One Mind, One Thought, One Purpose in Dealing with Covid-19

Jakarta Governor, Anies Baswedan attended the occasion and thanked Tzu Chi Indonesia which has been actively involved in helping the Covid-19 outbreak. 

After more than two weeks distributing aid for Covid-19 handling together with Ministry of Health and the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB), appreciation toward this effort by Tzu Chi was praised by many parties. Thankful notes were coming from the community, donaturs, and government officials.

For example,Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan in his Instagram account @aniesbaswedan stated:

• Alhamdulillah, tonight arrived 100 thousand rapid-testing tools and 50 thousand masks to be used in Jakarta.
• Thank you to the Indonesian Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation. On Saturday they informed, and according to plan: Monday arrived in Jakarta.
• They are very orderly, all are distributed first through the National Task Force and then forwarded to the Task Force in Jakarta. This orderly process keeps all activities well organized.

On another occasion, on 1 April, Governor Anies also came to the Covid-19 Rapid Test conducted by Tzu Chi Indonesia and Agung Sedayu Group (ASG) on Golf Island, PIK, North Jakarta. On this occasion, he again gave appreciation to Tzu Chi.

In his Instagram account, Anies Baswedan again emphasized the role of Tzu Chi Indonesia in supporting the government, especially the DKI Jakarta Regional Government in tackling the Corona outbreak.

"I especially want to express my gratitude and appreciation to the Buddha Tzu Chi Foundation for being among the earliest to help. The support is also not half-hearted and serious, we in Jakarta feel their effort very well getting a Rapid Test kit and mask drop in an amount that really can be utilized by all the people of Jakarta. So we really appreciate the speed and also the volume of support, since speed without the proper amount of will only benefit a little. But this is very useful, and it will be recorded in our history that the Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation did this extraordinarily, "said Governor Anies Baswedan.

Appreciation also came from West Java Governor Ridwan Kamil on his Instagram account @ridwankamil for receiving help from Tzu Chi.

         THANK YOU & HATUR NUHUN

• To the Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation, which donated 50 thousand Covid-19 Rapid Test kit to West Java.
• This Rapid Test Kit complements the Rapid Test sent by the Ministry of Health. This rapid test has been and is currently being used in 27 regions of West Java. The results provide a more accurate new map related to the spread of the Covid-19 virus to be followed up.
• Once again, we thank you for the solidarity of humanity. Hopefully this kindness gets a double response. Aamiin

Aside from these two regions, Tzu Chi also distributed aid to 26 cities in Indonesia such as in Jabodetabek area (Jakarta, Bogor, Depok, Tangerang, dan Bekasi), Aceh, Bandung, Cianjur, Surabaya, Medan, Padang, Lampung, Palembang, Jambi, Pekanbaru, Batam, Makassar, Manado, Palu, Singkawang (West Kalimantan), Waikabubak (East Nusa Tenggara), as well as Biak, Nabire, Serui, Merauke dan Sorong (Papua).

Tzu Chi’s medical assistance have been distributed to 26 cities in Indonesia such as in Jabodetabek area (Jakarta, Bogor, Depok, Tangerang, dan Bekasi), Aceh, Bandung, Cianjur, Surabaya, Medan, Padang, Lampung, Palembang, Jambi, Pekanbaru, Batam, Makassar, Manado, Palu, Singkawang (West Kalimantan), Waikabubak (East Nusa Tenggara), as well as Biak, Nabire, Serui, Merauke dan Sorong (Papua).

In the first stage as of 30 March 2020, Tzu Chi Indonesia has distributed more than 1,759,000 surgical masks, 3,000 personal protective clothing (hazmat suit), 7 ventilator units, 640 liters of disinfectant fluid, and 157 disinfecting sprayer units, as well as together with the Indonesian Ministry of Health and the Coronavirus Handling Task Force (Covid-19) distributed 646,520 rapid test kits of 185 hospitals and 17 government agencies.

In supporting the contingency of providing aid, Tzu Chi Indonesia is also currently procuring relief items to be distributed in the Second Stage as follows: 75,020 protective clothing (Coverall Hazmat), 80,000 medical goggles, 120 ventilator units, and 20,000 N95 masks.

Assistance was provided to various hospitals, health centers, and government agencies dealing with the corona virus outbreak.

These aid came from people who are rich in compassion: sincere donors, as well as Indonesian businessmen under the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce (Kadin) together with the Tzu Chi Foundation, who raised 500 billion rupiah in funds to help tackle the coronavirus pandemic (Covid -19). The funds are used to buy various equipment and medical team equipment as the spearhead in handling the Covid-19 outbreak in Indonesia.

People with Compassion
In relation to people with rich heart full of compassion, Master Cheng Yen’s message during the Committee Inauguration on 14 November 2018, Master continued to appreciate Tzu Chi Indonesia’s volunteers:

Tzu Chi volunteers continue to share lessen people’s burden, including their help in time of Corona.

"Human life is impermanent, when we have the opportunity to do good, we should grasp that opportunity well. I consider every day to be the last day of life. I am tolerant in the face of life and death, but I still wholeheartedly use every second in this world to accomplish everything."

"Before you (volunteers) joined Tzu Chi, you were busy with your own business. Even if they know each other, they often interact and attend parties, but family relations will not be that close. Now you are gathered together with feelings that are not made up, because you all have the same mission."

For those who at that time were mostly big businessmen who had a group of companies, of course time was very valuable for everyone, but since everyone was willing to make contributions to the people, Tzu Chi's missions were able to develop so rapidly in Indonesia.

"Human life is impermanent, when we have the opportunity to do good, we should grasp that opportunity well." This Jing Si Aphorism by Master Cheng Yen is what encourages volunteers to contribute.

"Everyone who sits here is a rich and noble person, a rich person who is rich in mind. Besides having worldly possessions, it is also rich in compassion. Noble due to the will to step on the Bodhisattva Road, truly do good for the benefit of the world, unlike making money for worldly pleasures. Your life is really valuable."

Thus was expressed by Master Cheng Yen.
Beyond this, it is indeed fortunate to be an Indonesian, a country rich in diversity of different tribes, races, and religions. Indonesian people who are accustomed and very familiar with differences do not hesitate to help each other. So that various donations are so lively and successful in helping those in need. Including during pandemic like now where all elements of society join hands to share love. Either through material, thought, and energy. No wonder that Indonesia has been named the most generous country according to the Charities Aid Foundation (CAF), a charity in the UK.

Until now, Tzu Chi Indonesia continues to raise awareness from the public in tackling the Covid-19 virus outbreak in Indonesia. Together We Can Overcome Coronavirus Outbreak.

As Indonesians we can be proud for a moment, but don't stop sharing love for others.

So, stay diverse, stay motivated, stay kind, and still be useful. Let's join forces together so we can overcome the Covid-19 outbreak.

Your help and support are still very much needed. The Medical Team (doctors, nurses, and others) is the backbone of the handling of the Covid-19 outbreak. It is appropriate that we maintain and protect them with adequate medical equipment and supplies.

Channel your concerns through:
Bank BCA Account Number 865 002 4681an.
Beneficiary name:  Yayasan Buddha Tzu Chi Indonesia
Beneficiary address: Bank BCA Pantai Indah Kapuk