
It was a day of joy and gratitude for the families, from seven tribal communities in the mountainous Wutai and Sandimen townships; they had been living in temporary accommodation for the last 12 months, since Morakot destroyed their homes on August 8 last year. Elders from the Rukai tribe performed a christening ceremony, to signify completion of the project. Work began in April and was completed in just over three months; it was built thanks to the generosity of Tzu Chi volunteers around the world who contributed money and to the hard work of the professional construction crew. The residents will no longer have to worry about natural disasters; all the homes were built to withstand the earthquakes, typhoons and rainstorms which regularly hit Taiwan.

Taiwan's President Ma Yingjiu came in person to attend the historic moment and convey his blessings. "I have a personal message to the Tzu Chi Foundation,” he said. “We thank Tzu Chi for promoting a world of universal love, where everyone can contribute, and helping to create a loving society. I hope every one will enjoy their new residences and turn them into real homes."
Tzu Chi Foundation Vice President Lin Biyu said: "Along the way, it has really been ‘cultivating compassion in the face of adversity and testing wisdom in adapting to change’. We Tzu Chi people ask for nothing in return. We only wish for the Earth to be free of disasters and for all living things of the world to enjoy peace and harmony. We also hope that there be no more victims of disaster and everyone may live happily ever after."
On Tuesday August 3, the foundation completed the Yujing Da Ai (Great Love) community in Tainan County in southeast Taiwan, which houses 26 families. That was the third and the Changzhi settlement the fourth community which the foundation built in the south of Taiwan for the survivors of Typhoon Morakot. It completed the other two, Shanlin and Gaoshu, earlier in the year. In the four communities, nearly 1,000 families have received new homes free of charge. The money for the construction came from donations from members of the foundation in 52 countries around the world.
The Changzhi Baihe Settlement is ready!
Newer news items:
- 58 Families From Laiyi Tribe Move Into New Homes Built by Tzu Chi
- Tzu Chi Completes Second Phase of Community for Taiwan Typhoon Victims
- Tzu Chi Begins Work on New Homes for New Lai Yi Tribe
- Foundation Starts 2nd Phrase of Village For Typhoon Survivors
Older news items:
- Taiwan Aboriginals Celebrate Dance, Song in New Home
- Foster Home Carers Receive New Home
- President Visits Great Love Village for Typhoon Survivors
- Foundation Starts Fourth Village for Typhoon Morakot Survivors