Written and Photographed by Hong Jing-Ru Translated by: Gloria Chou Proofread by: Agness Tsao
From left Chang Qioung-Mei, Kao Li-Ling, Tseng Yung-Chung, they flew from USA to Taiwan to participate and volunteer in TIMA convention.
Volunteers, Chang Qioung-Mei and Tseng Yung-Chung, from Tzu Chi USA Headquarter and Kao Li-Ling from New Jersey Chapter gathered to attend TIMA 2018 (Tzu Chi International Medical Association). They recorded TIMA Conference through words and images; apart from learning and exchange documenting experiences the team also observed and had hands-on work to prepare for TIMA Forum which will be held in California, USA in March (2019).
“Later on, we will discuss the interview which will be made with Dr. Antonia Say.” “The background research of interviewee Ian Krajcovic at noon has been found, everyone come and have a look!” The three of them concentrated on the subject at work area. During the five days of TIMA convention, they will need to provide Mandarin Chinese-English bilingual skills to work together with each partner to achieve the documentary.
Kou Li-Ling is a medical volunteer from New Jersey, she as a first timer participated TIMA and accomplished interviewing task while enjoying the hard and busy work. As a medical technician, she first met Tzu Chi in 1995, now all three of her children had all grown up; therefore she put even more efforts into volunteering. “At the time New Jersey Chapter received an electrocardiograph machine but was unable to find anyone who can operate it; she joined the medical team after knowing about it. She afterwards follows everyone to do community free-clinic and visit fellow Tzu Chi members.” Sister Li-Ling believes although there are task groups according to skill, every volunteer is multitalented. She hopes to join international disaster relief one day.
Tseng Yung-Chung aged 64, certified in 2005, one of the volunteers at the USA Headquarter, long time service at East Los Angles charity team, very experienced in administrative work, also writes, records and editing films. During the distribution relief he carried 40lb rice bags with ease. He is a computer software engineer, and only stared Chinese typing after he joined Tzu Chi, wishes to record all the volunteer work for Tzu Chi as a record. “I like the feeling of working together, because when everyone put in a little, as a group we can achieve more than imagined.” He already signed up to do recording for TIMA forum that will be held in Los Angles next March.
Sister Chang Qioung-Mei from USA Headquarter has been volunteering for more than 20 years. She mainly serves around southern Los Angles in California. Due to 90% of the vulnerable residents are of Mexican immigrants, therefore she becomes the first person to train Spanish volunteers. “Now we have three Spanish members, one of them used to be our home visitation recipient, now she is a Tzu Chi member that can handle major tasks unaided, do more and help more people. This is one of the incentives that supported me to continue inviting local volunteer.” This recipient has been in the US for 20 years, but only the past two years she started to learn English. When asked, she thinks speaking English is not required to survive, however, to communicate with Tzu Chi volunteers and understand Master’s teaching, English is required. Sister Chang was very touched. Apart from community aid work, she also has passion in photographing, through it she hopes to spread the peace and love.
Received interviewing task, the trio grasp the time, discuss task diligent and interviewing questions.
Night of Sept. 22th, the trio interviewed Czech Ian Krajcovic from USA (right), clinical nurse.