.

Thomas Geevarghese (Middle, second to right) impressed by a real example from Master Cheng Yen.

Wing Wa from Hongkong already heard about Tzu Chi before. But this visit make her knows more about Tzu Chi.

For Thomas Geevarghese (26) who came from Kerala City, India, Master Cheng Yen is a role model. "We absolutely need a role model in our neighborhood. Normally, it is very easy to preach but Master Chengyen does not only preach, she also practices what she preaches and she really means to help people in need.” Said Thomas.  

Thomas also admired Tzu Chi with its plentiful volunteers. "This is a good concept to ask to me. The Commitment and dedication of this volunteer is an example for young people who easily follow the wrong path," Said Thomas.

During question and answer session, young church activists generally express their surprise and enthusiasm upon knowing Tzu Chi’s contribution in Indonesia. They knew Indonesia is the largest Muslim country in the world, but the contribution of Tzu Chi in the community is obvious and it touched the hearts of many people.

"I think that is really something good. Volunteers directly arrive at different places suffering from calamities to extend immediate help. Efficiency and management is the first thing to do. Not only in Jakarta, but also in Aceh just now and other provinces," said Wing Wa (32) from Hongkong.

Translated by Samuel Wiguna

Editor: Caroline Widjanarko (Tzu Chi School)