20 years of Tzu Chi in the USA - Two Decades of Love and Compassion

20 years of Tzu Chi in the USA - Two Decades of Love and Compassion ---




It has been two decades since Tzu Chi's first chapter office was founded in the United States in 1989. In a moment, we'll take a look back at Tzu Chi's medical mission in the US, which started in 1993. But first, we see how volunteers from the Taiwanese NGO have been planting roots through their charity work. In July 2001, the US headquarters officially opened, though faced with many challenges, it has blossomed since, as recognition of Tzu Chi in the USA grew stronger.

9/11 put new HQ to the test
In July 2001, Tzu Chi's US headquarters officially opened in Los Angeles. A few months later, the attack on the World Trade Center in New York, put it to the test.

Tzu Chi US HQ executive director, Ge Jishe:
"In July when we officially opened, to the 11th of September, when 9/11 happened, for us was a great challenge. It forced the US headquarters to mature very quickly."

Volunteers rose to the challenge
Tzu Chi organized its first nationwide rapid response to a major disaster. Volunteers told the then mayor of New York, Rudy Giuliani, how they brought relief to people affected by the attacks.

Partnerships with local NGOs bloomed
9/11 was the first time Tzu Chi cooperated with the Red Cross, the Salvation Army, and other local NGOs. The partnership with the Red Cross was cemented when Tzu Chi signed a memorandum of understanding in June 2008.

American Red Cross senior director, Juliet Choi:
"Because we have our partnership of being able to work together in the immediate disaster response, I think a lot of our clients and communities were able to recover in a much more meaningful holistic way, so the partnership has been tremendously invaluable."

Side by side in disaster situations
Following Hurricane Katrina in 2005, Hurricane Ike in 2008, and annual wildfires in Los Angeles, Tzu Chi and the Red Cross have continued to work side by side. In cooperation with the umbrella group VOAD, Tzu Chi set up beds in a temporary shelter for people displaced by Hurricane Ike. The respectful way volunteers delivered aid made a deep impression.

Texas VOAD president, Nikki Beneke:
"When Tzu Chi comes in, they give them such a feeling of comfort, and such a feeling of calm, and such a feeling of caring; and when they give them the blanket, it's just the most amazing experience to see the people's faces light up, and the warmth that it brings to them."

Tzu Chi wins full recognition
But winning recognition in the United States has not been easy.

TC US HQ administrative secretary, Hang Hankui:
"It was hard. Those mainstream organizations did not recognize, or hadn't even heard about Tzu Chi. But by 2007, their understanding and recognition of us had reached a very developed stage."

Through their good work, Tzu Chi volunteers in the US are now working in close cooperation with local disaster relief agencies. It has been a long hard road, but a path worth taking.

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