Each year, before Lunar New Year, Tzu Chi Singapore Branch would hold a charity fair to raise funds for its charity fund. Early on in the year, just as the preparation work of the charity fair was getting underway, a devastating earthquake struck Haiti, and that initiated a change in the objective of the event.

Before the official opening of the charity fair, CEO Brother David Liu led the volunteers in praying for the earthquake victims in Haiti and for a world without calamities.

Many people brought along their family to give their support to the charity fair. Besides enjoying the delectable vegetarian food and shopping for Chinese New Year goodies, the people could also make use of the opportunity to help the victims in Haiti.

Lots of glowing red lanterns can be seen around the fair site, bringing out a fine atmosphere of Chinese New Year around the scene.

Over at the corner of Jing Si Publication, the volunteers are introducing its array of wholesome products to the general public.

The graceful displays at the recruitment area allow the general public to know more about the vision and missions of Tzu Chi.

The wide variety of vegetarian food stalls left the guests with a pleasant surprise as they experienced the tastiness of vegetarian food.

Patrons were generous in giving to the cause to help Haiti.

After knowing that fund raised from the charity fair was for Haiti, Mr Heng increased his donation from 600 kg of rice to 1300 kg with the hope that more fund can be raised for the victims in Haiti.

Although unable to sit for a long period of time, Mr Ong (first from left) insisted on helping out with the plate-clearing right from the start till the very end during the two days of the fair.

The little bodhisattvas from the Children Enrichment Class were also at the scene to present a sign language performance titled “Love and Care” to give blessings to the victims in Haiti. Many people showed their support by stopping by to view the performance.

The devastating earthquake in Haiti left the world shell-shocked. In response, Tzu Chi communities around the world have started the “Help Haiti with Love” fundraising campaign. Tzu Chi Foundation (Singapore Branch) responded to the calling of Master Cheng Yen by appealing to all volunteers and members to do their utmost in spreading the message of the ongoing relief efforts in Haiti.

In recent activities, including those from year-end blessing ceremonies, volunteers training sessions, entrepreneur group get-together, community recycling activities, and door-to-door visits, Tzu Chi volunteers and members can be spotted actively sharing updates of the relief efforts in Haiti and raising fund from the public.

Fund raised to channel to relief effort

The constant stream of love has flow on to the upcoming big-scale charity fair. For the past few years, before the arrival of Lunar New Year, Tzu Chi Singapore would hold a charity fair. Besides attracting more members, it also facilitates in the raising of local charity fund.

Early on in the year, just as the preparation work of the Great Love Charity Fair was getting underway, a devastating earthquake struck Haiti. After receiving this piece of shocking news, Tzu Chi Singapore submitted an application to the Ministry of Communication Development, Youth and Sports (MCYS) to request for all the fund raised to be donated to Tzu Chi’s relief work in Haiti. It was also done with the hope of helping the Haitian victims get back on their feet, which further deepen the significance of the charity fair.

The charity fair was held on 30 and 31 January 2010 at the open field diagonally opposite Jing Si Hall (Tzu Chi Singapore Branch office).

Before the official opening, echo from the solemn song “Prayer” can be heard from high rise estates around the neighborhood. CEO of Tzu Chi Singapore, Brother David Liu led the volunteers in praying for greater kindness, for the Haitians to rebuild their homes as soon as possible and also for a world without calamity.

The CEO urged the volunteers to bring about success to the charity fair with a thankful heart and well-wishes for the Haitian victims. The charity fair then began amidst the solemn atmosphere.    
A total of 60 vegetarian stalls and more than 20 stalls selling Chinese New Year goodies were lined up under the spacious and eye-catching white tentage. Despite the hot weather, a continuous flow of patrons can be seen coming to the site.

Items normally associated with Chinese New Year such as tangerines, pussy willows, orchid bonsais and spring couplets, along with stalls decorated in line with the Chinese New Year theme created a fine atmosphere of the Spring Festival. The wide range of goods was all selflessly donated by local merchants. Furthermore, the various variety of palatable vegetarian food at each of the food stalls also brought about a pleasant surprise to the guests.

Apart from that, fair goers could find a delicate corner filled with elegant display of Jing Si Publication and another admission area with cordial volunteers ready to give in-depth introduction about Tzu Chi and guide the public to join as Tzu Chi donating members and/or volunteers. A “thrift shop” stall was also specially set up to sell secondhand items gathered through Tzu Chi’s recycling station!

Amassing love and kindness

The two-day charity fair saw an encouraging turnout of more than 1,400 volunteers and 13,000 people. There were also strong support from the general public, merchants and care recipients as they came forward to contribute for this worthy cause of helping Haiti with Love.

“After learning that the fund raised from the charity fair would be donated to the relieve effort for Haiti, many merchants gladly increased their contributions,” revealed Brother Low Swee She, overall coordinator of the charity fair.

Organic rice dealer Mr Heng Guan Hou was among one of such merchants.

Eight years ago, Mr Heng was attracted to visit a book fair event organized by Tzu Chi. He was treated with a fragrant bowl of “Venerable Rice” by the volunteers. The ingredients that made up the simple stir-fry dish consist of just rice and soy sauce, but the sincere attitude of the volunteers and the exceptional humanity teaching of Tzu Chi left Mr Heng feeling very touched.

