Over the two-day fundraising activity, donors contributed graciously, regardless of gender, age, race, or faith. Not only were there elderly who made a special trip down to donate but there were also parents who brought their children to contribute to the noble cause. (Photo by Chai Yu Leong)
Stationed at locations such as temples, wet markets, and bus stops, volunteers earnestly urged passersby to donate. With the slogan “Help Turkish citizens rebuild their homes with your little act of kindness. Send love to Turkey”, volunteers hoped that their fundraising efforts would help the Turkish regain normality in their lives soon.
On 6 February 2023, the Turkish-Syrian border experienced a 7.8-magnitude earthquake. It caused an estimated 50,000 casualties and 21,000 destroyed buildings, affecting more than 14 million people’s daily lives. The total economic cost of the earthquake was difficult to estimate.
Tzu Chi immediately responded by activating humanitarian aid resources and launched efforts to distribute relief aid and provide additional support. Simultaneously, Tzu Chi volunteers all over the world began fundraising efforts, with Tzu Chi Merit Organization (Singapore) Ltd. actively applying for a fundraising permit that lasted until the end of March. Apart from the physical fundraising efforts on the 5th and 19th of March, other modes of fundraising included online donations and accepting donations at various Tzu Chi premises, etc. The physical fundraising activity on the streets was the first for Tzu Chi in four years, given the pandemic. People of different ages, races, and faiths had come forth to support the cause. Not only did the elderly come to donate, but parents also brought their children to drop off some dollar notes and coins. Everyone was full of love and wanted to do their part to help the Turkish victims overcome their hardships.
Donors can also opt to donate their money online by scanning the QR code on the poster. (Photo by Chan May Ching)
Blessed with fine weather, donations keep pouring in
Before the street fundraising activity, Singapore experienced consecutive days of heavy rain. On the morning of 5 March, even though the skies were gloomy with heavy cloud cover, it did not rain! Volunteers were elated that the weather was in their favour and seized the opportunity to raise more funds.
At the famous Kwan Im Thong Hood Cho Temple, there was already a growing crowd of people who arrived for prayers at 7 am. Chen Yu Ping, an American who came to Singapore on a business trip, came to visit the temple during her break. From a distance, she spotted Tzu Chi volunteers holding fundraising boxes and moved forward to make some donations. She shared that she knew of Tzu Chi from a fundraising event in the USA, and the volunteers’ acts of kindness warmed her heart. She was surprised to meet Tzu Chi volunteers again across the globe, and exclaimed that it was indeed affinity. Ms Chen further elaborated that Tzu Chi volunteers’ contributions to society are seen by all, and she wanted to do her part to help the earthquake victims in Turkey.
In front of the famous Kwan Im Thong Hood Cho Temple, many devotees who came to pray also donated to convey their love and help the Turkish citizens affected by the earthquake. (Photo by Pan Zai Xiang)
Virona Rabino, a Filipina who has been working in Singapore for the past six years, also donated to the cause. She was able to empathise with the victims of the earthquake after seeing the photos on the donation poster as the Philippines is prone to natural disasters such as cyclones. By donating, she hopes that her little contribution can help Turkey.
Sobus, a Bangladeshi worker, took out his dollar note to donate without hesitation. He noticed the volunteers raising funds for Turkey and felt that people leading safe and peaceful lives like him should lend a helping hand.
Another anonymous Bangladeshi who works for a cleaning company noticed the Tzu Chi volunteers and donated five dollars before he started his cleaning work. Even though he did not understand Chinese, he understood the word “Türkiye” on the donation poster and immediately donated to convey his love.
A Bangladeshi cleaning worker stops by to donate to the noble cause. (Photo by Yang Wen Ting)
Instilling the virtue of gratitude from young
As the weather improved, there were more people on the streets. As volunteers’ appeals for donations became louder, their donation boxes also got heavier.
A young boy Ahmad was waiting for his mother at the wet market with his father Masyudi, when they saw the Tzu Chi volunteers. Even though Ahmad did not understand where the donations would go, he still wanted to donate and asked his father for some spare change. When asked why he wanted to donate money, he shyly replied, “I want to help others”.
The father stood by and watched his son's good deeds, showing a gratified smile on his face. He said that he had been teaching his children to be content since they were small and that they should share what they have with others. "When we have more, we should try to help others," he said.
Ten-year-old Chen Yong Xi went shopping with his mother, who gave him some dollar notes to put into the donation box. Chen Yong Xi had seen news coverage of the earthquake in Turkey at school and was struck by the suffering of the victims.
"They experienced an earthquake, their houses collapsed, and the weather was cold. If we can help others, we should try our best to help each other," he said. "Teachers and parents have taught us to lend a helping hand to people in need and to cooperate with each other."
