Tagbilaran City, Bohol – On April 3, 2024, Taiwan was rocked by a powerful magnitude 7.4 earthquake which centered off the east coast of the country near the mountainous Hualien County where the headquarters of the Tzu Chi Foundation is situated. The quake resulted to widespread devastation with landslides, buildings collapsing and thousands of casualties. The catastrophic event left many communities in despair, grappling with the loss of lives and infrastructures. In response to this tragedy, the Tzu Chi Bohol Foundation, recognizing the urgent need for assistance, has embarked on a mission to extend support to their fellow brothers and sisters in Taiwan.
On April 6, 2024, with the help of one volunteer, eight staff, thirteen Tzu Chi Youth, and twenty scholars, set off to 6 different malls in Tagbilaran City for a donation drive activity. They were divided into groups and were stationed at the entrances of the shopping malls while holding Tzu Chi donation boxes and other paraphernalia. The Tzu Chi Scholars, Youths and Volunteers bow in front of people showing gratitude for sharing amounts taken from the change in their grocery money.
Many kind-hearted individuals donated money to help the people in Hualien. One of them was Herminia Cadeliรฑa, a teacher in Loon South District. She said, “Our school got help during the Bohol earthquake, so I want to help too. I’m giving money because they also helped us and our fellow Filipinos. I hope everyone in Taiwan is safe and doing well.”
The Tzu Chi scholars who joined the donation campaign were happy to be able to help. Jessa Ugpo, one of the scholars, said, “This is my first time joining a donation drive, and I wanted to help the people in Taiwan who need support.”
Rudmark Renion, another Tzu Chi scholar, said, “We’re here in the malls to help our brothers and sisters in Taiwan who were affected by the earthquake. We hope they stay strong and don’t lose hope.”
Despite the distance between Hualien, Taiwan, and Bohol, the generosity of the Bohol residents in donating money touched the hearts of the scholars and volunteers involved in the campaign. Altogether, the donors contributed a total of โฑ28,338 to support the cause.
The donation drive for the earthquake victims served as a bridge connecting the people of Bohol to the earthquake-stricken communities in Taiwan. Through this activity, the hearts of many were touched, and extended their hands in any amount of donation they have given with hope for the affected people to continue living life with optimism and recover from this tormenting experience.