Later on, when he was invited by the volunteers to take part in Tzu Chi’s annual charity fair, he gladly took up the invitation without second thought. Every year, he would donate the organic rice which he deals with. This has been the case for three consecutive years, and it brought about a different level of meaning with the contribution this year going all the way to help Haiti. 

Mr Heng said, “When I heard about the earthquake, I felt compelled to help. So when I were told the fund raised from this charity fair was for Haiti, I increased my donation amount from 600 kg of rice to 1300 kg. I hope more fund can be raised for the victims.”

Warm response to “Help Haiti with Love”

During the charity fair, volunteers holding notice board and collection box can be seen standing at several locations. Their cordial smiles and sincere bows acquired much warm responses. Each of the collection boxes was greatly filled with countless amount of love.

Besides that, there were also people who brought in their cheque or bamboo coin bank to make donation for the relief efforts in Haiti.
            
Zheng Hui Yi got to know about Haiti through her friends in Tzu Chi a few months ago. She was surprised that the Haitians were so poor to the extent that they had to eat “mud pies” to fill their hunger. Terribly shocked by the 13 January earthquake that struck the already impoverished country, Hui Yi was worried about how the Haitians are going to carry on with their lives.

“I feel very upset after I know about the situation in Haiti. Singapore is a very blessed place as we do not lack anything and do not experience natural disasters. We are indeed very lucky,” said Hui Yi, “there is nothing much I can do. I can only hope for the safety of the victims by making donation and sending my well-wishes to them.”

So there she was, specially bringing her bamboo coin bank to the charity fair. Every day, Hui Yi made an effort to save up small change into her bamboo coin bank. The bamboo coin bank she obtained from Tzu Chi a year ago is now filled to the brim and with her turning it in, the monies saved up will all go to help the people in Haiti.

Apart from individual kindness, there were also religious groups making generous financial gift to the cause.

On 30 Jan noon, Chairman Dr Ng Yee Kong and Vice Chairman Chua Chong Jin of the Firefly Mission, a local Buddhist group, specially came to make a donation of $15,650. The money was garnered a few days ago from members of the group.

The principle of Firefly Mission is to promote Buddhism. Dr Ng humbly said that they have been learning from Tzu Chi.
The disaster in Haiti was equally a shocking news for the group. Mr Chua shared that even though Haiti is a long distance away from them, nevertheless, “love should not be constrained”. The group decided to donate to Tzu Chi as they knew that the disaster relief team of Tzu Chi had already arrived in Haiti and the financial aid can be utilized by Tzu Chi to bring about even more welfare for the victims in Haiti.

Wealth from within

When there is a will, anyone can be benevolent and become someone with their palm facing down to help other people. Tzu Chi care recipient Mr Ong is one such person who seizes opportunity to come forward to contribute.

After strenuously putting down his crutches, Mr Ong sat on a little chair and helped out at the dishwashing area. He used a spoon and cleaned up all the food waste on the plates. As the day went by, his feet and clothes were stained by the food waste but that did not bothered him, instead, brim of joys can be seen on his face.
When asked why he was so joyful? His response was that he is touched by the gratefulness and respect shown by the Tzu Chi people – something that he rarely experienced in the past.

As his father was a gangster, Mr Ong did not have a proper upbringing. Getting involved in fights, stealing and taking drugs caused him to be jailed many times. The last jail sentence he served was a long 15 years and he was already 48 years old when released. His family turned a blind eye to him and abandoned him.

He was driven to sheer desperation and had at times slept at the void deck of HDB flats. Fortunately, his friend took him in and gave him a temporary shelter. Now, he rents a small room and lives on the financial aid from Tzu Chi. Besides that, he also makes a modest earning through scavenging. Like a ray of sunshine, the cares showered toward him by the Tzu Chi volunteers have bought warmth to his dejected spirit and provided him with the strength to live on. 

Hit by countless time of strokes and accidents, the man had undergone three times of spinal surgery, which left him with inconvenience of movement and unable to sit for a long period of time. However, during the two days of the charity fair, he insisted to help out right from the start till the very end before returning home.

He mentioned that he was hospitalized for a week during September last year, which caused him to miss out on the Mid-Autumn Charity Fair organized by Tzu Chi. He had waited so long for this charity fair, thus despite the inconvenience of movement and requiring of crutches for support, he still set off early from his home in Bukit Panjang to come to the fair.

Imagine him taking the LRT before taking the MRT and then the shuttle bus in order to get to the fair. Though the journey took nearly two hours, he was not at all disturbed and was very thankful. “I have been looking forward for this charity fair because it gives me an opportunity to contribute,” he said.

He felt that he had been doing bad deeds in the past and what he does now are finally meaningful deeds. Although he was unable to donate money to help the victims in Haiti, he knew he could still come forward and make contribution in other ways. So there he was, giving his time and volunteering his services for the two days of the charity fair.

Natural disaster is merciless but fortunately there is love in the world. The Great Love Charity Fair had pulled together the kindness in everyone. Hopefully this force of kindness can be transformed into a source of great power that would bring warmth and peace to the hearts of the faraway victims, accompanying them to rise above the current plight.