Maslinda, a mother with an autistic son, encouraged her son to put money into the donation box whenever they see a fundraising activity on the street. Raising a child with autism has been challenging for Maslinda, but she is determined to bring hope to those who are suffering.
"Although my son's situation is not the same as the victims of natural disasters or families in need, he has received a lot of help along the way," she said. "This has led him to want to give back to the community personally."
Diana's family encountered Tzu Chi’s fundraising volunteers on their way to the market and asked their four-year-old daughter to donate money to the donation box. Diana was deeply affected by the news of the earthquake in Türkiye and wanted to do something to help.
"I have often seen heart-breaking stories caused by the earthquake in the media," she said. "An impermanence that struck at that moment has separated many families forever, and my heart goes out to those affected families. I hope that our small donation can send love and kindness to Türkiye."
Ahmad, a young Malay boy (front row, first from the right), saw the team of Tzu Chi volunteers while waiting for his mother in the market. He wanted to donate money and asked his father for change, which he then put into the donation box. Ahmad's kind gesture was a reflection of his desire to help others in need. (Photo by Ong Yue Chen)
Many a little makes a mickle
Madam Huang, who was in a wheelchair, made a special trip to Kwan Im Thong Hood Cho Temple on this day to pray for blessings. She donated some money without being asked. Her husband passed away a couple of years ago and her children have all grown up. She has been living a frugal life alone for many years, relying on welfare funds distributed by the government every month.
Despite her financial situation, Madam Huang still wished to help others within her capacity. "It is okay to eat smaller meals and put aside money to help others!" she said. Small amounts of money can bring about greater good. She believes that many a little makes a mickle, and the most important thing is to share kindness.
Roslan, who was riding a mobility scooter, saw the fundraising event and did not hesitate to donate money. Although he can only work three days a week due to his disability, he believes that he is capable of helping people in need.
"Singapore is a very accessible country. I can travel around smoothly in my scooter," Roslan said.
"However, it hurts me to know from the news that the Turkish people are living a far more difficult life than me. I may not have the means to donate large amounts of money, but even the five dollars that I donated will find its way to someone who needs it."
Roslan (first from the right), who has a mobility issue, is pictured in the photo riding his mobility scooter and showing no hesitation to donate money at the fundraising event. (Photo by Holly Foong)
Giving without seeking anything in return
"I'm not tired! Turkish victims need all the support they can get. Since we have the opportunity to help them, we should seize it," said 80-year-old volunteer Hoo Soo Moi.
Hoo Soo Moi and other volunteers had been standing in the square with signboards and donation boxes since 7 am. Despite advocating for the cause and expressing gratitude to those who showed their support for nearly five hours, they remained high-spirited.
"With an understanding heart for the sake of the victims, I can pull through even if my feet ache," Hoo Soo Moi said. Passers-by were moved by the enthusiasm of the elderly volunteers and generously gave, prompting Hoo Soo Moi to exclaim, "Singaporeans are very caring!"
80-year-old Hoo Soo Moi (second from the left) and other volunteers have been fundraising since 7 am. Despite advocating for the cause for nearly five hours, they remained high-spirited. (Photo by Fong Kwai Kin)
Zhou Ya Jing, who was participating in street fundraising for the first time, stood in front of the traffic lights outside a coffee shop at Hougang Street 61, shouting, "Send love to Türkiye. Gather the love of Singaporeans and send it to Türkiye."
She said, "There's no time to be shy! We must help with such a big disaster."
Zhou Ya Jing praised Singapore as a country full of love with an endless stream of donations, particularly from the elderly, who are especially willing to help others. She also believes that street fundraising can reach more people than online fundraising, as those who are not computer-literate can take the initiative to go to the street.
Zhou Ya Jing who is participating in street fund-raising for the first time isn’t shy at all. She said, "We must help with such a big disaster." (Photo by Yang Wen Ting)
Another volunteer named Chen Xiao Si was moved by the sincerity of people who came down to donate despite the fluctuating weather. When it rained, many people sought shelter under the eaves to withdraw money from their wallets before returning to donate when the weather cleared up. Some hesitated to donate when the traffic light turned green but they still donated eventually when they saw another opportunity. Even the elderly and those with mobility issues insisted on donating.
"Street fundraising not only raises charity funds but also gathers the love from the public that brings hope to the victims. Even in the darkest of times, there's always hope," said Chen Xiao Si.
It's been over a month since the earthquake shattered Turkey and Syria, and the road to reconstruction in the disaster areas is long and difficult. Nonetheless, Tzu Chi volunteers' love will continue to shine. Let us all play a part in spreading love and accumulating merit bit by bit to send our blessings to those who are experiencing tough times.
(Reported by: Yan Su Yan, Foo Chai Chiwn, Yang Wen Ting, Lai Tong Heng, Holly Foong)
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