Buddhist Compassion Relief Tzu Chi Foundation

In 2015, the Taiwan Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation distributed nearly 100 tons of rice in Syria and benefited more than 4,700 households. The rice was given to a variety of people -- Syrian refugees, impoverished Bedouin families and local charity organizations -- regardless of differences in religion, nationality and race.

To bring the much needed food to the refugees who are scattered in various parts of Jordan, the foundation organized several large-scaled aid distributions in Al Mafra, Za'Atari, Al Qawasmeh, Wadi Abdoum, Dulay, Al-Aghwar, Ramtha, Manar, Aibishrya, Amir Ali, As Safawi, Ar-Ruwayshid, Al Thaghrah, Al Abasyiah, Wadi Feynan, Wadi Rum, Amman, Al Zarqa and Irbid. They benefited an estimated 4,758 households.

In a spirit of mutual cooperation, the foundation also provided rice to local charities, including the Hashemite charity organization, the Annoor Sanatorium, the Mafraq orphanage home, the Young Muslim Women Association Center for Special Education (YMWA)and the Ajloun orphanage home.

"We feel grateful to have rice donated from Tzu Chi Foundation, which will benefit patients and staff in Annoor Sanatorium" said Aileen Coleman, co-founder of the sanatorium.

From Receiving to Giving Love

During the distribution of rice and other daily items to the Syrian refugees and the impoverished Bedouin families, Tzu Chi often shared with them stories of love and care.

Satanai and Janssit are daughters of a long-term Tzu Chi care recipient. During the weekends, they came to help as their way of showing gratitude. During volunteering, the two sisters learnt that the relief items came from donations that were saved penny by penny and that some were from donors in no better financial situation. Satanai and Janssit followed suit and started to save small amounts of money into a coin bank. The volunteers who have watched them growing up were very pleased by their loving hearts.

This is one of many examples where love and care can inspire and empower care recipients, so that they become joyful and willing donors and give help to others in need.

Rice distributions in Jordan by Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation in 2015

Date	Location of Distribution/Institution	Amount (ton)	Number of Benefited Households
06/24	Hashemite charity organization	15.00	N/A
06/26	Mafraq orphanage home	2.00	200
06/26	Za’Atari refugee camp	0.50	50
06/26	Annoor Sanatorium	1.00	N/A
07/03	Al Qawasmeh,Wadi Abdoum	2.30	230
07/07	Young Muslim Women Association Center for Special Education(YMWA)	1.00	N/A
07/10	Dulay	2.00	100
07/31	Al-Aghwar	24.00	1,200
08/07	Ramtha	6.00	300
08/14	Ajloun orphanage home	0.50	N/A
09/04	Manar, Aibishrya	6.80	2,000
09/04	Amir Ali	13.20
09/05	As Safawi	7.50
09/05	Ar-Ruwayshid	10.00
10/09	Al Thaghrah, Al Abasyiah, Wadi Rum	2.08	208
10/10	Wadi Feynan	1.20	120
10/23	Al Zarqa	2.00	100
10/28	Amman	1.00	100
10/28	Irbid	1.50	150